cbs Elvis the mini series.

[curtis simpkins]

I have seen few min, of this movie,
so far i have seen so some false plot,

when elvis went into sun to recorded his demo my happiness, they had sam recorded it,
what i have hard sam was'nt in that day,

so i dont think i be watching the rest of it.

i wish when they make a movie i would like them to do it right.
but i will be seeing the presley show this friday,
but on this mini series no way.

but i might see it little bit a time.

[Captain Elwood David]

What you are watching, in essence, ........... is "Elvis-History" in the process of being rewritten & revised ........ to conform to THE MYTH - on a number of levels.

It is sometimes done unintentionally for artistic license ....... & also intentionally to either white-wash or pursue an agenda (mainly EPE, Pris., etc.).

Enjoy the movie(s) (mini-series / "Presley by the Presley's"), but ....... hopefully, discerning fans will also learn to think critically & seek out the true story (reality) using other resources (if they are able to or know how). (Unfortunately, most will not. It's a consequence in part secondary to the dumbing down of society in general ...... ).

Generally speaking: It's easier to think & believe what others tell you to (especially when it sounds better, is simpler, or makes one feel warm & fuzzy inside as a result) ............ vs. ......... learning to actively think, question, challenge, face & accept "reality" for oneself instead. The former is an entirely passive effort, the latter requires an EFFORT.


......... And So It Goes, .......... Indeed .........



- Capt. "EL."

[waymore44]

I think the film has had some pretty good scenes and a pretty decent job by Myers but it's still not as good as it could have been. I'm EXTREMELY bugged that Jonathan does some singing in the studio. Why did they need to do that? They could have used some false starts and alternate take snippets of the REAL Elvis. Scotty and Bill are TOTALLY TERRIBLE. The guys from the TV series were really good. Overall, I like Jonathan better than Kurt Russell because he is showing some of Elvis's sex appeal. Randy Qualid is the BEST Colonel to date. The new Gladys is the BEST Gladys. I still like Billy Greenbush best as Vernon. I thought that I would like them using Elvis's master recordings better than an impersonator but it's odd to hear the actual records being used in a live concert setting. For the TV appearances I wish they had used the versions that were used in This Is Elvis. Why no Sullivan Show?? I also wish they hadn't shown you the real Elvis in a couple of spots because it makes Jonathan so much less convincing. I was hoping that this would be Elvis's "Ray", but it's a far cry from it. BUT what can I expect from a CBS TV movie of the week?

[nabelt24]

Waymore44

I was hoping that this would be Elvis's "Ray", but it's a far cry from it.

I wasn't expecting anything close to "Ray", but something more on the factual side as opposed to previous bio films. I think it's really not that bad... there's a lot of things that bug me like his hair, the moves are kinda spastic and awkward, and he shouldn't of tried to do that lip thing in that scene with the colonel. I wish they'd used the actual live recordings for certain scenes, as well. Other than those few complaints, it's kept true to a lot of the facts that I've heard or read about... there hasn't been too much exageration so far.
All in all, I think he's done a respectful job in presenting Elvis.

What bothers me most is the hair!!! THE HAIR, MAN, THE HAIR!!!!!!!!!

[Captain Elwood David]

...... Other than those few complaints, it's kept true to a lot of the facts that I've heard or read about... there hasn't been too much exageration so far.
All in all, I think he's done a respectful job in presenting Elvis.

I agree, it should be enjoyed for what it is & it will surely create a whole new generation of fans (obviously one goal).

However, ........ don't forget, ...... the movie (according media articles) will not address the 70's EP (a critical decade omission to the whole story & understanding E's life in its proper perspective). Also, while the movie has been said to not shy away from Elvis' promiscuous tendencies & even allude to his early addiction problems -----> will it address the TRUE maneuvering that went on behind EP's eventual marriage to Priscilla & the true origins of his addiction problems (going back to Gladys, the stressors of super-stardom, & the critical events of October 1973 ...?).

----------------------------------

Presenting only one (skewed) side of events (ie: Priscilla's), ...... is also misrepresenting / revising the actual events / history.

I would love to see this angle addressed: Would Elvis had ever cheated on somebody he TRULY loved? Think about it, long & hard. Not making excuses for E the man, but ....... there are other perspectives that should be addressed.

Perspective - always a critical element: Considering the Official source (EPE's endorsement & heavy involvement / oversight) of this project, IMO, ....... makes it inherently FLAWED from the very outset.



- Capt. "EL."

[Cryogenic]

Generally speaking: It's easier to think & believe what others tell you to (especially when it sounds better, is simpler, or makes one feel warm & fuzzy inside as a result) ............ vs. ......... learning to actively think, question, challenge, face & accept "reality" for oneself instead. The former is an entirely passive effort, the latter requires an EFFORT.

Words so blindingly true, it hurts! You're quite the philosopher, Captain El.

That said, it can be intensely overwhelming when one sets about attempting to learn the truth in the case of Elvis - one can end up no more enriched than when they started! The levels of myth, misrepresentation, disinformation, false recollections and over embellishments are staggering.

Still... I'd rather attempt to find my own answers than have them spoon-fed to me by a half-hearted mini series.

I would love to see this angle addressed: Would Elvis had ever cheated on somebody he TRULY loved? Think about it, long & hard. Not making excuses for E the man, but ....... there are other perspectives that should be addressed.

This is something that has crossed my mind, too.

You can almost feel sorry for Elvis in some senses. Going all the way back to, I think, Dixie/June (who he could never have truly ended up with, but nonetheless...), he discovered she had quickly got herself engaged/married in his absence. Of course, Elvis himself had been fooling around something rotten while they were apart - but I can't help feel a tinge of sadness for him. He was part of one world; she another. I don't think he ever consciously realised it but people like Elvis were rallying against those antiquated social standards which he had sprung from. The fact that his divorce from Priscilla was the very first in the Presley family may have weighed heavily on his mind on multiple levels and in ways and means that we cannot possibly comprehend (i.e. it's not so much who the person divorcing him was - but the fact that someone was divorcing Elvis Presley as in "Elvis the man" and "Elvis the Presley").

As you would be able to tell if you've read any of my previous comments, I'm not particularly enamoured by this latest attempt at re-telling Elvis' life. I expect it to be an enjoyable piece of throwaway piece of entertainment and nothing more. It looks far more appealing on a visceral level ("You ungrateful hillbilly! I knew you'd betray me!") than a truly emotional or intellectual one. That's if I'm ever able to catch it in the UK...

[Liverbobs]

Didn't Linda Thompson say she knew that Elvis was faithful the first year they weere together because they were together 24 hours a day? after that he started straying, I think that was the limit to Elvis being faithful, I don't think he could or even wanted to, It must be hard when you have beautiful women literally throwing themselves at you nearly everyday of the week (Chance would be a fine thing!! ) If Elvis ever met his "soul mate" then it would possibly follow the same pattern as Linda, I have friends, male and female who just can't keep their pants on, whereas others would never stray from their partners even if Angelina Jolie made a pass! (whereas I would only stray if Angelina asked me nicely ) monogamy is in the make up of the individual, you are what you are and EP was a "serial philanderer" for good or for bad. That's my twopennerth worth anyway!!!

[Captain Elwood David]

Liverbobs -

I tend to agree with you on all points regarding Elvis. It just wasn't in him, because the man faced temptations that none of us can ever really relate to.

I'm under no delusions regarding EP, ...... & (as I've stated in the past) the "what-if, could've, should've" game is always a fruitless one .... that is best avoided.

EP's nature trapped him into Pris. in Germany. Pris. (IMO) trapped him into a marriage he didn't really want. Now, EP's Legacy is trapped in the clutches of Priscilla's claws spinning a new reality (her's) onto the story (for her sake, for Lisa's sake, & for EP's permanent epitaph; in all cases, for good & bad).

---------------------

Cryo -

Also, much agreed. It's just a "mini-series". In other words, .... a soap-opera.

"Throw-away Entertainment" does indeed sum it up succintly. Only problem is ----> many will be too lazy to even bother trying to look / search beyond it. Such is the nature of mindless TV.


- Capt. "EL."

[Liverbobs]

I hear what you are saying Capt. El and I know you don't like the "should've, would've, could've" way but don't you think if Elvis had lived Pris would have been just one of several "ex -wifes" therefore lessening her importance in the Elvis world from the "Be All" and "End All" to just "The first of several".

A Question for youo you think that the real EP story will come out one day? or will we be forever burdened with these glorified/sanatised/misleading TV series/movies or are we as fans happy to sit back and wallow in this kind of stuff.

The truth is out there but with the passing of time is it getting harder and harder to dig for it, as you have said previously, memories fade and stories alter, I have always felt that the second Guralnick book doesn't appear to be as well written or researched as the first and there is still a book on Elvis' last 10 years crying out to be written,maybe one of our knowlegable scribes on this messageboard feels like narrating the story? many books have tried telling the story, it makes you wonder if any have come close to telling the actual truth.Rant over

[curtis simpkins]

What do you guy's think Elvis had that gold suite on and wereing blue suede shoes.
I don't think he own a pair of blue suede shoes right.

[Captain Elwood David]

.... if Elvis had lived Pris would have been just one of several "ex -wifes" therefore lessening her importance ....

Anything is indeed possible, but I'd like to think that EP had learned his lesson with marriage (on that note: IMO, he was playin' Ginger Alden like a fiddle ).

If EP had wanted Priscilla to run things, he would have stated so in his will. It is what it is, though ...... because handing everything over to Pris. (for Lisa's sake) was Vernon's choice (and a good one in retrospect). Lisa has been well taken care of, ....... & that is probably all that ultimately mattered to EP.

Do you think that the real EP story will come out one day?

Would like to believe so, but it won't be from EPE.

The truth is out there but with the passing of time is it getting harder and harder to dig for it, as you have said previously, memories fade and stories alter, I have always felt that the second Guralnick book doesn't appear to be as well written or researched as the first and there is still a book on Elvis' last 10 years crying out to be written ......

Must agree with you on all points.

Joe Esposito's words relating to this kind of thing:

"We've all gotten older. All our memories are different. And maybe when you read things or believe certain things you read, which you know are not true but eventually they become real ..."

....... are ACCURATE & can be applied to MANY. JE, btw, ..... despite what some ignorant fans / collectors might say otherwise -----> is an honest & straight-shooter about things he both does & does not know; he also keeps it very simple. His words above are further direct evidence for this for all to see.

Reliability varies even amongst those who were there. Some admit it & can see it, others won't or can't.

------------------

With the passage of time, .... more & more opportunities will forever be lost.

The MYTH will overtake reality - it already is & has. The truth, however, will always be out there, for those that know where to look / how to find it.

If EP's last decade is to ever be told & told correctly, ..... I do know one thing: It will take the input of multiple sources piecing together different parts of the puzzle to complete the whole picture accurately.

(Guralnick's 2nd biographical volume fell well short of the mark he obtained with his first. EPE also had hand in the oversight of the second volume.)


- Capt. "EL."

[Captain Elwood David]

What do you guy's think Elvis had that gold suite on and wereing blue suede shoes.
I don't think he own a pair of blue suede shoes right.

Don't expect a "mini-series" to be accurate - on a number of levels.

-------------------------

EP owned a number of pairs of "Blue Suede Shoes." (Graceland also has some as part of their own archives.)



- Capt. "EL."

[paultoronto]

I'll throw my hat in the ring on this one. I enjoyed the mini-series. There were inaccuracies here and there, but overall, it was actually the closest to the real story I've seen so far. The characters were (mostly) well cast, though I still think they could have done better on Elvis himself. At times, he really did resemble Elvis, but why couldn't they have fixed his **** hair! Why go to all of the trouble of perfectly replicating his outfits, and then not fixing the hair!?

I really enjoyed seeing the detail they put into the gold lame suit, his 50's jackets, etc... even the instruments the guys used on stage (DJ's drum head with the cow skin), the guitars, Elvis' guitars, the leather cover, etc. The blue suede shoes... to my knowledge Elvis never wore them with the gold lame, so that was a little creative licence I suppose.

Johnathan at times moved a little like Elvis Presley, but as a person who watches specific footage of Elvis over and over and over to try and get the moves just right, there are some Elvis impersonators out there that are MUCH better at this sort of thing (for example, the moves during Hound Dog... these are signature, and could have been replicated better)... the question is, could they act. I know Dean Z (who was the runner up for the position), and he would have been awesome with the moves, voice, etc... his only downfall was being even a bit shorter than Johnathan.

Another small inaccuracy I noted... in the colonel's office, when Elvis comes to see him BEFORE he receives the Gold Lame.. there is a picture over Elvis' shoulder, of him wearing it... LOL!!! Also, I wish they had actually filmed Elvis' first live performance at the Overton Park Shell, I'm sure it would have been cheap or even FREE for them to film there.. and the park shell could really use the publicity.

That being said, I like that they chose to portray Gladys' drinking, Vernon's not-always-so-agreeble nature, Dixie Locke, etc... Overall... I really think this has hit the nail on the head much better than most other Elvis bio-pics. Plus the fact they really shot things at Graceland, etc... very exciting. If I'd been behind the wheel of this project there are things I would have done differently, but I still look forward to part 2.

[quinn53]

I'm enjoying it. I think Randy Quaid is doing a great job as Tom Parker. I feel the same as Sam Phillips, I ain't calling him colonel. It was kinda funny that they had Elvis in his gold suit and not the gold shoes that he wore with it. The main feeling i'm getting from it is Parker took Elvis for everything he had and didn't give a **** aboout his talent.

[Lonniebealestreet]

One thing I don't like is that I think many people will come away with the impression that Parker made Elvis. But I think that impression in people's minds will carry less weight after they see the tides turn and Elvis fall behind in the sixties, and Parker's stances on the inlvoled career moves (and lack thereof).

[Jungleroom76]

Well now that I have finished watching the mini-series, I guess it's time to chime in with my two-cents!


Of course my MAJOR problem with the mini-series (I mentioned this before it even started) was that it only covered Elvis' life and career through the 1968 special. Obviously, the final years of Elvis' life were very tumultous, to say the least! But still, if you are going to do a mini-series on the life and career of Elvis, shouldn't the film cover his ENTIRE life? But then again, considering this project was sanctioned with EPE's blessing, should we have expected anything less?

I am VERY IMPRESSED with the way The Colonel was portrayed in the film as the get-rich-quick con man that we all know he truly was! They really spent a lot of time showing just how mismanaged Elvis really was, particularly in the later years! I honestly wasn't expecting The Colonel to be portrayed that accurately, especially detailing how Elvis wanted certain things throughout his career and how The Colonel talked him out of those things almost every time! This is another reason I am disappointed that the movie didn't cover the years beyond the '68 special. Could you imagine how much worse The Colonel would have come across in this film if they had shown some of the truly self-centered deals The Colonel brokered for Elvis in the later years, like robbing Elvis of his future royalties on his pre-1973 songs when The Colonel sold the entire back catalog to RCA for one set price? Overall, I think the whole relationship between Elvis and The Colonel was handled very well in the movie, showing just how in-control of every facet of Elvis' life and career The Colonel truly was....even going as far as handling Elvis and Priscilla's wedding! If that one aspect of the film didn't illustrate just how tightly The Colonel was in control....NOTHING did!!!

As for my thoughts on the main actors/actresses in the film:

Right off the top, I have to say that I didn't care for ROBERT PATRICK'S portrayal of Vernon throughout the first half of the mini-series. I thought he appeared almost bored at times during the first half.....but I thought his performance improved dramatically in the second half!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED CAMYRN MANHEIM'S portrayal of Gladys! Although there is very little real footage of Gladys available to compare Camryn's performance to, I thought she did an OUTSTANDING job! There were times I was watching her performance that I could swear I was watching home movies of the real Gladys Presley! Perhaps the BEST performance of the entire mini-series, in my opinion!

While I was skeptical of how well RANDY QUAID would handle his portrayal of The Colonel, I thought he did a VERY GOOD job! He really seemed to have the mannerisms of The Colonel down (compared to what little footage of the real Colonel we have to compare to, that is!). I think Randy did a good job of keeping a slightly mysterious edge to his performance of The Colonel, which worked really well considering what a shady character we all know The Colonel really was! I ESPECIALLY liked the confrontation between Elvis and The Colonel when Elvis demanded that The Colonel work his magic to obtain an emergency leave from the Army for Elvis, to go and see his ailing mother! That was the one time during the mini-series that The Colonel truly looked afraid to stand up to Elvis on something he wanted....and Randy pulled it off very well, I thought!

As far as ANTONIA BERNATH'S portrayal of Priscilla, I thought she did a fair job, but ROSE McGOWEN did a much better job with her performance as Ann-Margret, in my opinion. I think it would still be interesting to see what would have happened if Elvis and Ann had actually gotten together!

And finally.....I move on to JOHNATHAN REYS-MEYER and his portrayal of Elvis. I have to say that in my opinion, it's a 50/50 split! I thought his performance in the first half of the movie was MUCH BETTER than the second half! I did feel he handled Elvis' speaking voice very well for the most part, and I thought his dancing was quite good. However, what was up with THAT HAIR?????? Elvis' hair was one of his most well-known features, especially in the early years, and Johnathan's hair was just plain AWFUL!!! And it certainly didn't get any better as the film went on! AND THEN.....there was the lip synching!!! Did Johnathan actually listen to any of these songs before he attempted to lip-synch them in the mini-series? As nice as it was to finally have an Elvis biography actually feature Elvis' own recordings, it was truly painful at times for me to sit and watch Johnathan try and lip-synch the songs. At times, he didn't appear to know the words, and at other times, his mouth seemed to be stretched into some strange, convoluted position. He really seemed to be over-emphasizing his mouth movements when "singing", which made it seem too obviously fake for me. THE WORST PART of his performance was during the '68 Comeback performances....the entire performance of LAWDY MISS CLAWDY during the "sit-down" portion of the show was REALLY overacted in my opinion, both in his lip-synching and in his overall body movements. But the BIGGEST problem with his performance for me came at the end, during IF I CAN DREAM!!! Not only was the lip-synching just downright awful, but his body movements were UNDESCRIBABLY HORRIBLE!!! At times, he looked stiff as a board, other times he looked like he was having some sort of a horrible body convulsion. If that wasn't the WORST performance in an Elvis biography (second only to Don Johnson's portrayal of Elvis in ELVIS AND THE BEAUTY QUEEN...but that is only because he was horrible throughout the WHOLE movie), then I don't know what is!!! So all in all....I give Johnathan a 50/50 split on his portrayal of Elvis! DEFINITELY better during the first half of the mini-series!

In terms of the overall production of the film, I thought it was decent. Again, the fact that they really focused on just how badly The Colonel mishandled Elvis' entire career was well done! And knowing there were certainly bad periods in Elvis' life, especially his medication problems and his legendary temper flare-ups, I thought these were handled well, for the most part. Some of the facts throughout the film were a bit questionable, most notably the whole situation with The Colonel being an illegal alien....none of that information was ever officially known during Elvis' lifetime, I don't believe. I am sure there was always speculation about something like that, due to The Colonel's absolute refusal to allow Elvis to go on a world tour....but I certainly doubt it was ever openly discussed as it was portrayed in the film. And what is up with the GLARING omission of Elvis' appearance on Ed Sullivan? BARELY a mention of it a couple of times throughout the film, despite the fact that Elvis' appearance on Ed Sullivan was seen by 52 million people!!! You would have thought they would have shown one of Elvis' appearances on the show....but as I said, BARELY a mention...maybe two or three times!

OVERALL....while I found the entire film to be enjoyable, I certainly hope that this mini-series will not be thought of as the "definitive" look at Elvis' life and career! Personally, I just have too many issues with the film for me to consider it a "definitive" biography! But considering they were able to use Elvis' actual recordings in the movie, it is certainly another step in the right direction!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Cryogenic]

Mike...

I want to let it be known that I enjoy your presence on this board immensely. You certainly have some very articulate opinions and know your stuff! (Your FTD reviews are a particular pleasure). Furthermore, I am still a newbie in the Elvis world so you and the other prominent posters of this board TROUNCE my knowledge. However...

As important as I feel it is to show how manipulative and plain invasive The Colonel was, I think it's just as vitally important - if not moreso - to present a fair and balanced perspective of the man and his relationship with Elvis. Not only would that significantly improve the veracity of any given account of Elvis' life story, but it would also invoke the best possible drama and elevate the status and magnificence of the film (the best films are, afterall, founded on moral ambiguity and present a rich cross-section of human behaviour). For example, whilst The Colonel was heinously interfering in Elvis' life by practically forcing him into marriage, he was also, in the words of Captain El, "saving his ***". The Colonel's sale of Elvis' catalogue in 1973 was also almost certainly done at the behest of Elvis who was in financial straits and needed money to pay off Priscilla. On a broader level, Elvis was far too ignorant and timid in business affairs to get very far without a crucial piece of his conscience that was missing - The Colonel was that missing piece.

Your assessment of Jonathan Rhys Meyers' performance as Elvis in the latter half doing "If I Can Dream" has seemingly confirmed my worst fears - he may have been able to embody certain traits of Elvis off-stage but it sounds like he could barely even adequately imitate (let alone embody) those essential on-stage traits. The still images that Cherokee posted of the segment in another thread were ones I took it upon myself to rip apart; sadly, it seems I was justified in doing so. Whoever suggested changing to the REAL Elvis at the close of the mini series for the "If I Can Dream" performance is a genius: it would really have been a nice way to wrap the entire thing up and would also have spotlighted that performance of Elvis' in a whole new way. Art within art. And from the sounds of it, it would also have spared us - and Rhys Meyers - from much squirming and embarrassment. Sadly, it's now nothing but a lost opportunity.

EDIT: It was Lonnie that made the suggestion. Bravo!

[nabelt24]

Well,......... I have to say that it's a 50/50 split with me as well. Johnathan Rhys Meyers did a great job of playing Elvis off-stage, but as far as lip-syncing and the moves.... it was absolutely HORRIBLE!!!! And THE HAIR!!! THE HAIR, THE HAIR, THE HAIR!!! Why can't they EVER get that right??????? Everytime they make a movie about Elvis, they always overlook the hair? I don't understand? That was one of his MAIN TRADEMARKS!!!

Another problem was the guy that played Joe Esposito. What was the deal with that? The actor that portrayed him was taller than Elvis. In real life he was much, much shorter than Elvis. Not only that, but Scotty and Bill where portrayed wrong as well. In real life, Bill was the big guy and Scotty was the skinny guy. This was backwards in the film!!!

I was satified with the other actors mostly and I was impressed that they got alot of the facts pretty straight. The first time that's ever happened.

All in all, I didn't mind it, but it could have been ALOT BETTER!!! The end of the film was the WORST PART!!!!!

[curtis simpkins]

To let you guys know i have allway's like ROSE McGOWEN , To let you also know
she did a great job on the tv series charmed, 2 years ago she sang Fever, and done a wonderfull job on it.

I taped the 2nd part of the mini series, and i am going to see it sometime tomorrow.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Mike, I agree with about all of your assessments and said very similar things elsewhere.

Cryo, I was too busy tooting my own horn in another thread to see that you had already done some tooting for me. It's too bad they didn't go that route; the show would have ended on such a positive note that a lot of the shortcomings may have quickly been forgotten, replaced by a sense of awe and respect and a questioning of self by non-fans: "Elvis...yeah, where have I been all these years? This guy is the $h!t!"

Also, on top of how amazing that performance inherently is, add to that the way you would respond to watching an Elvis impersonator as an opening act, him finally walking off and then EP himself coming out and giving one of his finest performances.

Oh well, it certainly isn't time well spent to try to convince anyone of this now...unless they'd like to put this show out on DVD with an alternate ending.