"The greatest thing about rock & roll is that someone like me can be a star" is a quote from Elton John (Reginald Dwight) on the back cover of the inlay to his DVD titled ‘Someone Like Me’. This title is utilized in part for the title of this Kate McIntyre - narrated documentary DVD on the superstar's life.

The introverted English boy was 23 before he became a star. Shy, chubby and bespectacled, he was already losing his hair. Hardly a rock icon then. In the course of a year he had adopted an outrageous stage persona and became a rock sensation. With over 200 million albums sold, including seven consecutive chart toppers, Sir Elton John is one of the most successful recording artists of all time.

The journey from star to legend wasn't an easy one. Depression, bulimia, drug and alcohol addiction, failed relationships and explosive temper tantrums have often threatened to overwhelm him but somehow he has endured.

So who is the real Elton John? How did he go from the 14-year-old playing Jim Reeves songs in a Pinner pub to perhaps the performance of his life at the funeral of close friend Diana, Princess of Wales?

This authoritative new documentary follows Elton's rocky road from troubled child and classical music student through to unpredictable drama queen and international treasure.

As these "unofficial biographies" go (and this package from Eagle Media doesn't use that handle), this Bob Franklin directed documentary is well crafted, starting off with biographer Judy Parkinson giving her thoughts amidst photos of Elton's early home life: his school, a photo of his soccer-playing cousin, and other interesting imagery. Music biographer David Buckley former manager Ray Williams, music journalist Paul Gambaccini, journalist Nina Myskow, and biographer Philip Norman all get dressed up and assist McIntyre in telling the story of Elton John's career, helped out by news footage and interview clips of Elton himself.

All in all, the one-hour-and-12-minute biopic is informative, entertaining, and a very good place to get to know a bit of the Rocket Man. As a bonus there are 11 minutes of additional interview "outtakes" with the commentators. Four other bonus features are also included: a two-minute clip of the singer selling clothing via the Elton John AIDS Foundation, a two-minute news clip on Elton purchasing Goon Show radio scripts, an offbeat three-minute clip on Carnaby Street, and a discography with photos and chart information.

Note should be made that no actual Elton music is used or album covers shown. The minimal stock photos and video are disappointingly sparse, many used more than once. The graphics used to show album chart peak dates are cheesy and primitive. The most interesting portions of this video are news archival snippets about health problems,

Director: ‎ Bob Franklin

Media Format: ‎ Widescreen, NTSC, Color, Multiple Formats

Run time: ‎ 1 hour and 38 minutes

Release date: ‎ 18^th September, 2007

Studio: ‎ Eagle Rock Entertainment

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira