It feels like they've made a million different Elvis Presley biopics, but really there've only been thirty film portrayals of The King. I haven't seen most of them, but I did sit through 1979's tv-movie Elvis, starring Kurt Russell. If you're going to pick one, you might want to pick this one. Oftentimes the first stab at something is like a trial-run, full of errors and leaving room for improvement by later versions. This was the first Elvis biopic, but it's stood the test of time remarkably well, and it's revered by his greatest fans.
This movie doesn't go into Elvis's later years, but when you watch the movie, it doesn't feel like anything's missing. Everything you'd want to see in an Elvis biography is included: his war years, his devotion to his mother, played by Shelley Winters, his romance with Priscilla, played by Season Hubley, and plenty of vocal performances. While Kurt doesn't do his own singing, he more than makes up for it with his movements and expressions. He clearly did his homework, knowing that, not only was it an honor to be the first to play Elvis, but also keeping in mind that he himself had a personal connection to the star. As a little boy, he played a small part in an Elvis Presley movie in the early 1960s!
Kurt Russell does an excellent job both impersonating Elvis's outward persona and revealing his private moments. If you're a fan and want to see him in a different type of role than he usually takes, rent this drama. It's extremely entertaining, informative, and engaging.
This movie doesn't go into Elvis's later years, but when you watch the movie, it doesn't feel like anything's missing. Everything you'd want to see in an Elvis biography is included: his war years, his devotion to his mother, played by Shelley Winters, his romance with Priscilla, played by Season Hubley, and plenty of vocal performances. While Kurt doesn't do his own singing, he more than makes up for it with his movements and expressions. He clearly did his homework, knowing that, not only was it an honor to be the first to play Elvis, but also keeping in mind that he himself had a personal connection to the star. As a little boy, he played a small part in an Elvis Presley movie in the early 1960s!
Kurt Russell does an excellent job both impersonating Elvis's outward persona and revealing his private moments. If you're a fan and want to see him in a different type of role than he usually takes, rent this drama. It's extremely entertaining, informative, and engaging.