1981
PG
Warner Bros.
1 h 41 m

1981
PG
Warner Bros.
1 h 41 m

Summary The life and career of Elvis Presley are chronicled in home movies, concert footage, and dramatizations. Subjects include early performances, army service, Ed Sullivan Show appearance, marriage, 1968 comeback, health decline and death.

Directed By: Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt

Written By: Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt

1981
PG
Warner Bros.
1 h 41 m

1981
PG
Warner Bros.
1 h 41 m

This Is Elvis

Name: This Is Elvis
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Released: 1981-04-10
Duration: 1 min 41 s
Rating: 71
Cast: Elvis Presley, David Scott, Paul Boensch III, Johnny Harra, Lawrence Koller

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt

Written By: Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

80% Positive
8 Reviews

20% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

80% Positive
8 Reviews

20% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Entertainment Weekly

Its ambition is so great that the production’s occasional melodramatic touches can not only be forgiven, but viewed as having been executed in the spirit of the man himself.

By Ken Tucker FULL REVIEW

The Associated Press

Unlike previous documentaries, this one focuses on the star's life more than his music and gives the best hints yet of why Presley's skyrocket ride to stardom led him to self-destruct. [11 May 1981]

By Linda Deutsch FULL REVIEW

Newsweek

Anyone who feels immune to the charisma of Elvis Presley should immediately see This Is Elvis. If you are not transfixed by his sexual aura, his liquid musical ease, his promiscuous stylistic range and his mysterious mixture of shyness and vulgarity, chances are you've been living at odds with the second half of the twentieth century. [04 May 1981, p.44]

By David Ansen FULL REVIEW

Variety

A real curiosity item, This Is Elvis is a fast-paced gloss on Presley's life and career packed with enough fine music and unusual footage to satisfy anyone with an Interest in the late singing idol.

FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

This isn't a particularly well-made film, or even a truthful one - as a matter of fact, its fraudulence is its one uncompromising aspect. And yet it is mesmerizing, if not as a drama or documentary, then as an artifact.

By Janet Maslin FULL REVIEW

The New Yorker

The film is hair-raising because of what Elvis turns into.

By Pauline Kael FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

At times it is fascinating, at other times pure Memphis cornpone.

FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company David L. Wolper Productions

Release Date Apr 10, 1981

Duration 1 h 41 m

Rating PG

Genres

Tagline The rare personal films never before seen by the public.

This Is Elvis

Where to Watch

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Top Cast

Elvis Presley

Self

David Scott

Elvis - Age 18

Paul Boensch III

Elvis - Age 10

Johnny Harra

Elvis - Age 42

Lawrence Koller

Vernon Presley

Rhonda Lyn

Priscilla Presley

Debbie Edge

Gladys Presley

Larry Raspberry

Dewey Phillips

Furry Lewis

Bluesman

Liz Robinson

Minnie Mae Presley

Dana MacKay

Elvis - Age 35

Knox Phillips

Sam Phillips

Cheryl Needham

Linda Thompson

Andrea Cyrill

Ginger Alden

Jerry Phillips

Bill Black

Emory Smith

Scotty Moore

Ral Donner

Elvis Presley - Narration

Joe Esposito

Self - Narration

Linda Thompson

Self - Narration

Lisha Sweetnam

Priscilla Presley - Narration

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User Reviews

Details

Details

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