Elvis (1979)

Wow! Such a good movie.

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I Remember when Elvis died. And the Effect it had on the world. My Sister was devastated. And so was her friend. We Watched Elvis give his last ever show done in June of 77. And afterwards Elvis took on a more mythic status. We heard the stories and the myths that sprang up around him. When this movie came out in 1979. My Sister and my brother and I watched it. It got a lot of things right. Some wrong. but it did so with style. Kurt Russell delivers hands down what is the Greatest performance of anyone doing Elvis. John Carpenter hands in one of the best ever bio pics Ever made. The story opens in Jan 8th 1935 as Elvis is born and his twin Jesse Garon is still born. The film chronicles the dirt poor beginnings of the Presley family as they moved to Memphis and Elvis trying to find himself. Elvis isn't widely loved at first. his style of dress. The way he combs his hair and everything about him makes him a target of bullies. Until he uses his guitar and voice and becomes accepted. The movie moves at a breakneck pace so there are things omitted and things glossed over. Given the time line that's understandable. Pat Hingle does a good job as Col. Tom PArker. While Shelley Winters steals the show as Elvis Presley's mother Gladys. The Film adapts the many legends of Elvis. And considering that Before his death Elvis was untouchable. It's understandable that the film didn't dwell on any of the darker aspects of the King's life. But it drives home the point of Elvis being so lonely. trapped by his wealth and fame. But it also touches on the wild side that Elvis had. Any other Elvis Bio films that came after were not as good.. They simply missed the mark. This one hits the mark in every way possible. And it's captivating . If anyone wants to make the definitive Bio pic of Elvis they would do well to check this one out first and see how it's done.

This landmark made for television biography came at a time when the death of the beloved entertainer and pop culture icon was still fresh in peoples' minds. It's written & produced by Anthony Lawrence, who'd written or co-written such Presley film vehicles as "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and "Easy Come, Easy Go", executive produced by Dick Clark, and directed by John Carpenter, who'd recently established himself as a hot property with his hit horror film "Halloween". It's all done with the utmost respect for Elvis, and touches upon various key moments in his life, starting with his childhood when he found his own way to deal with the death of his twin brother. We learn what makes Elvis tick, and what motivates him. He wanted nothing more than to entertain people, and hopefully provide a better quality of life for the parents, Gladys and Vernon (played by Shelley Winters and Bing Russell, star Kurt Russell's own dad) who were always loving and supportive. Framed by the depiction of Elvis's big comeback performance at the International Hotel, it shows him meeting all of the important players in his life - Sam Phillips (Charles Cyphers), Colonel Tom Parker (Pat Hingle), and Priscilla Beaulieu (Season Hubley, to whom Russell was subsequently and briefly married). Russell is just tremendous as Elvis, completely immersing himself in the role and managing to make us forget that we're watching a performance. Of course, it's worth noting that Russell, as a child, had acted with The King in "It Happened at the World's Fair" and would return to the role - sort of - in 2001's "3000 Miles to Graceland". One of the highest rated television movies in history, it earned three Emmy nominations, including best television movie and best actor for Russell. This is a true warts and all affair, showing the darker aspects to Elvis's personality, and as such is riveting. It's a long but engrossing story, and was also historic for first teaming Carpenter and Russell; they would work four more times together over the years, on "Escape from New York", "The Thing", "Big Trouble in Little China", and "Escape from L.A." It also firmly established Russell as a mature actor of note after his time spent as a youthful star of formulaic Disney comedies. Everything is buoyed by genuine poignancy and, of course, a generous serving of classic Elvis songs. Well worth watching overall. Eight out of 10.

Kurt did an outstanding job playing the King in this movie. I've seen a lot of Elvis movies and he probably did the best job I've ever seen playing Elvis in this movie. You can get a sneak peek at how good of a job he does playing Elvis if you watch 3000 Miles To Graceland, but if you're an Elvis fan this one is for you...

This magnificently produced biop of Elvis Presley contains an eerie, almost frightening portrayal of Presley by Kurt Russell, who literally seems to be inhabited by Elvis' spirit. Physically, the movie is perfect in casting and location - you could see a freeze of any frame of this film and know it's about Elvis.All that being said, die-hard Elvis fans will be left frustrated by the movies' gaping holes and unnecessary inaccuracies, the biggest of which is that the film stops in 1970 when Elvis lived until 1977. One can understand having to leave out parts and truncating others but this film went too far. There is nothing indicating Elvis' drug use, which began in the army; nothing that touches on the other women in his life while he was with Priscilla; he and Priscilla seem to be talking divorce in 1969; Elvis' Vegas opening is combined with his later touring - and the concert opens with "2001: A Space Odyssey" - no way; Elvis rants and raves about the movies he has to make, but it's 1968, he's supposed to be doing his comeback special and he's just about free of the films; and on and on. For dramatic effect, the circumstances of his mother's death were changed so that Elvis is present in the hospital room - yet the true description of Elvis learning of his mother's death in the Peter Guralnick book is much more harrowing. Interestingly, however, the film does touch on Elvis' lethal enmeshment with his mother and the "twinless twin" syndrome, showing him often talking with Jesse. If they could draw on those elements, the producers certainly could have come up with a more accurate script.