This Is Elvis *** (1981, Elvis Presley, David Scott, Paul Boensch III, Dana MacKay, Johnny Harra) – Classic Movie Review 10,909

The 1981 musical biographical documentary This Is Elvis is an intimate, lovingly handled cinema feature biopic of the King, some of it re-enacted as dramatisations but most of it archive footage of home movies, TV clips, concert footage and scenes from several of his 33 films, and interviews with Elvis, his fans and intimates.

It is in many ways more immediate and involving than his film musicals, though, as usual with the case in this sort of film – In Bed with Madonna for instance – it seems more revealing than it actually is.

Like all film stars, Presley is all the more intriguing if we don’t finally understand him. It runs 101 minutes. DVD version: 144 minutes.

It is written and directed by Malcolm Leo and Andrew Solt.

Four actors play Presley in the re-enactment scenes: Paul Boensch III at age 10, David Scott at age 18, Dana MacKay at age 35 and Johnny Harra at age 42. Lawrence Koller, Debbie Edge and Rhonda Lyn provide voice-overs for Vernon Presley, Gladys Presley, and Priscilla Presley. Presley’s former road manager Joe Esposito and girlfriend Linda Thompson provide their own narrations.

It was advertised as ‘The rare personal films never before seen by the public’ but the film declares ‘Certain sequences in this film were recreated’.

It has a voice-over narration by pop singer Ral Donner, imitating Presley’s speaking voice.

RCA Records released the film soundtrack as a double LP album in 1981.

A two-disc DVD set of the film was released on 7 August 2007 commemorating the 30th anniversary of Presley’s death.

Presley is credited only in the extended version for cable and later home video releases.

It grossed $2 million in the US and Canada, making it number 92 at the box office for 1981.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,909

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