Elvis (1979)

Synopsis: John Carpenter's made-for-TV version of the Elvis Presley saga, which was sadly truncated on its cinema release in the UK, is a detailed and truthful account of one of the most potent myths of modern popular culture. Kurt Russell, though no lookalike, makes a fine job of playing Presley; incidentally, as a child actor, he played alongside the King in a scene in It Happened at the World's Fair.

Shelley Winters is particularly moving as Elvis's tragic mother, Gladys, while Ronnie McDowell, as Russell's singing voice, performs Presley's songs adequately. For those who don't know the story, or who were too young at the time, this is a worthwhile introduction, a biopic made with respect and affection that doesn't resort to hagiography.

Cast: Kurt Russell, Shelley Winters.
Runtime: 150 min