EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – A King Reborn on the Big Screen
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert isn’t just a concert film; it’s a revelation. Director Baz Luhrmann delivers a breathtaking experience, presenting the King of Rock and Roll at the zenith of his powers, primarily through electrifying performances from his 1970 residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. This isn’t simply entertainment; it’s a compelling argument that Elvis Presley, as a raw rock ‘n’ roll force, was profoundly underrated.
A Visual and Auditory Spectacle
The film showcases iconic performances like “Tiger Man” – a confident declaration of dominance – and “Polk Salad Annie,” where Presley effortlessly embodies the swamp-rock energy of Tony Joe White’s classic. The visuals are striking: Presley in his signature tasseled white jumpsuit (a look perhaps only matched by Evel Knievel!), glistening with sweat and charisma. The sheer scale of his collars and sideburns, magnified on the IMAX screen, is a sight to behold. Every pore, every nuance of his captivating gaze is brought into sharp focus.
Beyond the Performance: A Vulnerable Narrative
Luhrmann, known for his maximalist style (as seen in his 2022 biopic Elvis), surprisingly crafts a film that is often remarkably intimate. A disembodied Elvis, speaking through unearthed audio recordings, serves as a poignant and honest narrator. He reflects on pivotal moments – his draft into the U.S. Army in 1958, his sometimes questionable film choices (“It was nobody’s fault except maybe my own”), and the heartbreaking loss of his mother.
A Masterful Blend of Archival Footage and Sound
The film seamlessly weaves together archival black-and-white footage with vibrantly enhanced colour shots, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Rehearsal footage is expertly synchronized with concert performances, enhancing the rhythmic tension of the music – a tension Presley himself described as “pushing out and pulling in” within gospel music. Luhrmann clearly took this advice to heart.
A Legacy Restored
The result is an electric biography, a masterclass in editing, and a dynamic performance film that reanimates a legend and restores a legacy tarnished by his later years. EPiC isn’t just a great concert documentary; it’s arguably the greatest, surpassing even Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed The Last Waltz. (Scorsese, incidentally, previously worked on the 1972 concert film Elvis on Tour.)
Preserving the Past
The film’s creation involved meticulously sourcing material from film reels originally shot for Elvis on Tour and Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, preserved for decades in a Kansas salt mine by Warner Bros. Luhrmann expands the soundtrack with studio recordings, cleverly paired with key plot points. For example, the 1964 song “Little Egypt” accompanies a segment detailing the anticipation surrounding Presley’s Las Vegas residency.
A Critical Look at Colonel Tom Parker
While Elvis refrains from criticizing his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Luhrmann doesn’t shy away from portraying Parker’s controlling influence, using the song “You’re the Devil in Disguise” to underscore this dynamic. Backstage moments offer a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era of polyester and Pall Mall cigarettes, a time shared with icons like Sammy Davis Jr. and Cary Grant.
A Redemption for Luhrmann
The only minor critique is the occasional overuse of ghostly, reverb-drenched quotes from Presley for transitions. However, this is a small flaw in an otherwise exceptional film. After the divisive response to his 2022 biopic, Luhrmann has redeemed himself with EPiC, delivering a substantial achievement second only to Elvis’s legendary ’68 Comeback Special.
Learn more about Elvis Presley’s life and career at Elvis.com.
