Baz Luhrmann's Cinematic Mission to Revive the King of Rock and Roll
Imagine a scene straight from a Hollywood thriller: a clandestine meeting in an unremarkable carpark, where a shadowy figure hands over a package in exchange for cash. This wasn't a drug deal or espionage, but rather the acquisition of a rare bootleg recording of a 1970 Elvis Presley concert in Las Vegas. This dramatic episode illustrates the incredible lengths to which acclaimed Australian director Baz Luhrmann went to bring the legendary performer back to life in his latest cinematic venture, EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert.
The Hunt for Lost Footage
During the production of his 2022 Oscar-nominated biopic Elvis, starring Austin Butler, Luhrmann first caught wind of rumours surrounding lost footage from Presley's iconic Las Vegas residency. Two concert films, Elvis: That's The Way It Is and Elvis On Tour, were reportedly shot in 35mm anamorphic format using large MGM cameras across multiple nights, but the material had vanished since 1970.
"We found this mythical footage, literally in salt mines in Kansas City. We didn't think it would exist. It was a bit Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and there it was, 64 boxes of film negatives," Luhrmann disclosed. What began as a search for supplementary material for his previous film rapidly transformed into a far more ambitious undertaking.
A Monumental Restoration Challenge
Luhrmann and his team were confronted with a colossal restoration project. They had 59 hours of film negatives, nearly six decades old, accompanied by audio tracks that were out of sync with the visuals. These audio sources were unconventional, including the aforementioned bootleg acquired through underworld channels. Additionally, Super8 footage discovered in the Graceland archives offered never-before-seen candid moments of Presley on tour and discussing his life.
To prepare the footage for modern cinema screens, the negatives were first scanned in 4K resolution. The project was then entrusted to industry heavyweight Peter Jackson and his Park Road Post production company in New Zealand, renowned for their archival restoration work on projects like The Beatles: Get Back.
The Intricate Process of Synchronisation
Sound presented a significant hurdle for a concert film. With an extra 2300 rolls of archival material supplied by Warner Bros, Luhrmann assembled a team of expert lip-readers. They meticulously matched audio tracks to Elvis's lip movements in the restored footage, a painstaking process that required 18 months of work from an office at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Revealing Elvis's Vulnerable Humanity
All the exhaustive effort culminates in one of the film's final, powerful shots: an exhausted Elvis walking offstage alone, his stretch gabardine jumpsuit soaked with sweat. This intimate, vulnerable moment provides a stark contrast to the preceding 90 minutes of the iconic performer commanding the audience with absolute control.
"I think that this is a singular moment when you realise the essence of Elvis that even fans don't know, which is inside that incredible looking man, with that extraordinary gift with music, is the most vulnerable, insecure human being," Luhrmann explained. "Inside there's a man who just sort of goes, 'I'm still that guy from East Tupelo, but I'm beloved like a god', so, off stage, he was never comfortable."
A Unique Cinematic Experience
Luhrmann is keen to clarify that EPiC is neither a traditional documentary nor a standard concert film. He describes it more as a hallucination or a waking dream, transporting viewers to the front row of the International Hotel in Vegas. While it touches briefly on Presley's life history, it deliberately leaves much of his off-stage turmoil and his complex relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker to the viewer's imagination, potentially serving as a perfect companion piece to Luhrmann's 2022 Elvis biopic.
The film features over 70 musical performances by Elvis from Vegas, tours, and rehearsals. These rehearsal segments offer a fascinating glimpse into Presley the artist, showcasing his interactions with musicians and his intense focus on perfecting each song. Classics like Can't Help Falling In Love and a stunning rendition of Suspicious Minds are included, with Luhrmann personally highlighting the unique inclusion of Polk Salad Annie.
Looking to the Future
The success of this restoration project naturally leads to speculation about other iconic artists Luhrmann might resurrect. While he acknowledges receiving many suggestions, his next project is a highly anticipated biopic on the 15th-century French heroine Joan of Arc (Jehanne d'Arc), starring UK actress Isla Johnston, which will film on the Gold Coast later this year.
For now, Luhrmann's focus is on sharing EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert with audiences. In the spirit of the King himself, he delivers a simple, emphatic message: "Play the hell out of it." The film arrives in cinemas on February 19, offering both devoted fans and newcomers a profound new connection to a music legend.
