For Elvis Presley fans, a new Netflix documentary is a goldmine of untold stories.
In the singer’s epic comeback special, we get a sneak peek behind the scenes, where he opens up about being fed up with Hollywood’s cash-grab musicals and how badly he wanted to get back on top.
Discover how Presley, deeply dissatisfied and terrified of performing, turned to a legendary actor for help in reinventing himself.
Elvis Presley’s life continues to captivate us, even 47 years after his passing.
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.
For fans, the documentary offers a rare behind-the-scenes look, featuring never-before-seen clips and new interviews with Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, and his close confidante/business partner, Jerry Schilling.
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.
“It is a crime. To put him in that situation and sing that song. It made him a laughingstock. And he knew it.”
Truth behind iconic outfit
Once he did step onto that stage, he wasn’t just any performer — he was a man reinventing himself. There’s an iconic photo of Elvis performing that night, where he famously channeled one of his acting idols, Marlon Brando, by wearing a black leather suit. But why?
It all started when show producer Steve Binder discovered a photo of Elvis sitting on a Harley Davidson, rocking a leather outfit that screamed Marlon Brando in The Wild One. Inspired by the image, he showed it to costume designer Bill Belew, asking if he could create something similar for Elvis to wear during the show.