Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC' new film reveals neverseen Elvis footage Brian Truitt, USA TODAYSeptember 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM 1 Presley's life. " style=paddingbottom:56% Presley's life. " datasrc=https://ift.tt/PelMO2x.
- - Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC' new film reveals never-seen Elvis footage
Brian Truitt, USA TODAYSeptember 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
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Presley's life. " style=padding-bottom:56%> Presley's life. " data-src=https://ift.tt/TbeBIKR class=caas-img data-headline="Elvis Presley archival photos: See rock 'n' roll legend's life at Graceland and beyond" data-caption="Elvis Presley's captivating career, romances, military service and family were documented by photographers around the world. As the world prepares to mark what would have been the rock 'n' roll legend's 90th birthday on Jan. 8, 2025, take a look back at archival images of Presley's life. "> Presley's life. " src=https://ift.tt/TbeBIKR class=caas-img>
According to the White House Historical Association, Presley wrote Nixon a letter "out of concern for the country," "suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large."
"Nixon agreed and granted Presley a federal narcotics badge during this visit. Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting," the group says." style=padding-bottom:56%> According to the White House Historical Association, Presley wrote Nixon a letter "out of concern for the country," "suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large."
"Nixon agreed and granted Presley a federal narcotics badge during this visit. Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting," the group says." data-src=https://ift.tt/yCKRf7U class=caas-img data-headline="Elvis Presley archival photos: See rock 'n' roll legend's life at Graceland and beyond" data-caption="Elvis Presley shows President Richard Nixon his cuff links on Dec. 21, 1970, at the White House. According to the White House Historical Association, Presley wrote Nixon a letter "out of concern for the country," "suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large."
"Nixon agreed and granted Presley a federal narcotics badge during this visit. Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting," the group says."> According to the White House Historical Association, Presley wrote Nixon a letter "out of concern for the country," "suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large."
"Nixon agreed and granted Presley a federal narcotics badge during this visit. Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting," the group says." src=https://ift.tt/yCKRf7U class=caas-img>
1 / 44Elvis Presley archival photos: See rock 'n' roll legend's life at Graceland and beyondElvis Presley's captivating career, romances, military service and family were documented by photographers around the world. As the world prepares to mark what would have been the rock 'n' roll legend's 90th birthday on Jan. 8, 2025, take a look back at archival images of Presley's life.
TORONTO – Baz Luhrmann made his version of Elvis Presley's legend with "Elvis." And with his latest movie, the director lets the King of Rock 'n' Roll tell his own story.
Not a documentary, not a concert, but "a tone poem," Luhrmann says, "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" showcases electrifying rehearsal and concert footage never seen before from Presley's Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel from 1969 to 1976. The Australian filmmaker was on hand to premiere the film Sept. 6 at Toronto Film Festival, where the audience stood up and danced to hits like "Suspicious Minds" and more from the Presley catalog.
When getting ready to make his 2022 movie "Elvis" starring Austin Butler, Luhrmann said he had heard about some "mythical footage" that he wanted to research. The filmmaker had the resources to go into "the salt mines in Kansas" where Warner Bros. had stored negatives and found 59 hours of footage – 15 hours of it with no sound at all.
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Elvis Presley is the subject of Baz Luhrmann's new movie "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert."
According to Jonathan Redmond, Luhrmann's longtime editor, all the music performances and rehearsal tracks were in hand; they just had to sync it up with the found footage. That ended up being a two-year job.
During that process, one thing really impressed Luhrmann about Presley: "It doesn't matter what's going on, it doesn't matter what condition he is, he is never out of tune," the filmmaker said. "And he's always spiritual when he sings."
Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AOI6C3T class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
">Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
" src=https://ift.tt/AOI6C3T class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pnz1PiV class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
">Matthew McConaughey (from left), his wife Camila Alves, mother Mary Kathleen 'Kay' McConaughey and son Levi McConaughey arrive on "The Lost Bus" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/pnz1PiV class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DLypsCv class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
">Matthew McConaughey's 17-year-old son, Levi, makes his film debut, playing McConaughey's son.
" src=https://ift.tt/DLypsCv class=caas-img>Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5p3v2jG class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
">Matthew McConaughey's mom, Mary Kathleen McConaughey (center), plays his mother in the movie.
" src=https://ift.tt/5p3v2jG class=caas-img>"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lKbhp72 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
">"The Lost Bus" star America Ferrera signs autographs for fans on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/lKbhp72 class=caas-img>America Ferrera
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vGqs8z1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
America Ferrera
">America Ferrera
" src=https://ift.tt/vGqs8z1 class=caas-img>Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4WZcNvo class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
">Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of "The Lost Bus."
" src=https://ift.tt/4WZcNvo class=caas-img>Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/r2FR6nq class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
">Gugu Mbatha-Raw, at the premiere of "Fuze."
" src=https://ift.tt/r2FR6nq class=caas-img>Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5Ntswke class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
">Sam Worthington at "Fuze."
" src=https://ift.tt/5Ntswke class=caas-img>Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y1SNxnm class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
">Samara Weaving attends the premiere of "Carolina Caroline."
" src=https://ift.tt/y1SNxnm class=caas-img>Samara Weaving
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bMhO1er class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Samara Weaving
">Samara Weaving
" src=https://ift.tt/bMhO1er class=caas-img>Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/29qvr7e class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
">Inde Navarrette of "Obsession."
" src=https://ift.tt/29qvr7e class=caas-img>Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IZ9BrUN class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
">Aneil Karia (left) and Riz Ahmed attend the premiere of "Hamlet."
" src=https://ift.tt/IZ9BrUN class=caas-img>Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QEV6Sdz class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
">Tom Felton and Pratik Gandhi attend the premiere of "Gandhi."
" src=https://ift.tt/QEV6Sdz class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LFI48qi class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
">Sydney Sweeney (left) and the boxer she portrays, Christy Martin, attend the "Christy" premiere party.
" src=https://ift.tt/LFI48qi class=caas-img>"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mkUw1uK class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
">"Christy" star Katy O'Brian at the premiere party.
" src=https://ift.tt/mkUw1uK class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4X8z5AL class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
">Sydney Sweeney stars as champion boxer Christy Martin in the biopic "Christy."
" src=https://ift.tt/4X8z5AL class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0J7qbGB class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
">Sydney Sweeney (left) and the real Christy Martin pose on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/0J7qbGB class=caas-img>
Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mNRxMpc class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
">Cillian Murphy arrives for the premiere of his new Netflix movie "Steve."
" src=https://ift.tt/mNRxMpc class=caas-img>Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4lAYnQN class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
">Cillian Murphy takes a photo with a fan ahead of the "Steve" premiere.
" src=https://ift.tt/4lAYnQN class=caas-img>Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FfdCRop class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
">Simbi Ajikawo, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/FfdCRop class=caas-img>James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aTnJID1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
">James McAvoy arrives for a BAFTA afternoon tea to celebrate British films at the festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/aTnJID1 class=caas-img>Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/APTLKdH class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
">Sean Astin and his daughter Ali Astin arrive for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/APTLKdH class=caas-img>Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nxKvrh4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
">Sean Astin and Matt Walsh
" src=https://ift.tt/nxKvrh4 class=caas-img>Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ij4vPys class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
">Stephen Amell arrives for the premiere of "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/Ij4vPys class=caas-img>Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6MWXDaV class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
">Andy Hines (from left), Stephen Amell, Auden Thornton and J Balvin arrive for the premiere "Little Lorraine."
" src=https://ift.tt/6MWXDaV class=caas-img>Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/opbLQB8 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Ryan Reynolds took selfies with fans at the Toronto premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/opbLQB8 class=caas-img>Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y3nH0ae class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Jennifer Candy (from left), Ryan Reynolds, Rosemary Candy, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy attend the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/y3nH0ae class=caas-img>Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
" data-src=https://ift.tt/isbnaoX class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
">Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds
" src=https://ift.tt/isbnaoX class=caas-img>Ryan Reynolds
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RXNqLjz class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Ryan Reynolds
">Ryan Reynolds
" src=https://ift.tt/RXNqLjz class=caas-img>Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cPUEXui class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Eugene Levy embraces producer Rosemary Candy, John Candy's widow, at the premiere of "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/cPUEXui class=caas-img>Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Zm3LRbU class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
">Colin Hanks, who directed the new documentary "John Candy: I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/Zm3LRbU class=caas-img>John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2Xw0ubz class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
">John Candy's family (from left, Jennifer Candy, Rose Candy and Christopher Candy) attend the premiere of "I Like Me."
" src=https://ift.tt/2Xw0ubz class=caas-img>Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8Aqr9J5 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
">Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, John Candy's children.
" src=https://ift.tt/8Aqr9J5 class=caas-img>Eugene Levy
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nKV5HzO class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Eugene Levy
">Eugene Levy
" src=https://ift.tt/nKV5HzO class=caas-img>Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uNxySKe class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
">Elle Fanning meets fans at the premiere of "Sentimental Value."
" src=https://ift.tt/uNxySKe class=caas-img>Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qws0Cl9 class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
">Elle Fanning (from left) and co-stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
" src=https://ift.tt/qws0Cl9 class=caas-img>Elle Fanning
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HDtjOBp class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Elle Fanning
">Elle Fanning
" src=https://ift.tt/HDtjOBp class=caas-img>Renate Reinsve
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0GlxpCN class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Renate Reinsve
">Renate Reinsve
" src=https://ift.tt/0GlxpCN class=caas-img>Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6ptwzJO class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
">Stanley Simons (left) and Devon Bostick attend the premiere of "Mile End Kicks."
" src=https://ift.tt/6ptwzJO class=caas-img>Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lIgUvJw class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
">Juliette Gariépy (from left), Stanley Simons, Barbie Ferreira and Devon Bostick
" src=https://ift.tt/lIgUvJw class=caas-img>Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lNYzgWw class=caas-img data-headline="See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025" data-caption="
Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
">Jay Baruchel and Rebecca-Jo Dunham
" src=https://ift.tt/lNYzgWw class=caas-img>
1 / 44See Sydney Sweeney, Matthew McConaughey arrive at Toronto Film Festival 2025
Toronto Film Festival 2025 is bringing all the best Oscar-bait movies and A-list stars. Scroll through to see the biggest names on the red carpet, starting with Sydney Sweeney, who waved to fans at the premiere of "Christy."
"EPiC" gives a little history of Presley leading up to the Vegas years, from being drafted into the Army to becoming a Hollywood star. He didn't love the films he was making, which led to the residency. "He said, 'I need to show the audience what I can do. I need to get back to being Elvis.' And that is what drove him," said Luhrmann.
The striking thing about both the rehearsal and concert footage is it shows how vital Elvis still was a performer, hip thrusts, kung fu moves and all. He does a little tap dancing when Sammy Davis Jr.'s in the crowd. Presley banters with the audience when they're not trying to hug him (he does kiss many a fan, too). But it's his sense of humor that comes through most in "EPiC": Rehearsing The Beatles' "Something," Presley croons, "Something in the way she moves ..." and he quips to his band, "These are suggestive lyrics, man."
Something else that Luhrmann found in their digging: Presley spoke to his band for 45 minutes, unbroken on tape, "about his life and he was so unguarded," he said. The movie includes pieces of that, including Presley stating, "There's a lot being said, but I'd like to have the opportunity to tell my side of the story."
That prompted Luhrmann to "let Elvis sing and tell his story himself. And that was really the choice. Kind of a dream."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elvis Presley documentary 'EPiC' lets the King tell his own story
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