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Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Orion: The Man Who Would Be King Released Dec 4, 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

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times 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. Dec 10, 2015 Full Review Neil Genzlinger New York Times It's a curious, bittersweet story, flecked with dashes of bombast and overstatement that Presley himself would have admired. Dec 3, 2015 Full Review Alan Scherstuhl Village Voice 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. Dec 1, 2015 Full Review Phil W. Bayles One Room With A View Ellis' story has its fair share of bleak moments; tragic reminders of just how much one can lose in the search for fame. Rated: 5/5 May 8, 2019 Full Review Nathanael Hood Screen Comment Funny, compelling, and heart-felt. Rated: 7/10 Dec 27, 2018 Full Review Jack Rodgers TV Guide 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. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 19, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 28 minutes with re-enactments about a resurrection of Elvis Aaron Presley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/11/23 Full Review ken k 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! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/01/16 Full Review Audience Member A brilliantly fascinating and moving documentary, about a man who wanted to achieve stardom. He could do just that, if he remained unknown. Jack. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/orion-manwho-would-be-king-dir-jeanie.html Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review 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 , Glimmer Films, Creative England, BBC Storyville
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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