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Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Orion: The Man Who Would Be King 2015 1h 28m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In 1979, Jimmy Ellis is plucked from obscurity and hired to masquerade as Elvis back from the grave.

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Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Critics Reviews

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Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times 12/10/2015
Through dynamic use of archival footage and intimate new interviews with Ellis' friends and family - all of them founts of down-home sincerity - Finlay unearths a fascinating biography filled with reversals, comebacks and false starts. Go to Full Review
Neil Genzlinger New York Times 12/03/2015
It's a curious, bittersweet story, flecked with dashes of bombast and overstatement that Presley himself would have admired. Go to Full Review
Alan Scherstuhl Village Voice 12/01/2015
Ellis, who died in 1998, speaks for himself in abashed interview clips. He loved singing and his not-quite-fame, but he yearned to be known for who he was. His music powers the film, and it's well-sung and agreeable Elvis apocrypha. Go to Full Review
Phil W. Bayles One Room With A View 05/08/2019
5/5
Ellis' story has its fair share of bleak moments; tragic reminders of just how much one can lose in the search for fame. Go to Full Review
Nathanael Hood Screen Comment 12/27/2018
7/10
Funny, compelling, and heart-felt. Go to Full Review
Jack Rodgers TV Guide 10/19/2016
3.5/5
Orion: The Man Who Would Be King might be a well-made documentary or just one that got ahold of an astonishing true story, but either way, it's fascinating from beginning to end. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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ken k 05/01/2016 This one blew me away! At first I thought it was a Mockumentary about Elvis impersonators but when I realized that Jimmy Ellis was a real person I could not believe it was really him singing. I have seen many of the best impersonators but Ellis could have fooled Elvis's family. Simply uncanny, tragic and sad...a great talent born too late! Do not miss this one! See more 04/19/2016 A brilliantly fascinating and moving documentary, about a man who wanted to achieve stardom. He could do just that, if he remained unknown. Jack. See more 04/13/2016 this documentary about the man with a voice just like the one from the King,is bittersweet,sad in some ways,but it's really worth your time,especially if you're an Elvis fan.I was pleased with this story. See more 12/31/2015 This is another superb doc from 2015. The compelling story of a man who was 'cursed' or 'blessed' with sounding exactly like Elvis manipulated or otherwise into wearing a mask so that he could seek the fame he craved. A real life Bubba Hotep but without the mummy or JFK. See more 11/30/2015 http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/orion-manwho-would-be-king-dir-jeanie.html See more 11/08/2015 Saw this in Bristol recently, Orion is the story of an unlikely Elvis impersonator featuring interviews from the people who knew him best. An unusual documentary that leaves enough questions unanswered to keep your curiosity about Orion flowing beyond the runtime. See more Read all reviews
Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1979, Jimmy Ellis is plucked from obscurity and hired to masquerade as Elvis back from the grave.
Director
Jeanie Finlay
Producer
Jeanie Finlay, Dewi Gregory
Screenwriter
Jeanie Finlay
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Ffilm Cymru Wales , Creative England, BBC Storyville, Glimmer Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 4, 2015, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 4, 2017
Runtime
1h 28m
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