Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' Brings the King's Legacy to Life

The visionary director blends lost footage and audio to create a dreamlike concert experience unlike any other.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Baz Luhrmann's latest project, 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,' is a mind-blowing cinematic experience that serves as a companion piece to his acclaimed 2022 Elvis biopic. The film combines never-before-seen footage from MGM's 'Elvis: That's the Way' and 'Elvis on Tour' concert films, along with rare audio recordings, to craft a one-of-a-kind 'dreamscape' that allows audiences to experience the King of Rock and Roll like never before.

Why it matters

As a lifelong Elvis fan, the author was blown away by the stunning visuals, immersive sound, and dreamlike quality of Luhrmann's 'EPiC' concert film. The director's innovative approach to blending various performance footage and audio sources to create a truly unique cinematic experience has set a new standard for concert films and documentaries.

The details

Luhrmann and his team discovered 59 hours of pristine, never-before-seen footage from the MGM Productions of 'Elvis: That's the Way' and 'Elvis on Tour' in a Kansas City salt mine. They then painstakingly restored the footage and filled in audio gaps by tracking down rare bootleg recordings, some of which were obtained through shady dealings in parking lots. The director's goal was to create an 'imagined concert' that transports viewers into Elvis' world, rather than a traditional fly-on-the-wall documentary.

  • Luhrmann was finishing post-production on his 2022 Elvis biopic when he received a call about the lost concert footage.
  • The director and his team spent months restoring the 59 hours of footage and acquiring the necessary audio to bring 'EPiC' to life.
  • 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' is now showing in theaters nationwide.

The players

Baz Luhrmann

The acclaimed director of films like 'Moulin Rouge!' and the 2022 Elvis biopic, who spearheaded the creation of 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert'.

Jonathan Redmond

Luhrmann's longtime collaborator who discovered the trove of lost Elvis concert footage in a Kansas City salt mine.

Elvis Presley

The legendary 'King of Rock and Roll' whose performances and personal reflections are the focus of 'EPiC'.

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What they’re saying

“We wired together some audio that's out there, that's bootlegged. We had to meet people in car parks and buy it, bless their socks. The trading of illegal Elvis stuff — there's Colombian drug lords, and then there's the guys that trade bootlegs, and dude, I think I'd rather work with the Colombian drug lords.”

— Baz Luhrmann, Director (Variety)

“Having read all the books and done so much research on Elvis, we knew his story, so he wasn't necessarily telling us something we didn't already know, but hearing him tell it in his own voice was so much more powerful, in a way. And that really kind of unlocked the key to the project.”

— Baz Luhrmann, Director (The New York Times)

What’s next

Audiences can now experience 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' in theaters nationwide, with the IMAX presentation offering a particularly immersive and awe-inspiring viewing experience.

The takeaway

Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' is a groundbreaking cinematic achievement that transports viewers into the world of the King of Rock and Roll like never before, blending lost footage and rare audio to create a dreamlike concert experience that celebrates Elvis' enduring legacy.