EPIC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT

(director: Baz Luhrman; editor: Jonathan Redmond; music: Elvis Presley; cast: Elvis Presley; Runtime: 95; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Baz Luhrman, Jeremy Castro, Schuyler Weiss, Matthew Gross, Colin Smeeton; A Sony Music Vision, Warner Bros, Neon; 2025)

“It’s the kind of entertaining and informative film no Elvis fan would want to miss.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The flashy showman Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrman (“The Great Gatsby”/”Australia”)  directs this diverting, dazzling, and unconventional concert documentary on Elvis using the never-before-seen archival and concert footage research he did not use for his concert film on Elvis (2022), that was found in the vaults of Warner Bros. and in Graceland’s archives.

After a prologue highlighting Elvis’s career, including his military service, he’s seen as he resides in Vegas during the early 1970s and performs in concert. An Elvis voice-over is the only film commentary. The gist of the film is about his being honest about himself and showing how playful he can be. We see Elvis anew through his comments about making so many crappy films; what a great performer he was through his hit songs performed in concert that include “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Little Sister,” and the Beatles anthem “Get Back;” his gleeful state of mind and smiles while having a blast with his crew and back-up band; and, his not being afraid to tell us about his faults.

It’s the kind of entertaining and informative film no Elvis fan would want to miss. It’s informative even if it tells us much about the King that’s already known. While it humanizes him and shows him as an electrifying performer, it also stays clear of anything about him controversial. Though it does mention that he was exploited to be a cash cow by his controlling manager Colonel Parker.
 
It played at the Toronto Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 3/8/2026  GRADE: B+
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