EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert is just that
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IT seems director Baz Luhrmann was not quite finished with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Four years after the incredible critical and commercial success of , starring an Oscar nominated Austin Butler, Luhrmann has returned to tell a different side of Elvis Presley’s story: his side. Compiling never-before-seen footage of Elvis’ legendary performances at Las Vegas’ International Hotel, various interviews and intimate rehearsal tapes, is a brilliantly accomplished documentary that offers modern audiences the best chance they’ll ever have to understand just what it was like to witness the greatest entertainer of all time perform on stage. While I enjoyed 2022’s Elvis, I struggled to fully connect with the film and wished it had a stronger emotional impact. Ironically, EPIC has now satisfied that desire by delivering a beautifully authentic and human portrayal of Elvis Presley, while serving nicely as a companion piece to the 2022 film.
Anyone familiar with Baz Luhrmann’s directing style will instantly recognise his trademark style from the very first scenes of EPIC. Opening with the same bejeweled visuals that began 2022’s Elvis, the king’s voice is heard explaining how a lot of things had been written about him over the years but now he wants to tell “my side of the story, of how I got into this business.” From there, a dizzying recap of Elvis’ Hollywood films flickers across the screen as his narration details his frustration at never being able to show his true acting ability. After briefly covering his two years of service in the army, Presley then explains how he longed to return to performing on stage in front of a live audience. From there, the footage alternates between his disciplined rehearsal process and the jaw-dropping spectacle of his live shows.
What’s most impressive about this film is how Luhrmann and his editing team have restored years of disparate, archived footage â much of which was initially without sound â and seamlessly stitched everything together into one cohesive film. My one complaint would be that, much like the 2022 film, begins at breakneck speed and rarely ever slows down to allow the audience to breathe. While this approach makes for an exhilarating experience matching the energy of Elvis’ shows, it can feel somewhat exhausting at times, resulting in a slightly blurred recollection of the whole thing. However, with a brief runtime of 90 minutes, a fast-paced onslaught of overstimulating Elvis-ness can be forgiven.
Fans of Elvis will likely adore this film. Similarly, anyone who loved Baz Luhrmann’s previous Elvis biopic will, no doubt, appreciate the same visual design that characterises EPIC. I would even wager that those who have as of yet failed to understand the hype surrounding Elvis – the man and the film – might finally understand just why this man earned the title of king. Ironically, I found this film to be more emotionally stirring than 2022’s Elvis. Where the latter tried too hard to pack a punch in its ‘emotional’ scenes and, as a result, missed the mark, lands with a far more poignant impact by shining a light on the human being beneath the jewels and flamboyant costumes.
For decades, everyone has known about the personal struggles Elvis endured during his career as an entertainer. As the 2022 film revealed, these struggles were exacerbated and largely caused by his unscrupulous manager Col Tom Parker. While the issue of the colonel and the hardship he caused Presley is an important part of his story, I was glad to see EPIC did not focus too much on this relationship, only ever briefly addressing Parker’s schemes behind the scenes. In fact, EPIC rarely ever acknowledges the existence of the colonel at all, choosing instead to focus on Elvis and his love of music; his love for his fans; his love for his colleagues and his love of entertaining. It was this aspect of EPIC that I found to be most emotionally satisfying: an honest portrayal of the human being behind the legend.
As Presley himself says in a press interview when asked whether he was satisfied with the image he has established: “The image is one thing and a human being is another.” While everyone is familiar with Elvis’ on-stage persona and his unique, inimitable style, gives audiences the chance to see a different side of the man: a soft, gentle side with a wicked sense of humour and a genuine musical genius.
EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert is a rare gift of a film. Baz Luhrmann’s fascination with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, combined with the painstaking care and attention devoted to restoring nearly 60-year-old footage has culminated in an endlessly exhilarating and beautifully poignant documentary that is far more than just another concert film. Baz Luhrmann has brought the king back to life on the big screen and he has never looked better. With an infinite list of superlatives that could be used to describe this film, I think the title sums it up best:
