"Allows us to once again celebrate Elvis at his peak" - Bill Brioux

Starring: (as interviewed) Steve Binder, Billy Corgan, Bob Dylan, D.J. Fontana, Darlene Love, Ernst Jørgensen, Scotty Moore, Conan O'Brien, Priscilla Presley, Jerry Shilling, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Robertson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"He was the original rebel, and now he's relegated to really being a family entertainer. That really hurt him." – Steve Binder

Why watch this? It's nice to get the full story about this landmark musical performance.

Plot Summary: This documentary chronicles Elvis Presley's meteoric rise to fame, his subsequent stagnation during a long detour into formulaic Hollywood movies, and his eventual creative decline. It highlights the immense pressure placed upon him to reclaim his status as the King of Rock 'n' Roll amidst a changing musical landscape. The film focuses on the high-stakes journey to his 1968 NBC television special, which saw him overcome nerves to deliver a career-defining performance..

Dad's Preview: I had loved the TV event Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special for years. Elvis' black-leather, return-to-his-roots TV special was an electric, confident performance. The King was Back. This film explores exactly what Elvis had to come back from. It chronicles his rapid ascent and the often oppressive rule of his agent, Colonel Parker. When Elvis found himself forced to do several films, it eventually stifled his career, as did a stint in the army after he was drafted. That night in 1968, we finally saw the real Elvis, maybe for the first time, happy to be doing what he was meant to do... and that was to play his music up close and personal to adoring fans. At this task, not many would ever be better.

Little Room Films, Words + Pictures; Netflix