When producing his feature film Elvis (2022), Luhrmann discovered that there was undiscovered Elvis footage…. in fact there were reels and reels of footage from Elvis Presley’s concert performances in Las Vegas during the 1970s. With the assistance of Warner Brothers, his team was able to locate the lost footage as well as many 16-track audio recordings.

How the undiscovered Elvis in concert footage was going to be used…

‘My initial thought was that, if we could find it, we may be able to restore the unused footage and use it in our Elvis feature, starring Austin Butler. I had researchers go into the Warners Bros. film vaults buried in underground salt mines in Kansas and, to the astonishment of all, we uncovered 69 boxes (59 hours) of film negative that hadn’t been seen.’

Luhrmann first met Jonathan Redmond when editing Moulin Rouge! and they have since formed a longtime creative partnership through various projects, including Australia, The Great Gatsby and Elvis. Jonathan, whom Luhrmann refers to as “Jono,” is both an editor and executive producer for EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert. As Luhrmann likes to credit, Jono is the driving creative force on the project.

How long it took to bring the the undiscovered Elvis footage up to scratch….

It took two years to locate the negatives which Luhrmann’s team then worked with Warner Brothers to scan in 4K. They also found Super8 footage that has never been seen before. Enter Peter Jackson and his team at Park Road Post Production, who worked to restore not just the 8mm but the 16mm and 35mm anamorphic, as well. Ultimately, Luhrmann worked with over 59 hours of rare footage, including anamorphic 35mm, as well as 8mm from the 1950s.

Throughout this incredibly detailed process, one of the great finds has been unheard recordings of Elvis talking about his life and his music: from the 1970 Vegas show, on tour in 1972 and even precious moments of the 1957 “gold jacket” performance in Hawaii. I knew that we could not pass up this opportunity. It was these discoveries that gave the inspiration for the new film

The audio issue…..

Many of the audio tracks did not sync to the footage, so the team utilized lip reading to match the tracks to specific footage. Warner Brothers provided over 2,300 rolls of Elvis archive material to assist in the process.

While Luhrmann’s hands-on work in music is well known (he is credited as executive music producer) he’s identified Jamieson Shaw, a longtime collaborator of Luhrmann’s, as overall music producer, bringing together new material that was recorded for the project with the classic audio. In addition, Luhrmann’s previous collaborators, such as Elliott Wheeler (composer on Elvis) contributed to the score. Bryan Patrick & Kim Green (music supervisors) have also returned in new roles.

Omer Fedi has leant his hand in producing a remix of ‘Always On My Mind. ’Fedi’s impressive writing and producing credits can be found on hits for artists like Rosé (Blackpink) & Bruno Mars, Lil Nas X, Royel Otis and Sam Smith.

There are over 70 pieces of music in the film performed by Elvis, either in Vegas or on tour as well as in rehearsals and some classic recordings from his life long catalog. The film captures iconic covers from notable artists such as The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, Bob Dylan, Three Dog Night, Brenda Lee, Edwin Hawkins and The Righteous Brothers.

Gracious to Gracelands….

During the making of Elvis, Luhrmann had an office at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee for 18 months. While living in Memphis, Luhrmann was introduced to Angie Marchese, VP of Archives and Exhibits and curator at Graceland, who provided the production with newly discovered 8mm footage of Elvis performing in Hawaii. Luhrmann’s time at Graceland and the people he met there informed both the production of Elvis and EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.

related feature : ‘EPiC’ reviewed

related feature : Baz Luhrmann introduces Tom Hanks & Austin Butler at the UK special screening of, ‘Elvis’