DVD Corner

Elvis ’56 Blu-ray Review

“Elvis ‘56” is a decent, but basic Elvis documentary.  

Narrated by Levon Helm of The Band, 1987’s “Elvis ‘56” is a TV documentary that runs 61 minutes. Alan Raymond directs this feature which is entirely comprised of archival footage of Elvis through the years with a primary emphasis on the year 1956. In this pivotal year of Elvis Presley (who was a mere 21 years of age), we learn about his records, TV appearances, how he shook up the world with his dance moves, his tour, his fandom, the start of his movie career, his lifestyle, the various music genres he dabbled in, his family, and more.

No doubt released in conjunction with the theatrical “EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert,” the “Elvis ‘56” documentary is a very rushed and basic summation of Elvis in the early years. The film features a variety of behind-the-scenes footage, home videos, still photos, audio clips, and full TV appearances with Elvis performing tracks like “Tutti Frutti,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” While perhaps a good watch at the time, it all feels like old hat at this point as there have been superior documentaries and concert films that dig deeper into the man, the myth and the legend (including the just released aforementioned ‘EPiC’). 

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this documentary is seeing all of the TV appearances in full. Sure, they are more readily available in the internet age, but back in 1987, it was a treat to see them compiled together in this documentary. Not only does it show Elvis in his prime, but you also get a sense of the cultural impact he had and how he was deemed controversial back in the 50’s. It may seem entirely ridiculous now that mere dance moves were deemed shocking and unsuitable for TV, but it also shows you just how much society has changed (and how much Elvis changed it). Yes, there have been bands and artists that have made as big of an impact in pop culture, but as this film shows, Elvis was truly a one of a kind entertainer.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? Upscaled to 1080p and remastered using up-conversion and noise management processes, this “remastered in hi-def” documentary is unlikely to wow anyone from a picture quality standpoint. It’s a cheap upgrade, but it’s at least a step up from past home video releases.

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 2.0. How does it sound? The quality is low, but it’s passable.

No extras.

March 3, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | documentary, Elvis '56 Blu-ray Review, Elvis Documentary, Elvis Presley