A new Elvis Presley documentary, The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presleyis currently streaming on Netflix, but there are several things the film leaves out about the King of Rock and Roll. Return of the King is focused on Presley's 1968 Comeback Special, a live concert that Presley performed on a TV show just over a decade after he had a hit. Although Presley became an international sensation within a few years of beginning his singing career in 1954, Presley's time in the army diminished his popularity somewhat.
Presley's many film performances didn't help matters, as the films not only took Presley away from his music for five years, but also proved to be quite unpopular, particularly as the years went by. The songs on the 1968 Comeback Special were intended to remind audiences of Presley's greatest hits, thus drawing audiences back to him and increasing his popularity once again. Why Return of the King was so focused on this show, however, these 10 aspects of Presley's real life didn't make it into the documentary.
The death of Elvis' twin brother and its impact on him are not addressed
Elvis Presley Never Forgot His Stillborn Twin Brother, Jessie Garon Presley
Although Elvis Presley grew up as an only child, in fact, he was the twin of his brother, Jessie Garon Presley, who was stillborn just 35 minutes before Presley was born.. Presley remained deeply impacted by the loss of his brother, and many accounts suggest that he viewed his brother as a spiritual guide. This makes sense given Presley's religious upbringing and his devotion to Christianity throughout his life.
Jessie remained so important to Presley, in fact, that Graceland website names Jessie on Presley's biography page. Despite this importance, Jessie's story is not the focus Return of the King. This is an interesting choice, especially since there are a number of other biographical details provided in the documentary, even with the focus on Presley's Comeback Special. Despite this absence Return of the KingIt is undeniable that Jessie remained important to Presley, who never forgot her twin brother.
The Return of the King avoids Big Mama Thornton controversy
It has long been debated whether Presley's songs were taken from black artists
Return of the King takes a clear stance on Elvis Presley, drawing inspiration from black artists of his time, but the documentary avoids directly acknowledging accusations that Presley stole his music from black musicians—an accusation that has been brought against Presley countless times over the years. Interviews with several friends, acquaintances and family in Return of the King covers Presley's adoration of black music, especially gospel music, but that's as far as the film goes in exploring this long-running controversy.
Other films about Presley's life, including the 2022 film Elvis starring Austin Butler, also depicts Presley being inspired by black artists, but few delve into the allegations that Presley took the work of black singers and marketed it as his own. In reality, this continues to be a heated debate, with many specifically arguing that Presley stole “Hound Dog” from Big Mama Thornton, an American singer-songwriter who began her career several years before Presley. The song's co-writer Mike Stoller has stated that Presley did not steal it, but it remains a controversial topic.
The age difference between Elvis and Priscilla was swept under the rug
Priscilla was just 14 when she met Elvis Presley
Priscilla Presley appears in Return of the King often sharing her perspective on her ex-husband's life and career, but the age difference between Priscilla and Elvis Presley is not mentioned in the documentary. However, films like Priscilla They made it very clear that the age difference between the two was significant and that the circumstances of their relationship started out questionably. Priscilla was just 14 when she met Elvis Presley, then 24, and Priscilla suggests that the two quickly developed a romantic relationship.
Just like the controversy surrounding Presley's music, Return of the King chooses not to delve into the thornier aspects of Presley's relationship with Priscilla. This may be in part due to Priscilla's involvement in the documentary. Although Priscilla wrote a memoir (along with contributions from Sandra Harmon), Elvis and medetailing some of the darker aspects of her history with Presley, it's clear that she still feels a lot of affection for her ex-husband.
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The issues between Elvis and his manager are only briefly referenced
Colonel Tom Parker became famous in the story of Elvis Presley
Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager, also plays a surprisingly limited role in the Return of the Kingdespite the continued interest that exists in Parker and his role in Presley's life. While it is generally accepted that Parker was a genius when it came to marketing Presley and making a profit, many also consider that Parker had a negative effect on Presley's physical and mental health. This is a big focus of Elvis (2022).
Several of the people interviewed in Return of the King they make mention of Parker - some of them not so fondly - but the more negative perceptions of Parker are not stated directly in the documentary. In real life, Parker managed Presley's career from 1955 until Presley's death in 1977, so there's no doubt that he helped Presley achieve more fame, including planning the Comeback Special. Yet many still consider Parker a controlling manager who took advantage of Presley and his talents.
Many still consider Parker a controlling manager who took advantage of Presley and his talents.
The Return of the King doesn't delve into Elvis' many subjects
Elvis and Priscilla had affairs during their relationship
It is known that Presley had several affairs throughout his relationship with Priscillaeven after the two got married and had a daughter. These matters are documented in both Elvis and Priscillaand the case of Priscilla itself (which Priscilla suggests it only came after years of Presley's infidelity) is also briefly and subtly portrayed in the latter film. Return of the King The decision to exclude these subjects from the narrative is consistent with choices made throughout the documentary not to explore controversies in Presley's life.
In real life, rumors constantly circulated about Presley having affairs with women who co-starred alongside him in his various films, some of which were later revealed to be true. Priscilla spoke at length about Presley's affairs over the years, highlighting that things were difficult because Presley was so loved that women constantly tried to be with him. Ultimately, Priscilla and Presley divorced, at which point Presley became engaged to Ginger Alden, with whom he was with until his death.
Elvis' daughter Lisa is practically absent from the king's return
Elvis and Priscilla only had one child, but she doesn't appear much in The Return of the King
As mentioned, Priscilla and Presley only had one child together, their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa Marie is only briefly mentioned in Return of the Kingwhich is probably due to the sensitive nature of his story. Sadly, Lisa Marie Presley died unexpectedly in 2023, aged just 54, and is survived by her mother and many other members of the Presley family.
This absence in Return of the King does not suggest that Lisa Marie was not important to her father - quite the opposite. Lisa Marie continued to divide her time between her mother and father after the two divorced in 1973 until Presley's death, and Presley cared deeply for her daughter. Currently, Lisa Marie Presley's own daughter, Riley Keough, owns Graceland, which reflects how connected the Presley family remains even after these tragic deaths.
Elvis' history with drugs does not appear in Return Of The King
Elvis Presley's substance use is prominently shown in many films and documentaries
Presley's history with substances is well documented and well known, and both Priscilla and Elvis portray the impact that drugs have had on your life. However, Return of the King only briefly addresses Presley's drug use. Once again, the documentary seems to want the focus to be primarily on Presley's singing career and his 1968 Comeback Special, not on the more personal details of his life.which have been frequently represented in other films and documentaries.
There has also been a lot of talk about the impact Presley's substance use may have had on his life and death. The common perception appears to be that drugs directly caused Presley's death, although the impact of substances on Presley's early death remains widely debated. Notably, coroner Dr. Jerry Francisco has long argued that Presley did not die from drug use.
Return of the King Intentionally Ends on a “Happy” Note Before Elvis’ Death
Return Of The King references Elvis Presley's death, but doesn't end with it
Maybe because Return of the King focuses on the 1968 Comeback Special rather than Presley's entire life and career, Presley's death is not portrayed in the documentary. Certain interviews make reference to Presley's death, but Return of the King decides to end on a happier note, highlighting the great benefit this show was to Presley's career. For the same reasons, Return of the King does not explore the trajectory of Presley's career as he begins performing in Las Vegas, which becomes a complex situation.
Ultimately, absences and exclusions in Return of the King appear to have much more to do with the documentary prioritizing the story of the 1968 Comeback Special than with inaccuracies or, presumably, intentional omissions. Even so, the documentary avoids a series of controversies in Presley's personal and professional life. There are many facts about Elvis Presley's life missing The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presleyalthough there are countless films and documentaries that capture many of these biographical details.