Customer Reviews

Protecting the King

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

 

 

I should have checked to see who wrote and directed this amateurish pseudo-biopic before we rented it. D. Edward Stanley--otherwise known as David, Elvis' stepbrother, is the one who wrote and directed this turkey.

I hope he also ponied up the money to make it, because damn--I hate to think of anyone else losing cash on it. This film is self-aggrandizing in the extreme, and ridiculous. I mean, I knew it would be bad, but I was hoping it would be bad enough to be campy, but when I, a woman, can do a better Elvis impersonation than the actor playing Elvis--I knew we were in for trouble.

The writing was wretched. Apparently David Stanley doesn't know that personal pronouns exist, nor did he want anyone to forget that the movie was about HIM, not Elvis, because every time another character spoke to the main character, it was "David, blah, blah, blah...." to be followed by "But, David, blah, blah blabbity blah."

We took to counting the times that his name was said in the film, and gave up after twenty. It was too ridiculous. People simply DO NOT talk like that.

I won't mention the direction except to say it was utterly pathetic. Okay, I will have to add that the stunt coordination was amazingly horrible. The Kenpo Karate "master" is shown flailing around like a hooked fish being dragged to shore, and it was so embarrassing, I just wanted to scream, "CUT!"

A first year film student could have done better. My advice for Mr. Stanley is to try a few semesters of film school, or maybe even just read some books on screenwriting. William Goldman's book is good, I hear.

Please don't rent this movie. It isn't bad enough to really be funny, it is just pathetic. And certainly don't buy it.

As a fan of Elvis Presley's for more than 20 years I have seen and heard a lot about Elvis Presley from people who knew him, claimed to know him, etc. Yes, David Stanley (using the name D. Edward Stanley to direct this garbage, probably doesn't want anyone to know it's garbage) was his step-brother, until Vernon divorced his mother in the early or mid-1970s, why didn't he mention Elvis by name? He also did no justice to Elvis, his memory or his legacy. Upon watching this "movie", and I use the term "movie" loosely I noticed, and at first, and wondered who "Frank", "Jeff" and, I believe, "Darrell" are that worked for Elvis. Then I realized it was Red West, his cousin Sonny West and Joe Esposito. Must have been some reason, legal or otherwise, that the names were changed. He (D. Edward Stanley) had Elvis portrayed improperly. The hair was too short, the sideburns weren't correct either, what about the weight gain Elvis went through during the last 5 years of his life. Also, his eyes were blue not brown. Thanks for making a rotten "movie" that does only you justice David. It should have been titled the "David (D. Edward Stanley) Stanley Story", it would have sold or rented fewer copies than it did. It went on about David this or David that more often than I can remember. It made him, the "star" of the "movie", David Stanley appear to be a jerk. The key word in my last sentence is appear, I do not know D. Edward Stanley and do not wish to pass judgement on him, just stating an opinion. What about the rest of the world that has plenty of Elvis fans, like me, that deserve to know what was really happening? I must say the only good scene in the "movie" came when Red West (given a different name here) punched David Stanley in the face. Too bad "the Boss" made him apologize for it. From the way it looked they (the ones called "Jeff" and "Frank") appear to hate, despise and basically want to beat the you-know-what out of David Stanley (D. Edward Stanley) for a good portion of the "movie". It's a shame they didn't, must have been afraid of what "The Boss" (I thought Bruce Springsteen was "The Boss" and Elvis "The King" or am I the only that notices this?) would do to them (fire them?). If all the people who knew Elvis from Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, through the musicians that played with him during the 1960s and 1970s and any family members and friends got together and tried to put out a movie all together, it probably would NEVER be made. The actors in this "movie" should never admit to it. The worst "movie" ever made about Elvis Presley in any way, shape or form. You'd be better off watching Elvis That's The Way It Is (this really is a movie!), at least it is more about Elvis and true to life at that point.
MY RECOMMENDATION AND IN MY OPINION: don't even rent this "movie" it's just a plain old piece of junk not worth the time. Too bad I can't get all my money back (tax included). Thank goodness FYE bought it and, as far as I know, can't sell it as a "used" dvd. Well, I lost $10.86 and about an hour and a half.

Here is a Elvis bio movie unlike any others so far that I have seen.
I have been an Elvis fan for more than 30 years and grew up in a household with a brother who was a fan since the very early 60's. I have been fasinated with with this mans life for a very long time, collecting his music, movies and approx 100 biographies. What really made me a fan was to see him in concert towards the end of his life, (Oct 1976). At the time I was an 18 year old Kiss fan but at this concert he proved to me he was the King of Rock N Roll.
Ok enough about me, this film produced, written and directed by Elvis'step-brother is not as bad as I thought it would be, yes it appears cheaply done and the directing is a little over the top, but the actors for the most part have done a pretty good job.
The characters have almost all been renamed so it makes it a little game for the true Elvis fan to try to figure out who they really are suppose to be. Even Elvis' name is never mentioned in the movie he is always called either "Boss" or "The King". Darrell who is presumably Charlie Hodge has the least flattering portrayal. Tom Sizemore portrays Ronny who I figured was Joe Esposito but in the directors commentary Stanley says he is Lamar Fike, but I believe he portrays Esposito, but maybe he is a composite of both. Oddly Elvis' women are downplayed, not seen and barely mentioned.
The soundtrack is the worst part of this film, no Elvis music is used, and no singing. I don't like it when they make up songs to sound like Elvis music when it isn't.
The story is interesting as I sayed before I am facinated with this guys life and a behind the scenes look from someone who was there is facinating. It is common knowledge now that Elvis and his Image were not the same, Elvis had to deal with a lot in his life, from poor southern kid to the most famous entertainer in the world. When everyone tells you you are a King you are bound to start believing it and acting it.
One other odd thing about this film is the end credits with a disclaimer stating " All events and characters in this film are fictional any resembalance to actual persons is strictly coincedental". But the DVD cover calls this movie "A True Story" You can't have it both ways.

I bought this movie and I enjoyed watching it. I have read many books on Elvis. I have listened to others, who lived with the Elvis, be interviewed. This movie seems to fall into line with what everyone else has stated in the past. This movie is about "David" and what he saw and how he felt while touring with Elvis. I found this to be great, because I felt I was a "fly on the wall" to what was happening behind the scenes. The hard core Elvis fans will not like the movie because it reflects the hardships and weaknesses of Elvis. We are all human and we all have them. I dislike movies that are "white washed" and just show one side of a person. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see the truth about life on the road.

Someone said it was his step-brother self agrandizing. I know the Executive Producer of this film personally. She researched the script and verified even the smallest details. They were scheduled to shoot at several actual locations that the incidents occured in and were cancelled on several times after the initial bookings due to the family stepping in. I don't think they would worry about a small indie film like this if it didn't hit close to home.

these other reviews did not lie whatsoever. this movie completely sucks and i only made it maybe 30 minutes in. it sucks so bad that this is the first time i have ever reviewed a movie anywhere. the only thing ive ever reviewed online has been ebay purchases, etc. but as an elvis fan i've got to!!!! the guy never calls him elvis nor does anyone the whole time. its either king or boss. i had too much of that when dude goes back home and he's telling his mama that boss got him some job. im beginning to think that maybe noone wanted this guy to make this movie over at ep enterprises. even the actual names of the actual people were changed. i was even pissed at the guy who plays elvis and dont really know why because he doesn't do much. stay away from this crap and joe esposito, if you read this by chance rip this guy a new one please for all elvis fans. i give this movie negative 2 stars if possible, none if i can get away with it and submit or 1 star if you have to choose one. dont rent this movie people and please don't buy it lol

I'm really confused by the above reviews. This movie was originally titled "The Headhunter", and then retitled "Protecting the King". It's not about Elvis's life, it's about his step-brother's life as his bodyguard. I think if people bothered to read the description, they wouldn't be so disappointed. The move is about DAVID STANLEY'S life, not Elvis Presley's life. Overall, I thought it was an interesting perspective from someone who was there firsthand.

Another good Elvis movie--except for the profanity. I know a lot of that went on, but I could have done without it. Then, the whole family could have watched it. It was a good story about David Stanley. I was wondering why the other two Stanley boys were not included in the movie. And why Dee Stanley Presley's hair was reddish-brown instead of blond. Anyway, it was an interesting Elvis movie, and I was drawn to the character David. You had to like this guy. And all the actors were great, especially the guy who played Elvis. I thought the end of the movie was well done. Very sad.

i only got this as a used item, as I didn't want to spend money on this at all. No where in the entire DVD is Elvis Presley's name mentioned, you just have to guess. I am sure they did not get licensing okay from EPE. I watched it and didn't hate it, but it is not exactly what you would expect.

Seemed like a cheap way to cash in on being Elvis' step-brother. On the other hand, it was entertaining. Also, if the story ending is true, then Mr. Stanley got a raw deal and I can understand why he felt he should tell his story his way. Elvis' name is never mentioned, so you have to imagine most of this. Elvis' persona is not tarnished too much by this film, but there is a lot of reference to the darned overdone drug stuff.
If you are curious, not a bad film.