Elvis Presley’s descent into drug addiction was described candidly by Priscilla Presley on Wednesday for a panel on HBO’s new documentary “Elvis Presley: The Searcher” as part of the South by Southwest Film Festival.
The three-hour, two-part documentary had its world premiere at the festival and debuts on on April 14, telling the tale of Elvis Presley’s life from childhood to his final years. Priscilla Presley executive produced the film
It was the last chapter which she said she struggled with, People magazine reported.
The documentary delves into the rock star’s fatal addiction with prescription drugs, but director Thom Zimny said he was in close contact with Priscilla Presley for guidance on that portion of the film.
Reliving the memories leading up to her husband’s death in 1977 proved to be hard for her.
Recalling those harrowing years, Priscilla Presley said it was a tough time for their family.
“We certainly didn’t see it coming,” she said, per People. “But we certainly saw the journey he was taking.”
She recounted how outsiders often verbally attacked her for not intervening in a problem which had its roots reaching back years before when Elvis Presley was in the Army stationed overseas in the late 50s.
“People go, well, ‘Why didn’t anyone do anything?’ Well, that’s not true,” she said, according to Fox News.
“People there in the inner group did, but you did not tell Elvis Presley what to do. You did not. I mean, you’d be out of there faster than a scratched cat. They would try and no way. He knew what he was doing.”
The documentary features interviews with various prominent musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Robertson and Tom Petty, The Austin Chronicle noted.
Speaking at the panel, Priscilla Presley explained that it was impossible to sum up Elvis Presley’s story in one hour.
“So that's why I say it takes you on a journey,” she said of the documentary, according to the Daily Mail.
“In this generation, everybody wants everything right now, but in order to get the true feeling of it, you have to see it.”
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