★★★★☆
Over the past few years, the life of Elvis Presley has hit the big screens multiple times. From the Academy Award nominee Elvis (2022) to Priscila (2023), the Sofia Coppola picture focused on Presley’s wife, the singer’s life seems to continue to be an area of interest to filmmakers and the public.
In an attempt to portray the artist’s life through a realistic approach, Netflix released Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley, released on Nov. 13. The documentary mainly sheds light not on the highs of the singer’s career, but rather on the sudden fall Presley experienced, and his subsequent endeavors to remain relevant in the entertainment industry.
“When Elvis first came on the scene, it was a revelation,” said American singer-songwriter Robert Robinson in the documentary. “The way he looked in the early days, it was as cool as it possibly gets. But it evolved to a thing in the ’60s. He was doing music that wasn’t as great as the music he did in the very beginning. He was doing movies that nobody believed in. He was walking a fine line between, ‘I’m the real thing,’ or ‘I’ve lost it’.”
Director Jason Hehir delves into the narrative behind Elvis’s downfall and eventual second rise to fame, ending the documentary with a deep-dive into Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special, his return to live performance after a seven-year period.
In its exploration of Presley’s character, Return of the King features interviews with prominent figures such as Priscilla Presley and Bruce Springsteen.
One of the documentary’s highlights is the first roadblock in the singer’s career, presented in the film as Presley’s trip to Germany. From a rapidly-growing star in the musical scene to a soldier in the United States., Presley saw his life change in the blink of an eye. When asked to say a word to his fans, the singer shared a short yet vulnerable message.
“In spite of the fact that I’ll be out of their eyes for some time, I hope I’m not out of their minds,” Presley said. “And I’ll be looking forward to the time when I can come back and entertain again like I did.”
Not all was lost, however—it was while serving his time abroad that he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who would become his wife. While discussing the couple’s life together, Beaulieu herself revealed how a deep connection was established from the start.
“He poured his heart out to [her],” Beaulieu said regarding Presley’s mother’s death—followed by a segue to the section of the documentary dedicated to exploring Presley’s relationship with his late mother.
Driven by his love for his audience, Presley transitioned to acting after returning home from the Army, taking on roles in films like the 1960s western Flaming Star. The movie arguably hindered his career—Presley’s iconic musical talent was sidelined, as he focused entirely on acting and did not perform any songs in this role.
“It was a good film,” said Presley’s co-star Barbara Eden. “A very good film, but he didn’t sing. He didn’t get the girl. And he died, so you can imagine how that went over with his fans. They hated it.”
Still fixed on the idea of acting, the musician’s manager thought it would be best to place Presley in movies with a “light and fluffy” plot, where he would be surrounded by a lot of girls—as revealed by Elvis director Baz Luhrmann. The manager promised a river of money, and such a promise was fulfilled.
“I think that is the beginning of his corruption,” Luhrmann said in the documentary about Presley’s success as an actor.
Blue Hawaii (1961) popularized his love anthem “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,” and prompted a five-year contract that focused heavily on musicals. Despite their high hopes, the singer’s career went downhill from there and remained that way for nearly a decade.
Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special featured the musician performing songs like those of his earlier days, including rock and gospel hits.
The taped concert also included skits, and a plethora of vibrant backgrounds and bold clothing. The special brought back the star-quality in the singer, but also highlighted a side of Elvis the public had not yet seen: vulnerable, funny, and incredibly human.
The documentary’s deep-dive into the special is what Hehir settles as the end point for the documentary, as it captures the true Elvis and pinpoints his success in re-establishing himself as the “King of Rock & Roll.”
Return of the King offers a nuanced look at the singer’s career, highlighting both his struggles and his resilience. By focusing on factual data and accounts from those who were around him at the time, the documentary showcased Presley’s humanity and reaffirms his role as a timeless musical icon.
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