Elvis: A True Account of His Life

[The King's Queen]

Lately I've noticed several threads about Elvis and movies, and even some mention of Elvis' portrayal in the Johnny Cash movie. This got me to thinking...:hmm:

Let's say that someone seriously wanted to make a biography that was as accurate as it could be without having Elvis' own involvement. Out of all the books that have floated around in the past 31 years, whose should be used? Whose stories should be considered valid enough to be added? And who would you pick for the cast? :hmm::hmm::hmm:

[Broussey]

I think jerry schilling's book was pretty good , i feel that he truly love and thought of elvis as his best friend and i don't think he would ever say anything made up about elvis i feel that his book was done truthfully ..
As for cast have really don't have a clue ?!?!?
any takes if you feel that Jerry's book is Worthy of a film

[midnight]

I would also pick Jerry Schilling`s story. I really enjoyed that book. I would have no idea who to pick for the cast. Every Elvis story I have seen was ruined by someone trying to play him. They always over do it with some awful wig and over the top sideburns. It would be very difficult to find someone to do justice in playing Elvis.

[MojoElvis]

I know what I wouldn't pick. Any of the, Stanley's accounts.

[Donut]

To me it would be good bits from different ones, specially accounts that many have agreed on like being factual and the most important thing would be the whole put together by a neutral person because every film about him and every appearance of Elvis in other´s biopic has been always to make everyone but Elvis look good. With this i don´t mean i would like the negatives aspects of his life to be avoid because the final product wouldn´t be realistic but I´m a little tired of people blaming Elvis for their own mistakes in life. In my opinion he is always used to excuse others behaviour.

[Getlo]

Guralnick's Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love are all you need.

Nothing will ever top these two tomes. there is no need to write another biography about Elvis Presley.

All of the books written by friends, family etc are tainted with their relationships with Elvis. Guralnick is impartial.

Couple them with the Recording Sessions books for a complete picture.

Having said that, there is no way a filmed biography should be made either. The story has been done to death. No movie could add anything new.

[kathy parkinson]

I agree with Getlo, and as for casting someone to play Elvis, an unknown actor in my opinion.

[The King's Queen]

Having said that, there is no way a filmed biography should be made either. The story has been done to death. No movie could add anything new.

Perhaps nothing "new" could be added Getlo...but it might be a BETTER view of Elvis himself. What we have gotten in the past is someone else's tales, with their own personal spin put on it. ;)

[marijaep]

Guralnick's Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love are all you need.

Nothing will ever top these two tomes. there is no need to write another biography about Elvis Presley.

All of the books written by friends, family etc are tainted with their relationships with Elvis. Guralnick is impartial.


I agree. Guralnick did an outstanding job writing these books and they are the best Elvis biographies I've read so far.

I can't think of an actor at the moment that would do a good job on playing Elvis. Even if they find a good actor, I have the feeling that I will always compare him with the "real Elvis" and that way he will never be "good enough". I'd like to see a movie done about Elvis's life and carrier though, I think that will bring Elvis a bit closer to today's youth. If that ever happens, I hope they will portray Elvis in a good way, without mistakes or added stuff for publicity :doh: ...if that is possible :hmm:

[ehollier]

Guralnick's Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love are all you need.

Nothing will ever top these two tomes. there is no need to write another biography about Elvis Presley.

All of the books written by friends, family etc are tainted with their relationships with Elvis. Guralnick is impartial.

Couple them with the Recording Sessions books for a complete picture.

Having said that, there is no way a filmed biography should be made either. The story has been done to death. No movie could add anything new.

You are so right!!! No other book is as impartial as the 2 books by Guralnick. (y)(y)(y)

[Sonny]

The likes of Guralnic should write a tv script for the ultimate Elvis story.

That movie should have before the final editing, a screening in a cinema with Elvis fans.

And let them tell the makers what is wrong and what is not.

Because, anything, anyone will create about Elvis will in the end show mistakes all over the place. Like the Johnny Cash movie did as well.

Then again, this will never happen. Nice idea though... :D

[Donut]

Then again, this will never happen. Nice idea though... :D

I don´t agree with you on this. I think it will be done some day but we wil be too old to have the strengh to complain...:flex:

[Sonny]

Yes, that could be true! :D

[SleepyJack]

Have to agree with the the choices of "Last train to Memphis" and "Careless love"........but,that said.....I doubt if you could fit all that in a movie without changing the essence of it.I reckon that even if someone does decide to make a movie it would inevitably follow the well-worn path of poor boy....success...movies..comeback....final years...y`know the drill.Hope they don`t!!

[ehollier]

Have to agree with the the choices of "Last train to Memphis" and "Careless love"........but,that said.....I doubt if you could fit all that in a movie without changing the essence of it.I reckon that even if someone does decide to make a movie it would inevitably follow the well-worn path of poor boy....success...movies..comeback....final years...y`know the drill.Hope they don`t!!


I agree. Some things are just better left not done!!! :P:P:P

[Gary1]

Guralnick's Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love are all you need.

Nothing will ever top these two tomes. there is no need to write another biography about Elvis Presley.

All of the books written by friends, family etc are tainted with their relationships with Elvis. Guralnick is impartial.

Couple them with the Recording Sessions books for a complete picture.

I have to say i agree with Getlo.If these books were turned into a movie it would be well worth seeing.

[cameron]

I don't think a True Account can be made without an input from Elvis.
Plus, I agree .We'd never be satisfied with anyone portraying him.
Maybe after we're all gone; a movie can be made .
I just don't see how one would be accepted now; no matter how realistic it is. :hmm:

[ehollier]

When a book is transformed into a movie, whatever expectations that were expected, are usually not met. Each person has his or her own version of how a book should be interpretted and story lines of movies seldom met anyone's idea of true to script. I believe that enough has been made about Elvis and the "interpretation" of the facts. I say leave well enough alone.

[Tony Trout]

I don't think a True Account can be made without an input from Elvis.
Plus, I agree .We'd never be satisfied with anyone portraying him.
Maybe after we're all gone; a movie can be made .
I just don't see how one would be accepted now; no matter how realistic it is. :hmm:



Bingo. Cameron nailed it.

[KPM]

IMO I think their are a few people in life who have such powerful and unique personalities that it is very hard to do their life in film. Maybe a definitive movie biography on Elvis is just not possible for that reason. But as long as some money can be made I'm sure it will not stop producers from trying now and then.

[geordie]

I WOULD GO WITH CARELESS LOVE AND LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS AS WELL.
I DONT THINK I WILL BE READING ANYMORE BOOKS ON ELVIS AFTER READING THESE 2 :king:

[Lisarose]

Guralnik's books are very good, I just wish he'd written more about the MSG concert as he did the 68 Comeback and the Aloha Show.

Gotta agree with Cameron on casting, tho, we would not be pleased with anyone that could protray Elvis. I can't even come up with anyone I'd want to see as Gladys.

[waymore44]

What's funny is I hated Johnathan Rhys Meyers in the Elvis movie, but I LOVE him in The Tudors. He almost has more Elvis in him in The Tudors speaking with an English accent than he did playing Elvis. I'm not sure I understand what went wrong with his portrayal. I actually think that he was capable of pulling it off but it was a rush job and not enough time and effort was put into it to make it great.

I have to agree that Last Train and careless Love should be the standard. As far as who else could play EP, that's just almost an impossible task.