Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert review by Drusilla Blakey
Director Baz Luhrmann has had some unique visions of classics including Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatzby. In 2022 he took on the task of telling the story of arguably the biggest entertainer of all time Elvis starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks to critical success. While that was a big swing into a home run, Luhrmann wasn’t done with the king just yet. During his time making the Elvis film sixty-eight boxes of 35mm and 8mm footage was discovered that was carefully restored and took on a life of its own in the documentary EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.
Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC Elvis Presley in Concert is one of those rare documentaries that feel both fresh and familiar at the same time. As an Elvis fan since childhood, I was immediately struck by how much new interview footage and behind‑the‑scenes material was woven into the story. Hearing voices and perspectives we haven’t heard before added a richness that made the entire experience feel more complete.
I grew up listening to Aloha From Hawaii with my dad, and we’d watch any Elvis movie that happened to be on TV. Because of that, Elvis has always been more than a celebrity to me; he's truly tied to my early childhood memories and to memories of family. This documentary tapped straight into that nostalgia, but it also surprised me with how emotionally heavy it was.
One of the things that stayed with me most was watching Elvis talk about his dreams. There’s something deeply sad about hearing him speak with such hope and ambition, knowing now that so many of those dreams never came true. The biggest dream being his desire to play concerts internationally and then realize - that never happened for him. The film also doesn’t shy away from showing how relentlessly he
worked, how much of his life was consumed by rehearsals and performance. It becomes painfully clear that the world got so much of Elvis, but Elvis rarely got the chance to live a normal life.
Luhrmann’s storytelling style elevates all of this. The way he threads the new footage into the familiar narrative feels seamless, almost like the missing pieces finally being put back where they belong. It’s visually stunning (especially the clothes and the costumes), emotionally resonant (did I mention I thought it was so sad), and respectful of Elvis’s legacy without glossing over the cost of that legacy.
For lifelong fans, this documentary feels like a chance to see Elvis with new eyes. For newcomers, it’s a powerful introduction to the man behind the myth. Either way, it’s a moving, beautifully assembled tribute that lingers long after the credits roll.
Step onto and behind the stage with EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert available now on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from NEON.