Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13366 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Elvis Presley's third and best film is this musical romp released in 1957, just as the Big "E" was reaching the peak of his hip-swivelling pre-army success. Filmed in ultra-cool black and white, the movie stars Elvis as a good ol' boy who saves a woman from an assault but kills her attacker, so he's convicted of manslaughter and sent to jail. While doing time he takes up the guitar and becomes a singing sensation, ready for the big time when he's finally released. He becomes a big star but his inflated ego gets him into trouble with his former cellmate and his new girlfriend. Short on plot but heavy on rock & roll, this EP classic features such hit songs as "Treat Me Nice", "Baby, I Don't Care", "Don't Leave Me Now" and, of course, the classic title song, performed in an elaborate jailhouse number that Elvis choreographed himself. This is Elvis in all his big-screen glory, and the movie's upbeat ending made it a huge success during its original release. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
After learning to play guitar and sing during a stint in jail, Elvis Presley's minor-league punk kid Vince Everett, becomes a rock star, with a little help from a beautiful agent. But the pressures of fame wear him down. Considered by many to be Presley's best film because of its eerie narrative prescience, noirish setting, and quality songs, especially the poolside performance of "You're So Square" and of course the title song.

Customer Reviews

One of The Better Elvis Films
I always believed that the early Elvis films were the best. He showed a raw edge and acting style which was similar to James Dean in those days. It is such a pity that his film career was ruined by making so many awful films in his later years, thanks to the idiotic manager of his Colonel Tom Parker who was more interested in his mega bucks than anything else.

Here, he plays a young singer Vince Edwards who is jailed for manslaughter after getting involved in a bar room brawl. During his months in prison, he learns a style of rock music from his mentor played by Mickey Shaughnessy. Upon his release, he meets by accident Peggy (Judy Tyler) who recognises his talent and sets him off onto the road to stardom. The rest, as they say, is history. Its a rather dated, but memorable look back at Elvis's early career. Includes some of his early hits such as 'Treat Me Nice'; I Wanna be Free' and of course the famous title song now recognised as one of the finest Rock and Roll songs of all time; 'Jailhouse Rock'.

Filmed in Widescreen, picture is clean and crisp with slight print damage in some scenes, although hardly noticeable. Sound is mono, but is good on a Home Cinema System which is switched to Stereo Only. Supplemented by a trailer and subtitles for the hard of hearing.

It should be added too that like James Dean who died shortly in a car crash after completing his scenes in Giant; Judy Tyler was unfortunately to suffer the same tragic fate as Dean, herself being killed in a car crash soon after she completed her scenes. So this is a tribute in her memory.

ELVIS IN HIS PRIME...
Yes, he did make 33 films and most of them are utterly forgettable.... But a few deserves better observation, like Love Me Tender 1956, King Creole 1958, Flaming Star 1960 og Stay Away Joe 1968... AND Jailhouse Rock....

In this film Elvis Presley displays a raw edge and playes the role of the antihero quite well. I much more prefer Elvis to James Dean in that respect...

This is an MGM production and Elvis made it quite clear he was not to make a musical in the mould of the standard MGM musical tradition. The choreography is pure rock`n roll(c how Fred Astaire embaressed the new thing in SILK STOCKINGS, made the same year at MGM)...

This is NOT a classic or a GREAT picture by any means, but it captures ELVIS PRESLEY at his prime and as a pretty good actor and THAT IS THE BEST U CAN GET:-)

An Elvis fan
As this film was one of his first it was enjoyable but not as good as his music and singing which is the best. He will always remain an excellent entertainer and loved by all.