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New Film: Tears Of A King

November 16, 2006 | Other
A new Elvis themed film is due for release early in 2007.. Here is the pressrelease:

A dramatic theatrical motion picture is in production about Elvis Presley's final hours - his struggles against his personal weaknesses and his spiritual quest, especially his studies with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the marginal notes he wrote in his own copy of the Book of Mormon.

Elvis was definitely "in the building" as shooting began September 1 on an Orem soundstage for an independent motion picture about the King of Rock and Roll and his spiritual journey of discovery, including his little-known serious study of the Book of Mormon and his contacts with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

History was made in Utah recently as the state was visited by both a sitting U.S. President and a King. In addition to the visit by President George Bush to speak to the national American Legion convention, the "King" was sighted less than fifty miles away.

Elvis was definitely "in the building" as shooting began September 1 on an Orem soundstage for an independent motion picture about the King of Rock and Roll and his spiritual journey of discovery, including his little-known serious study of the Book of Mormon and his contacts with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The last hours of Elvis Presley's life at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee are portrayed in dramatic and authentic detail in "Tears of a King", as he struggled to overcome his addictions to prescription drugs and sought for religious truths. Much of his life and career are retold in flashback sequences.

Elvis is played by actor Matt Lewis, who bears a strong physical resemblance to The King, and with the help of foam prosthetics and the skills of makeup artist Tara Starling, his on-screen appearance at different stages of Elvis's life will enthrall even the most devoted of Presley's fans. He sings several songs in the movie, and visitors to the movie set found it hard to distinguish Lewis's singing voice from actual Elvis recordings.

The first few days of shooting were completed in an exact replica of Presley's bedroom that was created from floor plans and photos of the original at Graceland which as been sealed since Elvis's death in 1977. The entire film has been meticulously researched and is authentic down to minute details such as items found on tabletops and shelves in the room.

It is well known that Elvis Presley was a devout Christian who had deep religious convictions despite his personal weaknesses and struggles with a Hollywood lifestyle that was thrust upon him at an early age. What is lesser known is that he reportedly met on several occasions with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that he studied carefully the Book of Mormon. His copy of the book was donated by his estate to the Osmond family and later to the LDS Church historical archives after his death.

Rob Diamond spent several hours in the LDS Church library copying down the many marginal notes made by Presley in the book, and has included some of them in the dialog of the film. Through special arrangements with the Church, the book is being used in filming some of the scenes of the movie, which is planned for a release in 2007 timed to the 30th anniversary of Elvis's death.

At the same time, a separate documentary will also be released. It will feature interviews with Alan Osmond and other friends, fans and missionaries sharing their experiences with the King of Rock and Roll.

The film is being directed by Rob Diamond from his own screenplay, and is produced by Joshua Pearson and Kels Goodman. Executive producer is Matthew Reese. Co-producers are Rhet Marsing and Bob Conder, and Robert Starling is Associate Producer. The movie is a co-production of 7Films7 and Matthew Reese Films.
Source:Elvis Information Network
elvisfreak wrote on November 16, 2006
your kidding me! EPE needs to get all over this crap. Elvis Presley may have read about the Book of Mormon but he in no way, shape or form, considered it! We all know he was a Baptist by upbringing and invesitgated the spirtual side of religion! This kind of stuff is pointless and just a tool for the Church of Latter-Day Saints to promote themselves and not Elvis. I hope they are slapped with a big fat lawsuit by EPE!
jcorley wrote on November 17, 2006
Then you all are really going to love this..... [quote] Plot Summary for Tears of a King (2007) In the last days of the life of Elvis Presley, he struggles to overcome the effects on his body and soul of prescription drug abuse and personal mistakes in his lifestyle. In flashback sequences similar to Dickens's "A Christmas Carol", Elvis is guided by a "Mysterious Man" to re-examine turning points in the life he has led. These reflections lead to recognition, realization, repentance, and ultimately ... redemption. -- based on true events. [/quote] I found this on IMDb(dot)com just 5 minutes ago. Lord have mercy.....
jcorley wrote on November 17, 2006
I forgot to add that the Plot Summary is written by Robert Starling himself, the Associate Producer of the movie.
dannyboy1 wrote on November 17, 2006
What a sickening piece of tripe this will be! I really tire or these cults attaching themselves to the Christian religion like leeches. Wish they'd keep their slimy hands off Elvis, that's for sure. Maybe the "man" who guides Elvis in the story is none other than Joseph Smith - the same one who was visited by the angel Moron(i) and given the golden tablets that became the Book of Mormon. I don't usually criticise people's religions but this is just plain crap. Why aren't EPE stopping them? DO IT NOW!!!
Rev. Gerhard wrote on November 17, 2006
In the last 20 years it has been always Priscilla's intention to prove that Elvis had needed Scientology. So don't expect her veto.
Jerome wrote on November 17, 2006
Tears o FAKING is a better way to spell it
Jerome wrote on November 17, 2006
by the way, from looking on the website of this movie, it's a low budget picture. I don't think this will have great publicity
Wiebe wrote on November 17, 2006
I don't think there is anything romantic about Elvis' last days. He was trying to lose weight, preparing for a tour and had the bodyguard book on his mind, which killed him. If they want to release something about his final days, they should release an Elvis In Concert S.E. with interviews with Joe, his doctor and others close around him that saw the illness become fatal. Why not show the real thing? will save a lot of make up etc. His singing in EIC is some of the best he ever did. Pitch wise it is better than TTWII or Aloha, where his intonation was occasionally flat.
jcorley wrote on November 17, 2006
Jerome's right-on about the real title for this 'movie'. Plus, I have an older brother named Jerome. So I must agree. ;)
Rob Wanders wrote on November 18, 2006
oh my God.....!
Juliepresleyfan wrote on November 21, 2006
sounds ok i guess when will it be available in uk, plus why not interview wanda june hill for her thoughts on elvis
pasa-ryu wrote on November 25, 2006
gonna see it,but very skepticle about elvis' so-called intrest in the cult 'latter day saints!-elvis was a christuan and yes he did get confused towards the end,but he knew the lord and would nenver get invloved in such an anti0christian and man made religion..a cult...stil,,it does sound vey worth watching?(i just hope its not used to try and promote the latter day saints religion??)