Why Elvis channeled Marlon Brando in iconic leather look
It’s almost unimaginable that he was only 42 when he left us, especially considering the legacy he left behind. But now, a new Netflix documentary, Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presley, takes us deeper into the King’s personal struggles and his iconic 1968 comeback.
Elvis’ heartbreaking confession
The film also dives into the raw moments leading up to Elvis’ ’68 Comeback Special — a turning point in his life and career. Aired on NBC on December 3, 1968, it marked Presley’s return to live performance after a seven-year hiatus, a period in which he focused mainly on film roles.
Directed by Jason Hehir, the film sheds light on Presley’s frustrations with Hollywood and his quest to redefine his career.
“I was interested in exploring his decision to play in front of a live audience for the first time in seven years,” says Hehir. “1968 was the biggest crossroads of Elvis’s life. It made sense to take a deep dive.”
In the documentary, we hear Elvis’s candid frustration with the image Hollywood had created for him. “Hollywood’s image of me was wrong, and I knew it, and I couldn’t do anything about it,” Presley confesses. “I didn’t know what to do. I just felt I was obligated to things I didn’t fully believe in.”
“That to me is a crime”
Perhaps one of the most emotional moments of the documentary is when Priscilla Presley watches a clip of Elvis performing the children’s song ”Old MacDonald Had a Farm” in the 1967 film Double Trouble.
“That to me is a crime,” Priscilla says, her voice tinged with sadness.Continue reading…
