Elvis

1979

2 hr. 30 min.

Biography

List

60%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Covering the rise of music legend Elvis Presley (Kurt Russell), this film starts with his early years in Mississippi and Tennessee raised by his parents, Gladys (Shelley Winters) and Vernon (Bing Russell). Eventually, Elvis forms a partnership with "Colonel" Tom Parker (Pat Hingle) that leads to the release of his first song, "Heartbreak Hotel," which zooms to the top of the charts. Elvis soon catapults to stardom, marrying the beautiful Priscilla (Season Hubley) and becoming an actor too.

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Brianna B

This movie is SO boring. And I'm huge Elvis fan!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

Steve D

The acting is fine but the script isn't much and the song dubbing is ridiculous.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Elvis D

Con esta película John Carpenter demuestra que es mucho más que un maestro del terror y la ciencia ficción. La película tiene un guion aceptable que narra de buena manera los inicios de Elvis Presley y se va adentrando más en su ascenso en la fama que pronto acaba afectando su mente y peor con la muerte de su madre, llevando todo esto al deterioro de su matrimonio. Kurt Russell hizo muy bien su papel como Elvis y fue impresionante que su canto fuera igual al del Elvis original. Simplemente, una película aceptable que lastimosamente tuvo algunas limitaciones, ya que se pudo explorar más como la censura que le quisieron aplicar a Elvis, su participación en el mundo del cine y concluir con su descenso a las drogas que lo llevo a su muerte. Claro que era demasiado para resumir, pero Carpenter supo hacer una buena película con buen argumento. Es difícil saber si John Carpenter hubiera logrado hacer muy buenas películas del género dramático en vez del terror, pero al menos hizo un buen intento que salió bien y esta película merece ser reconocida al igual que las demás obras de John Carpenter. Mi calificación para esta película es un 8/10.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/11/23

Full Review

Jake H

Why anyone would rate this film as anything less than 5 stars is beyond my comprehension. Kurt Russell and Shelley Winters are sublime.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Michael A

Kurt Russell transitions from teen idle, Disney mainstay to perhaps the best Elvis ever. One of the best TV movies of its time. Completely different than any other Carpenter, Russell collaboration.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/22

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a fairly typical biopic, as it feels like a lot is glossed over, but for a 70s TV film, Carpenter and Russell do a commendable job in telling the King's story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/21

Full Review

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

Elvis Presley

Shelley Winters

Gladys Presley

Season Hubley

Priscilla Presley

Pat Hingle

Colonel Tom Parker

Bing Russell

Vernon Presley

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William Jones

CBR

John Carpenter's Elvis expertly tackled the star's complex life in intimate fashion, deconstructing his public persona.

Jan 9, 2023

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

There's nothing "wrong" with this instinct to heal the hearts of (and extract advertising dollars from) a grieving nation, but dramatic it ain't.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 4, 2022

Full Review

John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Respectful, unpretentious and elegant (a Carpenter characteristic), if somewhat ungainly in its substitution of California real estate for Memphis and Mississippi locations, the modestly budgeted 'Elvis' remains the definitive screen portrayal of Presley.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 29, 2016

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Seanax.com

[John] Carpenter... puts the dramatic focus on the relationships and tricky social dynamic with the male friends who became Elvis support group and entourage.

Mar 25, 2010

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Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

A performance de Russell impecvel; como se vssemos o prprio Elvis. Porm, o fraco roteiro se limita a retratar momentos da vida deste, sem procurar conhec-lo melhor.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 31, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Covering the rise of music legend Elvis Presley (Kurt Russell), this film starts with his early years in Mississippi and Tennessee raised by his parents, Gladys (Shelley Winters) and Vernon (Bing Russell). Eventually, Elvis forms a partnership with "Colonel" Tom Parker (Pat Hingle) that leads to the release of his first song, "Heartbreak Hotel," which zooms to the top of the charts. Elvis soon catapults to stardom, marrying the beautiful Priscilla (Season Hubley) and becoming an actor too.

Director: John Carpenter
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 7, 2007