Plot

The story of the behind-the-scenes drama that took place during the making of Elvis Presley's iconic 1968 TV special.

The film is the authentic, fully authorized and true, behind-the-scenes story of how Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special came to life and helped put the fading star back on the map. Director-Producer Steve Binder, is the only person in the world who can legitimately speak to the making of the Special since HE made it. Prior to the '68 Special, Elvis' career was in decline due to his uninspired selection of projects; he was becoming a sell-out. And even though Elvis knew this deep down, no one would admit it to his face out of fear of retaliation from his all-controlling, manipulative manager, Colonel Tom Parker. But that all changed when a young and bold television-music director named Steve Binder convinced Elvis that he needed to do a special that reverted back to the original style that made him famous. Intrigued by Binder's boldness and also in agreement with him, Elvis took his career back into his own hands to make the special, which became a smashing hit. Indeed, it put Elvis back in the center of the public's adoration and is so iconic and celebrated by major talent and the public today.—Parixit Pathak

ELVIS and STEVE, The Story Of The Making of the Comeback Special, is the true buddy story which will highlight Steve's interface with Elvis on the production process to accomplish an evergreen and game changer result. The documentary will also showcase many new filming innovations, such as capturing an artist performing music unplugged as well as the first use of handheld cameras to film music performance, all pioneered by Binder. Steve has The most unique and informed perspective on how this landmark show was made and the events which transpired during production. Elvis bravely stood up and supported Steve in order to have the Special completed and broadcast. The success of this Comeback show propelled the course of Elvis' life and career to the next level. Throughout his impressive career, with great confidence and persistence, Binder pushed the barriers of race on television, fighting for equality and the dropping restrictions on what could and could not be shown on television.—Parixit Pathak

The film reveals what really happened behind the scenes of this mesmerizing hour of television. When it aired on the night of Dec. 3, 1968, the special became the most-watched television event of the year, and nearly half of the entire TV-watching audience tuned in to see Elvis Presley, clad in an iconic black leather suit, deliver some of the greatest performances of his life, reinvigorating his career and changing the pop-culture landscape forever. Told from the unique perspective of Emmy® Award-winning television director Steve Binder, REINVENTING ELVIS: THE '68 COMEBACK features interviews with Elvis experts recollections from those who attended the special in-person, as well as all-new versions of iconic Elvis hits interpreted by contemporary musicians, including superstar Daris Rucker, Latin GRAMMY® winner Maffio, and America's Got Talent finalist Drake Milligan, who previously starred in CMT's hit series Sun Records, also streaming on Paramount+.—Paramount+

Spencer Proffer and original Elvis Comeback NBC Special director, Steve Binder will bring the table top book Binder wrote, {published by M17 Books in association with Readerlink} to life in a documentary, to be directed by Meteor 17's John Coltrane Chasing Trane helmer, John Scheinfeld. It will center on the making of the Special and Binder's role teaming up with Elvis in a true buddy story that helped inform the course of pop music history. The film will contain actual excerpts and music from the original, highly watched and lauded NBC Special. It will highlight Steve's interface with Elvis on the production process to accomplish an evergreen and game changer result. The documentary will also showcase many new filming innovations, such as capturing an artist performing music unplugged as well as the first use of handheld cameras to film music performance, all pioneered by Binder.

Binder has the most unique and informed perspective on how this landmark show was made and the events which transpired during production. Elvis bravely stood up and supported Steve in order to have the Special completed and broadcast. The success of this Comeback show propelled the course of Elvis' life and career to the next level. All of these activities are highlighted in the book and will be key components of the documentary.

This never before told perspective will be at the heart of the documentary. The film will enlighten and inform Elvis fans throughout the world with a behind the scenes look at this seminal moment of pop music media history.The Proffer produced documentary will exhibit via a leading SVOD outlet's streaming platform.