Elvis

Elvis

Year: 1979

Runtime: 168 mins

Language: English

Director: John Carpenter

DramaHistoryMusicTV MovieSong and dance

The King lives on! This biopic traces Elvis Presley’s life from his impoverished childhood to his meteoric rise to stardom to his triumphant conquering of Las Vegas.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Elvis yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Elvis (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Elvis (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1945-1969

The story spans the mid-20th century, beginning with Elvis's childhood in 1945 and culminating in his 1969 Vegas comeback. It follows the transformation from a regional musician to a national icon, through the 1950s rise, the late-1950s military period, and the 1960s film career and stage revivals. The era is defined by rapid cultural shifts, television exposure, and the evolving music industry.

Location

Tupelo, Mississippi, Memphis, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Nevada, Germany

The narrative moves across key sites of Elvis's life: his boyhood in Tupelo, where music first calls to him and a stillborn brother casts a shadow over family life. It then shifts to Memphis as Elvis starts to break out, facing local harassment and rising fame. The Vegas strip becomes the showcase for his comeback, while his Army years relocate him to Germany, shaping his maturity and personal life.

🌆 Southern US 🎵 Music History 🗺️ Travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

Main Characters – Elvis (1979)

Meet the key characters of Elvis (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Elvis Presley

A magnetic, restless performer whose talent drives a rapid rise from local venues to worldwide fame. He battles the pressures of fame, loyalty to his roots, and the evolving expectations of his image while maintaining a fierce drive to perform. His charisma on stage and his personal connections define the arc from early heartbreak to ultimate comeback.

🎭 Performer 🎵 Music Icon

Colonel Tom Parker

An enigmatic manager who reshapes Elvis's career, pushing for bigger gigs, film opportunities, and lucrative contracts. He serves as a controlling yet shrewd gatekeeper, accelerating Elvis's rise while provoking tension with his creators and collaborators. His influence marks the transformation of Elvis into a global phenomenon.

🤵 Manager ⚖️ Negotiator

Gladys Presley

Elvis's devoted mother, protective and hopeful for her son's success while bearing the family burden. Her love provides emotional grounding but also intensifies the pressure Elvis feels to please his family. Her presence and loss deeply affect Elvis's emotional world.

👩‍👦 Mother 💖 Support

Bonnie

Elvis's girlfriend whose relationship provides emotional counterpoint to his rising career. Her presence highlights the strain between distance, fame, and personal connection, including moments of loyalty and heartbreak as their romance evolves.

💑 Love Interest 💔 Heartbreak

Scotty Moore

Lead guitarist and early bandmate who helps establish Elvis's signature sound. He represents the supportive circle surrounding Elvis during the Sun Records era and the first wave of his fame.

🎸 Musician 🤝 Bandmate

Bill Black

Bass player and early member of Elvis's band, contributing to the initial rockabilly sound that defined Elvis's early recordings. He embodies the tight-knit group behind Elvis as fame begins to surge.

🎶 Musician 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bandmate

Sam Phillips

Owner of Sun Records who discovers Elvis and pushes for a new, racially blurred sound. His belief in Elvis's potential catalyzes the switch toward a larger, more commercial audience.

🎚️ Producer 🧭 Talent Scout

Ed Sullivan

Television host who becomes a gatekeeper of Elvis's public image, governing what audiences can see and hear on national TV. His appearance decisions reflect the era's censorship and the tension between art and broadcast standards.

🎬 TV Icon 🗣️ Gatekeeper

Priscilla Presley

Elvis's partner who becomes a central emotional counterpoint as fame isolates him. Her relationship with Elvis evolves through separation and connection, highlighting the strain fame places on personal life and intimacy.

👩‍💼 Partner 💞 Romance

Lisa Marie Presley

Elvis and Priscilla's daughter, introduced as a symbol of future hope and new life amid the turbulence of Elvis's career and fame. Her presence foreshadows Elvis's longing for family stability.

👶 Future Icon 👨‍👧 Daughter

Jesse Garon Presley

Elvis's stillborn twin brother, whose absence casts a lingering emotional weight over Elvis's family history and personal motivation. The memory of Jesse anchors Elvis's sense of loss throughout his life.

💔 Loss 👶 Twin

Red West

Elvis's friend and associate who navigates the complexities of fame with him. Their relationship reflects the camaraderie and tension that accompany a rising star amid shifting social circles.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friend 🎭 Confidant

Vernon Presley

Elvis's father, a steady presence who shares in the family's joys and stresses as Elvis's career takes off. His support and concern ground Elvis amid the whirlwind of stardom.

👨‍👦 Father Support

Nick Adams

A fellow actor and friend who enters Elvis's Hollywood world, offering companionship and insight as Elvis navigates film careers and public attention.

🧑‍🎤 Friend 👨‍✈️ Colleague

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

Major Themes – Elvis (1979)

Explore the central themes of Elvis (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎤 Fame and Identity

Elvis's rise to superstardom is driven by a desire to shape his own image while meeting external expectations. The narrative shows how managers, studios, and fans push him toward a marketable persona. His onstage energy clashes with personal doubts about authenticity, loyalty, and belonging, defining his public identity as the King of Rock and Roll.

💔 Family and Loss

Gladys's love anchors Elvis but also anchors him to family duty and sorrow. The stillbirth of Jesse Garon and Gladys's illness weigh heavily on his choices and priorities. These losses shape his relationships, including the strain and support dynamics with Bonnie and Priscilla.

🕺 Performance and Celebrity

Live performance is shown as both salvation and strain, with electrifying shows, censorship battles on television, and relentless media glare. Elvis's artistry collides with commercial demands and public scrutiny, highlighting the constant tension between artistic freedom and mass appeal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:01

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Elvis

Don't stop at just watching — explore Elvis in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Elvis is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Elvis Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Elvis, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Elvis Summary

Elvis Timeline

Track the full timeline of Elvis with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Elvis Timeline

More About Elvis

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Elvis: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Elvis