Elvis by the Presleys

A touching story of Elvis'early life, and decline, as told by Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley. Also includes Elvis'cousin Patsy, and Former "Memphis Mafia" member, Jerry Schilling. Priscilla's parents are also shown talking about Elvis. Talks about Elvis the superstar, Elvis the husband and father, through home movie clips, and concert clips. Elvis is heard preforming such songs as "Seperate Ways, Hawaian wedding song, and others. Some of the home movie clips have never been seen before, and this includes clips of Elvis and Priscilla as a couple, and clips of Lisa, as a child. The show shows more of Elvis' good side, more of what has not been written about him. Such as: He was a doting father, who loved his family very much. It also shows Elvis' fragility, that which may have led to his down fall. All in all, it promotes more time to Elvis the human being, more than Elvis the superstar. After all, Elvis was human too...

This wonderful tribute to Elvis hosted by Priscilla Presley contains home movies, interviews, clips from the '68 comeback special, Aloha from Hawaii, outtakes, Elvis: That's the Way it is, his films - in short, everything you could possibly want to see in an Elvis tribute.

Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Priscilla's parents, Elvis' cousin, and Jerry Schilling give the audience great insight into Elvis' personality, Priscilla's life with him, his differences with Colonel Tom Parker, his artistic frustrations, his drug problems, and his spiritual quest.

Even for die-hard Elvis fans who have seen and read everything (if that's possible), there will probably be something new here. Outstanding for me were the stories of Elvis' generosity and the continuation of his charitable interests by the family.

Most touching, I think, was how much he loved his daughter, and how much, 28 years later, people who were in his life still miss him to the point of tears. The musical highlight: "If I Can Dream."

The footage of Elvis on tour shortly before he died is harrowing. I've seen it before, but it never fails to shock. People always talk about the "fat Elvis" - in truth, though Elvis was heavier in the '70s than he was in the '60s, it wasn't until the very end that he became badly bloated and obviously ill.

But like the documentary, I prefer to dwell on that groundbreaking talent, fabulous songs, magical smile, and unbelievable charisma that was, and always will be, Elvis Presley.

Elvis by the Presleys (2005)

*** (out of 4)

Documentary produced by the Presley family to tell their side of the story in regards to The King. I'd suspect many will find the film too clean and one-sided but I didn't mind this since there's really nothing wrong with hearing good stories about the man. The best moment takes place when their discussing Elvis the father, which contains some great home movies. Another interesting thing is hearing Priscilla talk about the films Elvis was making for MGM and why she feels he finally gave up on life. The lack of drug taking on The King's part also made for an interesting segment. With all the concert footage, home movies and personal stories it's easy to recommend this to fans.

28 years, well almost, he has been gone. This special delivered a great in site to a man many under 35 only know in song and those B-Movie re-runs on mid day and late night TV. A good documentary on this famous man with many glimpses into his personal life that a lot of people probably never knew. It was a worth while effort on the part of his family to make this movie and is well worth a look see by those who missed it when it shows again on TV.

It was put together with a lot of style, integrating some of the themes of his songs with pictures and home/new video clips of his life. Also a good sprinkling of never before seen (or heard) moments of both Elvis and Percilla's personal family life and the professional life of the "King of Rock and Roll".

I always known how Elvis was such a generous person, nothing new there, but it was nice to see it again and to show the public how kind he really was. Had his trails and tribulations just like every one of us. But was always striving to make people happy.

A couple of things really tug at my heart string. When Lisa and Priscilla still got choked up just to talk about the day he passed away, reached down in me how it is so hard to talk about my mother who passed away 7 years ago. Its like you are sharing that exact same feeling with them.

And the song "If I can dream" was so heart felt. Just can't understand why more people don't sing it. Very very touching film. Really enjoyed seeing how the mother and daughter put that era in their own words.