Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9623 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

Elvis at his best
Too often Elvis' film career is dismissed out of hand, the profusion of banal Hollywood pictures that he made taken as the sum total of his acting ability. But look back to the early days and specifically this, Elvis' third film (made in 1957 before his army induction) and you'll find something very special indeed. Given the rarity of a decent script and credible characterisation Elvis was actually quite a gifted actor as this trailblazing film amply demonstrates.

Vince Everett is a young man full of misdirected passion. A spell of trouble lands him in jail -cue terrific title sequence-and after a few stumbles in the dark, certainly ' All Shook Up' Everett finally finds his true niche as a singer.

With a strong supporting cast -including Judy Tyler who was tragically killed shortly after the film's release- Jailhouse Rock has a lot to recommend it, not least Elvis' sensational performance, often acclaimed as a career best. This is a moot point as he made at least a handful of other first-rate films, but what's not in dispute is how enormously enjoyable this vintage slice of rock 'n' roll is in every respect: it positively oozes pizazz!

Forget anything detrimental that you've heard about Elvis' films and simply wallow in the musical glory of Elvis Presley in his heyday.

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.

Who said that Elvis couldn't act?
This is the rebel Elvis, the type of role he should have been given more of. To those who say that Elvis couldn't act, I say quit listening to those who group all Elvis films into one category, sit down and watch the man act! Elvis shows flashes of Dean, Brando and Newman as he delivers such lines as: 'That's the way the mop flops, kid'; 'Lady, I don't know what the hell you're talking about'; 'That ain't tactics honey, that's the beast in me' and 'I'm starting a new custom: no tip'. Guaranteed to make you see Elvis in a new light as a great actor. Beautiful!