Four years ago, when the official Elvis biopic hit cinemas, not everyone who knew the King personally approved.
Focused on his marriage to Priscilla Presley, other major girlfriends who lived with him at Graceland were totally skipped over in Baz Luhrmann’s film.
One of them was Linda Thompson, who lived with Elvis at the Memphis mansion from 1972-6.
At the time of the biopic’s release, she wrote on social media her dismay about being “erased” from the King’s life story.
But now any ill feelings seem to have dispersed as she recently attended a premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, Baz’s second film on the King, a documentary focused on his live performances.
Linda wrote on Instagram: “It was a night! Such a night! Take the family and go see EPIC to better understand why Elvis‘s legacy lives on decades after his passing. This tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Baz Luhrmann truly captures the passion, and the ferocity with which Elvis delivered his music. The Pantera was on display… The one he gifted me and promptly took back because it was too fast and he was afraid I would get hurt in the car… The one he famously shot 5 times when it wouldn’t start as we were going to the Memphian Theatre to see movies …
“I had a deeply sensorial reaction to the film’s ultra close-ups…sweat dripping…gorgeous eyes that penetrate the soul… and the depth of feeling that I vividly and viscerally remember Elvis was capable of. I was struck with gratitude for having actually been there and witnessed the electricity of his performances hundreds of times… & that I got to fall asleep with and wake up to this force of nature named Elvis Presley for years. I was privileged to hear & to share his innermost thoughts and feelings. And although I was well aware of the icon and enormous talent he was… To me, he was my very human love with all his strengths and weaknesses, nobility and fallibility, fortitude and frailty… loyalty and mystery…and so deeply complex in his simplicity. The editing of this film by Jonathan Redmond is nothing short of Spectacular. So much of Elvis‘s unique character and personality are on display in this movie…And yet there was so much more to him… more years, more songs, more tours, more Aloha, more jumpsuits, more love…”
In another post, Linda added: “I was so blessed to see hundreds of Elvis‘s shows and share in all those moments with him. For the 4 1/2 years we were together, I accompanied him on all or part of every tour across the United States, was with him at every Las Vegas engagement for that time, and memorised every word to every song he sang on stage. I was always touched by the fact that he wanted me to be with him on the road, at home, in Las Vegas, Memphis, Palm Springs, Hawaii, and wherever we went. Those memories are indelibly etched in my mind and heart. Though my life has gone on to love others, build a successful career as a songwriter, create a wonderful family, and enjoy the fruits of a life well lived… Elvis is someone you never forget…”
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is out now IMAX and in cinemas from February 27, 2026.
