User Reviews

Loyal Elvis fans and devotees of Sam Phillips and Sun Records may find the restraints that a short mini-series (6 episodes) imposes on a big history frustrating. The condensing of the history is perhaps foregivable, although it appears remiss to have overlooked artists such as Howlin' Wolf and B. B. King, and arguably relocating some facts in the time-line creates greater dramatic impact. But in the telling of Elvis' story the writers appear to have relied more on myth and gossip rather than the known facts, and in some instances there are glaringly rewrites of history. Although some reviewers themselves appear to misinterpreted the facts: for example the relationship between Marion K and Sam Phillips was, according to Peter Guralnick, physical. However, all involved have created a series that goes some way to invoking the excitement of the times, with the cast giving credible and believable performances. If you can overcome any frustrations this is an enjoyable fun piece of television that left me wanting more when the credits had rolled on the final episode. I for one would like a season 2, but with a poor showing when aired it seems unlikely that CMT will pick-up the option.

The TV series was cancelled after only one season of 8 episodes. They wasted way too much time telling the back stories of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Never got close to the "Million Dollar Quartet" gathering of those four early rock stars that was the basis for the series and would have been the big finale of the show. Instead it ends with just the "warm up" for the main event. Disappointing! Also strays from some of the facts. For example, Marion Keisker was older and not as attractive as the actress in the seires and she never had an affair with Sam Phillips. Could have been a great series if they had moved the story along much faster and got to the Million Dollar Quartet by the 8th and final episode, but instead they tried to "milk it" for 2 or 3 seasons. BIG MISTAKE!

The movie is good. I like it. Probably It would be much better if we speak mainly about Elvis' life not Sam Philips. Elvis' life is a real story of a boy growing up in that windy time in Tennessee. But I am happy about that movie. For me that's how real life should looks. Imagine the world that way. We would live more real and happier life. And I didn't know that sky*e was existed through 50's. I wanna everybody hearing the voice of sky*e. The time is - 4th episode, 21:41m.

it appears that many people think this is a show about Elvis, even thou it's called "Sun Records". Well, surprise: It's about sun records and its founder Sam Philipps. And it's not about Elvis. Nor Johnny Cash. Or Jerry Lee Lewis. It also is not about Michael Jackson or Lady Gaga. It's called Sun Records, remember? If you feel betrayed, I figure it's your own fault - for not reading the series' title. whoops, huh.

As such, I find it the perfect way to portray the beginnings of rock'n'roll since sun records played a main part in that. The playing is very decent, the narratology works rather well.

Thank you for giving us this mini series.

If the show is gonna portray people from the deep South, then it should put actors in place who don't have to fake the accents. I was born and raised during this time in the Mississippi Delta, watched these guys when I was young, and was really looking forward to this show, but I am so put off by the fake Southern drawls that I am having a hard time with it.

My husband and I loved this show. Having grown up in the South myself during the time of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis it was especially memorable for me. Actually bought an Elvis 45 on Sun Records label in Georgia 1955. We found the background on Sam Phillips (sexiest man on TV)and his life as well as Col. Parker the most interesting part of the show. We all know how Elvis, Johnny, and the others all turned out. Who knew what a sleeze Tom Parker was, or how hard it was to get Sun Records established. Loved all the characters Couldn't wait for the next episode. The casting of these characters was brilliant to say the least. I really hope there is a next season . My family as well as many of my friends will be eagerly watching.

I had been looking forward to seeing this for a long time so when I started watching it I forgave a supposed 16 year old Elvis looking older. But then it just had so many inaccuracies- from Ike Turner being shot at, too Blue Moon Of Kentucky being Elvis's first single to Marion Keisker's complete make-over to Elvis not shopping at Lansky's until the Colonel advises it and then dying his hair black 2 years before it actually happened. It's all so annoying that it ruined what might have been a good show

My 7 year old is obsessed with Elvis and The Beach Boys and she kept talking about his show so we started watching it. This show is so good. I like that it shows Johnny Cash because I love his music as well and she gets to see other music besides just what is mainly in movies and TV shows. The acting is good and not cheesy. Makes you want to learn more about the characters.

The errors are glaring and insulting. Elvis Presley's 1st hit was *not* "Blue Moon of Kentucky". It was "That's all right" that Sam Phillips heard Elvis do, and promoted it on local stations. That was his first hit, not "Blue Moon of Kentucky", which was the flip side. I have no idea how they got such an iconic record wrong. Phillips did *not* turn Ike Turner away because Ike didn't have the few dollars to cut a record. B.B. King suggested that Phillips listen to Ike Turners Kings Of Rhythm and he did. Turner didn't steal the tip jar from a restaurant, and a restaurant owner did not fire a rifle at a fleeing Turner and hit his amplifier. There are many versions of how the amplifier was damaged, but it certainly wasn't from a bullet. That whole segment was a complete fabrication. Ike Turner did *not* jealously leave the recording session when when Jackie Brenston sang lead on "Rocket 88". I have never read anything that suggested that he was anything but perfectly fine with that arrangement. Brenston did *not* leave the "King of Rhythm" to work for Sam Phillips. He left to become a solo performer with a big band. That whole story line about Marion and Sam's torrid love affair is not documented anywhere. It appears to be pure soap opera, and as was pointed out by another reviewer, the real Marion was hardly the hot chick that Sam would have left his wife for. She was seven years older than him and looked older than that! Lastly, the series was *not* based on the play "The Million Dollar Quartet". In fact, TMDQ took place over the period of *one day* when the four singers got together. This series ends long before that meeting. What a monumental disappointment "Sun Records" is.

So what if it's not 100% correct on ages and time lines of events? (Hank Snow was older than those emerging singers in real life... does it bother me that he is portrayed younger? No.)

Billy Gardell (from the CBS sitcom "Mike and Molly") shows an impressive range of acting with his portrayal of Col. Tom Parker. The maniacal "Dewey Phillips" character as an out of control disc jockey is hilarious. There is too much good about this series to let it be outweighed by nit-picking as they call it in the south.

Super impressed with the first episode. Not one dull moment, great pace, excellent writing and the acting is superb. The guy who plays Dewey Phillips is amazing as well as the guy playing the Colonel. Chad Michael Murray believe it or not is excellent- yeah that surprised me too. The guy who plays Elvis has an excellent voice. If there was any justice, if the rest of this series maintains thus level, they would sweep the Emmys next year but there isn't any cause none of them are playing full on retards.

Pretty good show. Well acted and very well written. A little too much on the time spent separating black and white. Yes it was a serious issue back then as well as a serious influence on our artist. But they didn't play the race issues natural enough. Another problem with this that did get irritating was the syncing of the voice over recordings. With Elvis and Cash, voice over got too obvious. As for set decorating and cinematography...very pleasing! I'm 50's born and raised do I enjoyed it.

Watching this after just a little research (including a trip to Memphis), one can't help wonder if the people behind it (professionals?) ever did research at all. All the show is about is the pretty young faces of the actors, the story becomes fiction, details get forgotten, and history overlooked (badly).

Besides, the writing and acting really feel like some high school production.

Poor.

I grew up in that period of time and it brings back fond memories of my teenage years. I enjoy the actors and the content of all the characters they are portraying. I truly hope that this will be a continuing series. It is interesting to learn what the characters did before becoming famous. Example is I didn't realize that Johnny Cash was in the air force.

A huge disappointment. This is NOT the true story of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley or any of the characters portrayed. Read anything by Peter Guralnick, most particularly his book "Sam Phillips— The Man Who Invented Rock 'n Roll". While the bones of the story may be correct (and the filming at actual sites in Memphis is a treat), it's the little things that irritate and insult. The portrayal of Marion Keisker as a hot chick having an even hotter love affair with Sam. In reality she was a strong, school-marm-looking woman who may have been in love with Sam, but the feeling was not mutual. Elvis and a fictional middle-class girlfriend named Trixie. He lived in the projects and would not have been dating someone in the better part of town (let alone climbing into her bedroom window). He did have a girlfriend named Dixie though. A shrew-like Becky Phillips who in reality understood and supported Sam. Sam's children are portrayed as infants when in reality they were 6 and 8 when they met Elvis. Elvis having no style until Colonel Parker told him to upgrade his look. In fact Elvis shopped at Lansky's on Beale Street for years before he ever made a record. Oh the annoyances! As a series it's poorly constructed with too many story lines and peripheral characters unknown to most viewers (The Prisonaires, Jackie Brenston, Joe Hill Louis, etc.). Supposedly this series was inspired by the stage musical "Million Dollar Quartet". I'm a tough critic, but that was actually quite good. It covered one day in the life of Sun Records. Maybe this should have done the same.

I love Sun Records! The show has been introducing the characters of the show and there has to be a season two because all the up and coming stars have to be discovered and their stories told. To me, the show is just beginning. There needs to be more episodes to tell the full story of SUN Records. It is great to reminisce the beginning of rock n roll. YES! LET THERE BE MORE.

They didn't give the show time to Develop! It was a great show that me and my family enjoyed watching. They should have gave it time for ratings, it was new and just starting out. Shows just don't get ratings after a day!!!!! Boy meets world and one tree hill and other shows started out with bad ratings and was going to cancel. But guess what?. They kept it going and those shows turn out to be a big hit!!!! I thought for sure this show was going to make it and it mad me sad that they they just stopped it and ended with nothing. Didn't even fished the story line. Wow!!!! Please pick up where you left off!!!!!!'

Pure mainline nostalgia for those of a certain age. Great production values. Pioneers of a bygone age mostly gone now. But there is always Bob Joyce.

I wish the show went on from the first season. The actors and actresses were great.