Acclaimed filmmaker Baz Luhrmann didn’t forget about Elvis Presley after his 2022 biopic, “Elvis.” Since the film’s release, Luhrmann spent years working on a new project — one which would present fans with never-before-seen footage of the musician. Now, the result is the remarkable concert film, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.”
During the production of “Elvis,” Luhrmann discovered a gold mine of Presley footage in the Warner Bros. film vaults. Buried in salt mines in Kansas were 69 boxes of film negatives, amounting to nearly 60 hours of previously unseen footage. Much of the film was close to deteriorating and had no audio. Thanks to Luhrmann and his team, it was carefully restored and synced up with the corresponding audio tracks from RCA. “EPiC” was released exclusively in IMAX on Feb. 20 for one week. On Feb. 27, the concert film was released everywhere and is currently in theaters.
What is EPiC?
Describing exactly what genre Luhrmann’s “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” falls into has been quite tricky amongst viewers. It isn’t just another documentary, covering the highs and lows of Presley’s career. And if you’ve already seen it, then you know it goes way beyond the traditional concert-film format. Rather, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” takes you and the audience on a captivating and unforgettable musical journey with Elvis himself. To put it simply, the movie is a dazzling, cinematic experience.
“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” is led by audio recordings of Presley himself as he narrates “his side of the story,” taking viewers on a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. The film is primarily comprised of clips from restored lost footage of Presley’s concert documentaries, “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is” (1970) and “Elvis on Tour” (1972). However, glimpses into Presley’s early career and personal life are seen throughout as well.
An electrifying opening
“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” is an energetic, vibrant, and highly entertaining film from beginning to end. One blink and you’ll miss something truly spectacular. The moment it begins is one of the most powerful, no doubt. Presley’s voice opens the film as he says, “There’s been a lot written, a lot said, but never from my side of the story.”
A thrilling montage with glimpses of wild audience members and Presley walking onstage kicks off the film. And with the iconic “Also sprach Zarathustra” transitioning into Presley’s powerful “An American Trilogy,” you’re sure to get chills. In just a few minutes, the film presents viewers with snippets of beautifully restored footage. We finally see Presley in his gold lamé suit from his 1957 Hawaii show, as well as new shots of excited fans.
In his own words
As Luhrmann has stated before, Presley’s life story is always told by others, rather than by the man himself. In “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” we finally get the chance to hear Elvis talk about his life and career, and it’s absolutely stunning. This audio is from a 45-minute interview with Presley in 1972, one that was never publicly released.
From 1960 to 1969, Presley starred in 27 films, most of which were musical comedies like “Blue Hawaii” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!” Many were successful; however, Presley wasn’t entirely satisfied with his film career, desiring more dramatic roles. “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” gives viewers an insight into his honest feelings about his career. Presley discontentedly explains that the films were all the same, except for the different soundtracks and character names. During a 1972 press conference, we hear him say that he would like to continue making movies, as long as they’d be better than his past ones.
“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” also explores Presley’s desire to tour internationally. In the same press conference, we hear him say, “I’d like to go to Europe, I’d like to go to Japan … I’ve never been out of this country except in the service.” Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic dives deeper into this subject, with Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, being the one who prevents him from doing a world tour. With “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” Luhrmann excitedly states that Presley is finally getting the world tour he never got to do.
A breathtaking performance
After watching “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” you’ll feel like you were amongst the many ecstatic fans in the audience. Luhrmann’s new concert film glamorously jumps back and forth from performances and backstage rehearsals. Presley performs classics like “Suspicious Minds” and “That’s All Right,” as well as lesser-known gems like “Walk A Mile In My Shoes.”
Presley and his band rehearse their versions of Beatles songs “Something” and “Yesterday,” as well as the ballad “Always on My Mind,” during which home videos of his daughter, Lisa Marie, are shown. You’ll even see quick shots of Presley rehearsing the songs “(Now and Then There’s) a Fool Such as I” and “Stranger in the Crowd,” two of my personal favorites that I definitely believe deserved more screen time.
Presley literally glows on stage during every performance, whether it’s during the energetic hit “Burning Love” or his powerful rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” During “Polk Salad Annie,” you’ll find that it’s impossible not to tap your fingers or feet. The spirit and enthusiasm shared by everyone on stage is amazing to watch. And the screaming and crying fans in the crowd make it all feel even more real. Watching Presley put so much emotion and effort into “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” is also absolutely fascinating and will always be a favorite of mine.
Final thoughts
As a huge Presley fan, I was super excited when I first heard the rumors about the supposed “lost footage” that Luhrmann had discovered while making “Elvis.” Luckily, the rumors were true, and I was completely mind-blown. Knowing that unreleased footage from “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is,” my favorite of his concert films, existed seemed like a dream.
Watching “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” in theaters was absolutely amazing. I honestly left feeling as though I had just seen Presley in concert. The sound was crisp and perfect, as was the image, which looked incredible on a huge screen. After seeing the movie, I love listening to the soundtrack, as I feel the experience of “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” all over again.
Everything was perfect, from Presley’s narration to the shots of the audience. I truly wish the film had been longer, especially since the wait to see the footage took a few years. But overall, an amazing watch. So go check out “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” which is now playing in theaters.
Francine
March 2, 2026 at 10:10 pm
It was awesome! I also wish the film would have been longer! Hopefully we get to see more footage in the future!