User reviews

This "HBO" doc called "Elvis Presley: "The Searcher" is long and drawn out as it's really informative and educates all about the life and the making of Elvis from his early life all the way up to death. Really it's a great biography type film to see with classic footage of concerts, interviews, and comings and goings of the one and only "King". Also the film is supported by talk and narration from the late Tom Petty and "The Boss" Springsteen and ex wife Priscilla all talk about his impact on music and culture and all recall the good and bad times.

Early you see how the blues and gospel music and being around blacks influenced "Elvis" to be outside the box and mix his music to a blend to be classified as many different styles. Then along the way his journey to "Memphis" and meeting Tom Parker would help shape his music life.

Yet a downfall and backslide was Presley's dive into movies and acting which hurt his image and would age him and cause his need to start over with music. However his pressures and stress would lead to drug abuse and a much to early departure. Overall good look at the life and times of the king the one and only "Elvis Presley"!

It's amazing how many people now think of Elvis only as a caricature, with a few hit songs and girls screaming in front of him. This documentary goes a long way in helping those who don't know why Elvis was a pioneering artist, why he was so much more than just an early rock and roller, how he re-imagined the blues, country and even bluegrass into a form uniquely his own. Much like his life, the pre-Army years are the most interesting. I wish they had interviewed more contemporaries - surely there are people still alive who were actually at some of these concerts, tapings, etc.? I so appreciate the film-makers making it clear that Steve Allen was attempting to humiliate Elvis and kill rock and roll - he definite deserves "credit" for that attempt. The doc also gives a good view of Colonel Parker - why Elvis picked him to manage him, why that absolutely was a great idea early on but how it turned disastrous at the end and how, for all the great things he did for Elvis early on, he ruined his career, and perhaps his life, at the end. What a shame that, at the time of this doc's release, the 1968 Comeback Special isn't available on DVD (unless you are willing to pay someone almost $100 for it) - this doc made me so hungry to watch it again (haven't seen it since a NYE broadcast in Germany back in 2007 or so).

I am a fan of a lot of music from the 60's and 70's and for whatever reason always ignored Elvis, probably just chocking him up to a novelty or focusing mainly on his 50's music that never really appealed much to me. This long, 3.5 hour documentary opened my eyes about him and his great music he made at the end of the 60's and start of the 70's. Now I'm collecting his live performances online from that era and enjoying him a lot. Great documentary; I can only imagine it's even better for longtime fans. Elvis truly was the King!

This is, without a doubt, one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. And I've seen a ridiculous amount of films in my life. Even if you are not a big fan of documentaries, and I'm generally not, this is worth seeing. Even if you are not a fan of Elvis Presley, this film brings a perspective of American history worth a look.

Usually, when someone is that famous, and died decades ago, we tend to believe we must know everything there is worth knowing. Two things make this film very different. First, the personal views of those who knew him best, like Priscilla Presley, and those influenced by him, like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, give the film a gravity rarely seen. Second, this is the rare film that neither worships nor belittles him. It approaches Elvis Presley as a human being, much like any other, whose life had an amazing range of ups and downs.

I've rated thousands of films on IMDb, but reviewed very few. This one was worth a few minutes to share my thoughts. Well done to all involved.

I didn't know much about Elvis, being a child of the 70s, it was all rather lost on me, sure I knew some of the big ballads and endured the endless films shown on television on Bank Holidays This is an epic film, beautifully made , right from his early life, it's detailed but never boring.The love and affection from the film makers shines through from the start. Elvis was such a humble, kind , funny person. Everything he did was groundbreaking, but has been duplicated so many times by lesser mortals, you've got to remember he was first and best I love the early raw music , those seemed to be the best times for Elvis... if that music was launched today it would stand out as pure class The comeback show was heartbreakingly beautiful, his smiles and laughter, it seemed he proved to himself he could still do it...he could, it was astonishing.The film follows the decline in a tastefully , slightly depressing, way Having sat through to the end I shear a tear at the sad end to a brilliant career. Anybody who is a fan or not or wants to find out more about The King should watch this, it's brilliant filmmaking and paced to perfection... my favourite moment is the duet with Sinatra......it's just so ......Natural

Sometimes it's hard for anyone born after Elvis' death to understand what was so special about him, what the mania was about, especially when we only see his later image repeated all the time. This two-part documentary lovingly follows Elvis' spirit, the essence that made him special, throughout all the stages of his life.

It starts with his roots as a boy who lived in poverty but also immersed in music, into his first success as a raw traveling talent, to his shooting success, his plateau into commercial mediocrity, then his reemergence as a larger than life superstar before his decline. It gives a more critical perspective into the musical elements and the artistic agency that really made his music stand out and influence the industry.

The Searcher is a refreshing change from the sensationalist biographies that just want to focus on his explosive success and zoom in on his weaknesses. At the same time, it does gloss over some of those darker elements - making it a slightly incomplete biography.

I personally didn't enjoy the artistic effect occasionally used of showing Elvis clips in an empty room, dressed as a household of the 50s, 60s or 70s. I suppose they were supposed to have a pensive or nostalgic effect, but to me they would momentarily drain the energy out of what is mostly a lively documentary.

Part one is the better part, especially because it's where Elvis' deep roots and passion in music are explored, whereas part two is a bit of an awkward dance between acknowledging his decline while also trying to remain full of praise. The whole thing could have likely been cut into a single 2-hour film instead of two 1.5-hour pieces.

All told, this is a great film to connect younger audiences with the historic and magical legacy of Elvis Presley, looking past the surface and the gossip to see a special man.

Elvis Presley - bigger than life. If you are a fan, you may know certain things portrayed here. But just hearing the music and seeing him (perform) and hear others talk about him ... well I'd say it is more than worth your time. This is or at least seems as in depth as one can get. We see him, but we hear so many other people - wife, associates, people who worked with him and so many more.

While I would call myself a fan, I had no idea how the leg shaking was born. There are anecdotes here, the highs, the lows and everything in between. But most of all we get as much into his mindset as is possible, without him being here to tell us.

He combined music styles ... he was a rebel and yet he had to stay in his lane (see his movie career and other things he had to sacrifice). Producers hiring him for his music rather than his acting abilities ... the pressure that got to him ... there is so much to unpack here. It's such a shame Elvis left the building ... way too soon! Still as many will probably agree with me in saying this: Thank you ... thank you very much!

This long documentary, voiced by his colleagues, fans and ex-wife presents a highly sanitised heroic version of the man. Which is a pity, because his humanity and vulnerability were as important as his talent. Brushing his womanising and many other excesses under the carpet does him no favours These aspects were a huge part of his personality and his appeal. A more honest and three dimensional approach, presenting the truth, would have much improved this film and would have in no way diminished the memory of this much loved performer.

This documentary was made by people who love music, it's origins and roots, and Elvis himself. From that startpoint, a fair thing to say would be that it accomplished almost every aspect meant for a piece of this kind: entertain, inform, deliver his music, to show unknown footage, and get you closer to the subject himself.

As it's told in chronological order (with the exception of inserts from the 1968 special very well placed as the turning point it was), you get to know some special aspects related to the music, his state of mind, and the importance of it's roots.

For me, one of the key aspects, it's that there's no images of people offering their interpretation or opinions, only voiceovers from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Red West, Ike Turner, Emmy Lou Harris, and Priscilla Presley; who clearly appreciate y loved his music.

This reinforced the value of the outtakes, films, early recordings and photograps which where choosed with and evident mastercraft and respect.

The only dissapointment was that there's little mention to the most negative aspects of the person as it as (the infidelities, the camp aspects of his period in Vegas, karate, etc); but at the end it doesn't cloud the fact at hand: he was an ARTIST, a sensitive person, and a full entertainer.

I recommend this documentary, because it made me feel i discover some aspects of him worth knowing.

I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but the lovingly in-depth, full scope of this 2-part documentary got me closer. I of course knew about much of it (his days at Sun Studios, the unfulfilling Hollywood years, his "larger"-than-life Vegas swan song), but it shined a light on so many things I didn't know. The rock lifestyle didn't get him addicted to pills; the army did. His extreme stage fright after getting back to music. His entire relationship with malicious Tom Parker.

Almost 800 songs, and 30+ movies, and TV shows (hosting & guesting). The number of top ten songs ranks with Carey & Madonna. Number one ranked songs in the same ballpark as Springsteen, Streisand, Stones, Brooks (only Beetles & JAY-Z are higher). Had an enormous historic impact on changing American culture in the fifties & sixties to what we enjoy today. As much as any other individual in any profession. At that time racial separation was as divisive (thank you current president for bringing that term back) as ever in the 20th century. Raised in poverty in a sharecroppers style house in the south he grew up w/the sacrifice of a hard working single mom w/dad sporadically present. His impact: He merged country, bluegrass, and especially blues & gospel w/their black influences into something to be soon called rock 'n' roll and brought it to white America thus bringing two+ races into one. His acceptance of black music, his gyrations & his music faced fierce vocal opposition from the media, from church pulpits, and from politicians (hmmm, I won't comment further on that one). His songs filled all music genres from religious to rock. Not to mention folk & Italian operatic.

The documentary is unique in that all the visuals center about Elvis's life. When we have guest commentary we are only shown in small text who is speaking. Side note: "AGT" 2018 had a youthful revivification of Elvis's legacy in the form of Courtney Hadwin.

(*John Lennon quote*) - "Before Elvis Presley there was nothing."

Whether you're an Elvis Presley fan, or not - This first-rate presentation is sure to hold your rapt attention from start to finish.

Without question - Elvis was a pop music sensation like no other before him.

Leaving no stone unturned - This 3-hour-20-minute bio-documentary, pretty much, covers all the ground regarding both Elvis's public persona, as well as his private side (which was kept well-guarded behinds the iron gates at Graceland).

(*Trivia note*) - As of 2018 - It is roughly estimated that Elvis Presley's records have, collectively, sold nearly 1 billion copies, worldwide.

If there is ever going to be a real documentary on Elvis they are going to have to leave the ex-wife out.

As others have said this is a sanitized Elvis doco and it didn't need to be.

What I enjoyed: Hearing songs by Elvis I have never heard before. I am not a rabid fan and only ever heard the million sellers that are played on the radio. He had great range and listening to blue grass and his take on blues and country was a marvel. He really did have a superb voice and I will start widening my listening of Elvis. There were also a few videos of him I haven't seen before showing in his adolescent years, acne, pimples and all. How refreshing to see him as a person with real skin problems.

What I didn't like: With the 1000+ concerts he did, where was all the footage. All we got were stills and short (very short) bits and pieces. And none where he was overweight, puffy, sweaty and gasping to get his songs out towards the end. But still a voice of an angel. No history on Gracelands at all and it has its own fascinating story. Like being named after Grace Toof (Daughter of Stephen C Toof, publisher of the Memphis Daily Appeal during the civil war). The doco gave the impression Elvis named it, he didn't. No mention of Elvis' grandmother (Vernon's mother) who also moved in to Gracelands. When Elvis went into the Army he had a girlfriend in the US and she remained his girlfriend during his time in Germany, and ended up being Vernon's secretary and living at Graceland. Could you imagine a grown man having his 14yo girlfriend living with him these days? (after all he was related to Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, also not mentioned) And no mention of Elvis' girlfriend at the time of his death to whom he was engaged or his violent temper.

The only commentators on this were really his 'crew' who were fiercely loyal and would never in a million years dis Elvis, even after death and his ex-wife. At one stage I thought they are going to beatify him the way this is going. Priscilla Presley seems to have a vested interest in how Elvis is portrayed, which is a shame and smacks of money grubbing. Not sure what Bruce Springsteen or Tom Petty had to do with it. As far as I know neither knew him or even met him but they knew how he thought? (now that's magic/s). Where were the actors he worked with (Ann Margret is still alive) and the musicians outside the crew he worked with? These are the people and stories I'd like to hear, not the ones that were sanitised and only showed Elvis in a particular light.

Showing Elvis, warts and all would have been a fantastic documentary and I doubt would have tarnished him at all, maybe made him accessible to the masses even! Hopefully someone will tell the real story one day before it's too late.

A 5, well because it's Elvis. Good God, that voice!

What a long road he came down to only see a small side of the rewards.

I shows such a caring loving man that never want to hurt anyones (even those he could tell were doing him wrong) feeling. A person who could just find Music from all areas to make such amazing feelings come through and connect with us the audience, even now Years on it still can bring you to tears.

How if someone could have helped him step away from bad management and shown him that he could explore the world like he wished to do he may of been able to create even more important music styles.

If you want to understand Elvis Presley, then watch this documentary. The man was an icon, a phenomenal talent, and this film explores his story as an artist (and I'd hardly even call myself a fan. I was a little kid when Elvis died. This is my mom's music). Yes, the movie is a bit slow. But that's the pace needed to tell this story - there's a lot to unpack. This is not flashy biopic; instead, it's essential viewing to understand rock n roll music and American culture.

Director Thom Zimny has made music documentaries for Bruce Springsteen where he has access to interviews with the Boss and members of his band as well as those closest to him.

Here Zimny has been granted access to footage, photos and archived interviews from his estate. There are no talking heads but you have narration from Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jon Landau, Priscilla Presley, Emmylou Harris and childhood friend Jerry Schilling.

This is a sprawling two part documentary that clocks in at 4 hours. It is very long, telling a story that could had been done in half the time. The involvement of Priscilla also makes me thing it was sanitised in parts. There is no mention of Elvis's karate lessons and each other's infidelities.

The first part is more interesting, Elvis singing country, gospel, bluegrass that will eventually lead to rock n roll under the guidance of Sam Phillips of Sun Records.

Colonel Tom Parker is the villain of the piece, a malignant influence who ultimately enriched himself and held back Elvis who wanted to see the world but could not as the Colonel was an illegal immigrant.

The documentary comes alive when it plays interviews from Elvis, Sam Phillips and those who were there with him at the time. When Tom Petty talks about how Elvis was bored when he was in the army in Germany and how he took uppers to keep awake, you think 'how do you know?'

This movie not only gives you a lot of information it also gives you the information in an enjoyable way. This documentary will not only give you a new appreciation for Elvis as a singer but it will give you appreciation of Elvis as a man

What price fame? This two-part documentary on the life and times of the King rarely told me something I didn't already know and definitely air-brushed some of his more negative aspects out of the picture, but with extensive use of unseen, at least by me, home movie and behind-the-scenes footage, it was always interesting to watch. I'm a big Elvis fan myself, but I have read Peter Guralnick's definitive two-volume biography "Last Train To Memphis" and "Careless Love" and think it's noticeable that he, amongst many others, didn't get a look-in to offer some counterpoint to the mostly fawning comments by the selected friends, family and celebrities. The latter include the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the late Tom Petty and Emmylou Harris but I'd have preferred to hear from first generation fans like Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Keith Richards to name but three, all of whose contributions to music, for my money, exceed those selected in their stead.

Presley's story is told in chronological order, from his humble beginnings driving a truck in his native Tupelo, Mississippi to the fateful day he stepped into Sam Phillips' Sun Studios to cut a disc for his mother. For me, his Sun recordings are still his best but it was obvious that he had to get a proper manager and sign to a national label if he was to get the exposure he needed but once he did, it was world watch-out! At the peak of his early fame, he was rather mysteriously drafted into the U. S. army for two years and by the time he was demobbed, he was being groomed to compete with the new clean-cut college-boy idols of the day like Fabian, Bobby Vee and Frankie Avalon and then, disastrously for his artistic integrity, sent to Hollywood to make a seemingly endless series of formulaic, mediocre musicals with similarly weak soundtracks.

Like every other Elvis documentary I've ever seen, big play is made of his 1968 TV Special which, with his following sessions, at last recording decent material at Stax Studios with soul music producer Chips Moman, put him back on top, but not for long as he was then plunged by his manager, the largely self-serving Colonel Tom Parker, into non-stop touring firstly in Vegas seasons and then moving onto nationwide tours until his early death in 1977.

I appreciated that all of the voiceover commentaries were just that, with no distracting video footage of the speakers, but I still felt that a lot of what I heard was exaggerated if not downright hyperbole. At one point we're told Elvis produced all his own early records which I rather doubt, also that he keenly felt the twin loss by assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy in 1968, which while they may have informed his obviously heartfelt closing rendition of "If I Can Dream", isn't reflected in any contemporary interview video footage. There's also no sign or even mention of the several women he dated post-Priscilla, which perhaps was the price the production company paid for her own significant involvement. Lastly, it was surely a mistake to omit the world's shock reaction to his death in 1977. The low-point for me however was some so-called expert telling us that Elvis was "unmoored from the Earth experience", whatever that means.

Listen, I think Elvis was undoubtedly the greatest entertainer of the 20th Century but this would-be definitive study (awful title too), I felt lacked balance and would have worked better by adding some shade to the sun-bright background, although I doubt his still millions of adoring fans out there would agree with me.

Must watch for all Elvis fans Worth watching for some of the rare Elvis footage .Timeless musical legend.

I love his music but knew very little of the man himself and this documentary does a fair job of documenting the key points of his life with a particular focus on his music and movie career.

Personally i think that it could have been better showcased, make it four episodes rather than two feature length episodes, split it clearly in to sections of his life as it sort of just meanders through his life which can make it feel a little tedious and boring.

My main takeout from the documentary is how different Elviss career could have been if he'd not been so controlled by those around him.

A very good documentary about the rise and decline of Elvis.

One can't help but to feel for him, as the person who help create his rise to fame also manipulated him and prevented him from reaching the full potential of his talent.

It shows how he was forced into making bad movies in the 60's and sing many bad filler songs when he was truly much better than that.

All to line his manager's pockets.

It was also interesting to learn the real reason that fans around the world were denied seeing him perform outside the US.

His comeback TV special showed just how good he was.

Would have given a 10 but there were missing parts to the story.

At first it's very entertaining, then it begins to drag. They should of made this in just one episode instead of dragging it on and on and on.....

I loved seeing the pictures of young Elvis growing up and his dad and mums pics. Listening to songs that weren't mainstream and music from early on in his career and Lord that man had a fantastic voice like no other. The ending was fantastic, what a performance. Good Lord he was beautiful, he was my first crush as mum had all his kid friendly movies that I watched in the 90s.

However.

Priscilla is narrating a good amount of this and we all know Priscilla wasn't a main feature in his life as Elvis was a womaniser of the highest decree. He also was a yo yo dieter and abused drugs. This docu doesn't show him in his semi obese state, trousers burst on stage, forgotten his line, sweaty mess of a former legend.

His last years were a disaster, he had a live in young girlfriend and he was a troubled man and it basically went downhill when his mama passed. We want a real docu of him not an edited pretend life that he supposedly led.

I have never been some huge Elvis fan, I haven't known that much about him, other than the basic stuff we all know. I sat down & watched this documentary & it really opened my eyes to his talents as a true breakthrough history making musical artist. If you're looking for a deep dive into Elvis's personal life, you won't get it here. This is more of an exploration of his career & how he got to where he did. I think it's a great film. I never realized how great a vocalist he was. I also never realized what a true artist he was. This documentary definitely shows how his terrible movie career in the 60s derailed him from being a bigger musical genius than he has ever gotten credit for. I found this film to be fascinating & eye-opening & I love all of the old footage & pics in the movie.