Narrated
By: Joe Esposito
Writer:
Terry Moloney
Director:
Terry Moloney
Feature
length: 130 minutes
Extras:
11 Bonus Scenes
Languages:
English Stereo
Subtitles:
English Captions and French and Spanish Subtitles
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 35 With The Bonus Chapters
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
I
have never been a fan of Elvis Presley. I do not hate him or his music. I am
just not a fan. While Elvis was serving in the army he struck a genuine
friendship with a fellow draftee named Joe Esposito, whom Elvis dubbed
“Diamond Joe” after Joe proved to be a trustworthy help to him. Joe was a
friend of Elvis’ for practically 20 years so it is with genuine affection, Joe
Esposito presents and narrates this feature length documentary that covers his
friendship with Elvis from the 1950s through his death in the mid 70s complete
with rare photos and film footage.
The
documentary is a mixture of videotaped interviews and archival footage that is
quite entertaining as well as interesting without ever becoming gossipy. The
actual length of the documentary is about 86-minutes, but the DVD features an
additional 46 or so minutes of exclusive bonus footage that covers Elvis
impersonators, Elvis’ chimp, and an interview with fans that includes Comedian
David Spade, and much more. These extras are exclusive to the DVD release only
and are not any VHS tape version. These additional scenes can be viewed all at
once or individually. The picture is presented in the (1.33:1) aspect ratio of
the intended home video presentation with a clear English Stereo Soundtrack.
Actually the soundtrack is closer to a Pro Logic mix than stereo. Biographic
information is also included along with trailers for Universal Home
Entertainment’s “K9-P.I.” and some Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical releases.
The menus are standard interactive still frames that are easy to navigate.
I
think this will make for entertaining DVD watching for Elvis fans and as far as
documentaries are concerned, I did find it both interesting and entertaining and
like I said before, I am not an Elvis fan. This documentary is the only one
authorized by the Presley Estate. “Elvis: His Best Friend Remembers” will
debut on DVD-Video on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 from Universal Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.