EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert - Unearthing the King's Lost Performances
A new feature film, "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert," directed by Baz Luhrmann, is set to present previously unreleased footage and audio recordings of Elvis Presley. The project originated from a search for material during the production of the 2022 biopic "Elvis."
This extensive search uncovered approximately 59 hours of film negatives and audio in a Kansas salt mine. The film, described by Luhrmann as a "tone poem" and a "cinematic poem," aims to allow Presley to narrate his own story, focusing on his return to live performances in the late 1960s and his Las Vegas residencies in the early 1970s.
Discovery and Restoration of Archival Material
During research for the 2022 film "Elvis," Baz Luhrmann's team made a remarkable discovery. They located 69 boxes containing 59 hours of previously unseen film negatives. These invaluable materials were stored in Warner Bros film vaults within underground salt mines in Kansas.
Warner Bros supplied over 2,300 rolls of archive material, contributing to the extensive collection.
Additionally, audio recordings of Elvis Presley discussing his creative process, career, and public image were unearthed.
The discovered footage, which included outtakes from earlier concert films like "Elvis: That’s the Way It Is" and "Elvis on Tour," underwent a meticulous restoration process by Peter Jackson's team. The audio recordings required two years of dedicated restoration and rights acquisition efforts.
A significant challenge in production involved numerous audio tracks not syncing with the footage, necessitating the use of lip reading to match tracks to specific visuals. Director Baz Luhrmann invested substantially to preserve and restore the deteriorating film negatives.
Filmmaker's Approach and Production Details
Baz Luhrmann stated that "EPiC" was an "unexpected film." His approach was to "get out of the way" and allow Elvis Presley to narrate his own story without external interpretation.
Luhrmann emphasized that Artificial Intelligence was not utilized in the film's production, confirming "not one frame of AI in this film" and no visual effects beyond Elvis's impact on his audience.
The film's editing incorporates energetic cutting to create a concert-like atmosphere, alongside dreamscape elements. Luhrmann collaborated with Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson to enhance the quality of the original footage. Luhrmann has indicated that the economic viability of this initial release will influence the potential for future projects utilizing the extensive archived material.
Content and Themes
"EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" seamlessly blends profile and performance. It draws from archival footage of Presley's onstage appearances and rehearsal sessions. The film's narration is entirely compiled from Elvis Presley's own audio recordings.
It particularly focuses on his 1969 return to live performance at age 34 following his movie contracts, and his iconic Las Vegas residencies in the early 1970s.
The documentary covers various phases of Presley's career, including his rise in the 1950s, his military service, and his Hollywood film career. It details his ambition for a world tour, which was reportedly prevented by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
The film showcases Presley's musical range, from Sun sessions to gospel. It features electrifying performances of songs like "Suspicious Minds," "Burning Love," and covers by artists such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Presley's initial wariness of "Burning Love" and his spontaneous performance style are highlighted.
The "Polk Salad Annie" sequence is noted for demonstrating his rehearsal process and how his song choices illuminated his personal story, particularly his impoverished upbringing.
The portrayal of Elvis includes his impressive vocal range, guitar proficiency, and evident enjoyment in his performances. The footage reveals Presley's unguarded moments and humor, depicting him as "really open-hearted" and using "goofiness" to connect with audiences and reveal his human side. While depicting Elvis's physical changes over time, the film does not delve into his later struggles with obesity and addiction.
Release Information
"EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" is scheduled to premiere in cinemas on February 19, with a general release planned for February 27. The film is also currently available in IMAX.
Elvis Presley never performed outside the US and Canada, despite a period during his Las Vegas residency performing two sold-out shows daily, seven days a week for four-week stretches over seven and a half years. Luhrmann has indicated an intention to "give Elvis the world tour that he dreamed of but never had" through the film.