A trailer for the new Elvis documentary has sparked huge fan excitement as it’s finally released.
The three-hour movie, entitled Elvis Presley: The Searcher, is set to be released on HBO on April 14, and will take watchers on a comprehensive creative journey from Presley’s childhood through to his final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions.
Unveiled by his loving wife Priscilla on Thursday, the film uses television interviews, exclusive home movie footage and performance clips to paint a picture of the man behind some of the greatest hits ever played on radio. The film also features more than 20 new primary source interviews with session players, producers, engineers, directors and other artists who knew him or were influenced by him.
Some of the most prominent names featured in the HBO Documentary include Priscilla – who showed off her youthful complexion at the unveiling – Bruce Springsteen, rocker Tom Petty, country singer Emmylou Harris and soul legend David Porter. The film was made with the cooperation of the Presley estate and was allowed complete access to the Graceland archives.
The trailer gives fans a taste of what’s to come with an opening anecdote from the lips of Elvis himself.
“My type of music is a combination of country music and gospel and rhythm and blues all combined. As a child, I was influenced by all of that,” the legend says.
It then features rocker Tom Petty, who says of Elvis’ music: “The American teen just knew [his music] rocked, no white music had ever done that.”
From the trailer, viewers can be expected to get a complete walkthrough of Presley’s childhood and formative years.
“He was snatched from the ordinary life of a young man into a place that no one else had ever been in our culture.” says award-winning country singer Emmylou Harris.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen has often mentioned Presley as a big influence on his music. As an old performance clip flashes across the screen, Springsteen is heard saying: “An artist like Elvis, he’s actually pretending when he’s home to be normal and when he goes out on stage at night it’s who he actually is.”
Tying into the title, the trailer ends with a quote from Elvis’ first wife Pricilla: “Elvis was a searcher. He said to me, I want to be able to reach and feel what we all go through as human beings.”
Fans of the rock legend are already super keen to see the flick, with some commenting that they think it will be the best one yet.
“This could possibly be the best-produced documentary on Elvis Presley. Fingers crossed. It looks great!” one user wrote under the trailer on Youtube.
“Can’t wait for this. I just hope it’s done with respect for the man described as the ‘King’ a ‘living legend’ and ‘Entertainer of the 20th Century’. Elvis, in my opinion, IS the greatest ever and deserving of the titles.” another said.