Customer Reviews

Elvis: The Mini-Series

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I hate biopics...the stars are never as interesting or charismatic as the artists they portray and they just come across as second class...TV!
well...I passed on this when it ran on the tube...and I WAS WRONG! This is off the hook good...the star gets Elvis...the shyness, the enthusiasm, the desire for fame....the naive little boy in the ever evolving sex symbol package, Randy Quaid is dead on perfect as the Colonel..and the rest of the cast does not dissapoint.

I am telling you...the recreations are breathtakingly cool.. these producers GOT IT...and GOT IT RIGHT...
this is from a very very hard to please skeptic...

Elvis fans will love it...casual fans who may be interested because of all the press on Elvis this week (30th anniversary of his passing)..this would be a great place to learn about The King!

As a life long Elvis fan this was one of the better movies about the 'King'! Of course there is nothing like the original...but this movie covered alot of territory that has not been touched upon before. I was glad to finally see a portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker as he really was suppose to be..a real CREEP! This film finally shows just how deep Elvis got in with Parker, and in the end did stand up for himself. Having been to Graceland, the realism of the filming being done in Memphis(for certain scenes) was the best. The supporting actors are also great! Besides getting to the truth on Parker we get to see that Elvis and Ann-Margret were involved as she attests to in her bio, and now we get to see what really happened. I have seen this movie several times thanks to 'Showtime Channel' and am so glad that it will be out on DVD this summer- With all the garbage being released daily, I only wish the studios wouldn't make us wait forever for quality shows/movies! To the movie studios..Keep Up The Good Work!!

I saw this movie about two months ago on Showtime. Hadn't heard of it before then. I have been to Graceland, Sun Studio, Beale Street, and various areas around Memphis. It is pretty cool that all the locations used in the movie are historically accurate. I am also a fan of the early Sun Records rockabilly stuff (mainly 1954-1957) and was delighted to see his connection with Sun portrayed accurately. Great movie, great acting, JRM portrays Elvis as the shy, gawky teenager to the later 60's Elvis depressed by how far he had become distanced from his musical roots, and the reality that he was no longer the public figure his entourage was conning him (whether knowingly or unknowingly) into believing he was. I think this is the truest portrayal of who Elvis really was, and even though it it was sad in it's reality at times, it gave me a more "human" view and insight into the "King of Rock and Roll". I can't wait to get the DVD!

I watched this on the television premier. I thought it was very good, with great acting. Meyers did as best as one could acting as Elvis, better than most. Some of the later scenes, primarily for the '68 Comeback special leave something to be desired though. Meyers just looked weird trying to do what Elvis did. Anyway, the story line was enjoyable and they seemed to correctly follow history for the most part. A plus for this mini-series is that they used Elvis real voice/songs. This is something even non-Elvis fans can have fun watching.

This program was awesome. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers perfomance was amazing, he nailed Elvis right down to the blue suede shoes. I think this movie really captured Elvis the person and brought him to life once again. The final scene was inspiring, and summed up the entire story in one song. This shows why to many of us, Elvis will always simply remain, "The King." Also, this story will introduce this legend to a whole new generation.

Great miniseries that feature great performances from Randy Quaid and JR Meyers. Not only does Meyers look and sound like Elvis, but he captures the essence of the man. Randy Quaid is also good as his illegal alien manager, Col. Tom Parker. Robert Patrick is great as always playing Vernon Presley. Camryn Manheim, plays Elvis' beloved mother Gladys.

This film features Elvis as a young man until his crowning achievement with the 68 comeback special.

Pick this one up now, it is possibly the best adaption of Elvis Presley's life. Highly Recommended.

I am a diehard lifelong Elvis fan and this is the ONLY movie on Elvis ever made that is outstanding. Meyers is perfect, without going over the top or looking like an imitator. Other movies had Elvis with his jumpsuit on at Graceland, overdoing the accent, sunglasses on everywhere, ect. (and that includes Kurt Russell who was WAY overrated in his portrayal). The rest of the cast is also outstanding, as well as the script and using the King's real music ! The story line for the most part was very accurate and focused on important things no other movie has. Kudos to Quaids performance of Colonel Tom. I can't believe it took so long to release this on DVD. My only question now would be...can Myers & Co. do a sequel to finish the rest of his life ????!!!!

They have knocked Elvis down, slandered his name; talked about his dark side, and his fortune and fame. They talk about his drugs and his temper too. Still in this movie it's plain to see why don't you stop steppin' on his `blue suede shoes.'
With scenes of Memphis and Vegas, Elvis: The Mini-Series makes for a uniquely entertaining movie. We see Elvis as a southern boy, dirt poor, rising up from the dregs of poverty. In the beginning he is agonizing over his '68 comeback special. America is anticipating seeing him in one of his greatest performances. In flashbacks there is a memorable scene as the Presleys are fighting over the last pork chop. It's a scene that sticks out in Elvis' mind. As he rises to fame he defies his father Vernon and the formidable Colonel Tom Parker (Randy Quaid). His mama dies and he blames himself. Still, he never gives up on his dream.
Camryn Manheim is all right as Priscilla. Rose McGowan captures Ann-Margaret well. But Jonathan Rhys-Meyers literally explodes on the screen. He looks, acts, and sounds so much like Elvis that it is indeed shocking. He shines especially while performing `Blue Suede Shoes.' But, during the riveting '68 concert scenes there is a bit of a disappointment. Rhys-Meyers doesn't quite capture the real thing, but who can truly imitate Elvis at his absolute best?
Elvis sympathized with the less fortunate and gave all that he had to the world before he left us. He had a generous spirit. He lived the American dream. Perhaps that is why we love him and will never forget him. This movie is a must for Elvis fans. He lives on in our hearts. God bless you Elvis. Rest In Peace.

Leave it to the Emmy-hype of Showtime's "The Tudors" to set off the money hungry studio-heads to FINALLY release Jonathan Rhys-Meyers' "Elvis". Wasnt the Golden Globe (2005: Best Actor) enough of a reason for DVD release? All I can say is... its about damn time!! :)

ELVIS is the DVD version of the much lauded television miniseries (it won both Golden Globe and Emmy awards for actors Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Camryn Manheim and Randy Quaid): the transfer of the extended three hour long series to a single DVD format is successful and demonstrates once again that made for television movies can often be superior to the Hollywood format. The film is not without its flaws: the script by Patrick Sheane Duncan is painfully pedestrian at times and the use of lip-syncing using a variety of Presley recordings isn't always convincing. But director James Steven Sadwith manages to overcome the obstacles and gives us a rather personalized view of the life of the King.

The film covers Elvis Presley's life from his near poverty beginnings in Tupelo to his worldwide fame and fortune at his 'comeback' in 1968. The development of the committed guitar-playing singer from his first record through the development of his 'style' and the ultimate glory and insecurity that paired his magic time is well told. If the story seems to be repetitive and goes on too long, then it also is giving the audience time to see the man behind the shadow of fame.

Oddly enough Jonathan Rhys Meyers (now so superb in another biographical series as Henry VIII in 'The Tudors') was imported for the leading role, and while some may question the use of outsourcing here, Rhys Meyers is so convincing in every way that the reasons for casting him are clear. Camryn Manheim offers fine work as Presley's all-important mother and Robert Patrick plays his supportive father. Randy Quaid gives a bravura performance as the oddly successful Colonel Parker. Some of the other roles - Rose McGowan's misfired portrayal of Ann-Margaret and Antonia Bernath's of Priscilla - are less successful, but their contributions are balanced by the fine work of Tom Guinee as the pivotally important Sam Phillips.

In all this is a quality piece of work about one of America's icons whose presence is still palpable thirty years after Presley's untimely death at age 42. The awards given to this film are well earned and the DVD offers a fine (if long) evening of entertainment and nostalgia. Grady Harp, August 07