This rockumentary is a must-see experience that takes you backstage and front-row center as Elvis unleashes his incomparable talent and showmanship during his 1970 concert tour.
B-MAN | Earth, occasionally. Until I get bored. | 07/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The "Special Edition" DVD of the 1970 concert film, "That's the way it is",is remastered with better audio, video, and extra footage of Elvis! It has removed footage from the original VHS version (which has a cover showing Elvis in a flowered shirt) such as fan comments, advertising for the show, and even a few Elvis performances ("I just can't help believing" for one). This documentary consists of footage of Elvis in one of the best times of his life emotionally, physically, and vocally. Seriously, the band has to work hard to keep up with the energy that Elvis displays in this show! (see "Polk Salad Annie", "Suspicious Minds", etc.) It is fantastic that this video has been preserved because it shows Elvis at the top of his game. You may notice that the audience is quite tame compared to an arena audience. For one thing the concert is a formal Vegas affair with everyone seated at dining tables. Yes there are still some lovesick girls in the front row, but you can also see celebrities like Sammy Davis, jr. and Cary Grant in attendance. The energy of the audience doesent really matter anyway because the performance Elvis gives is amazing and inspiring. This is a great way to remember Elvis.The DVD will sound, look, and flow much better than the original film. It also has more Elvis and less stuff to fast foward through. Bottom line: Hold on to your old VHS copy for the performances not on the DVD, but buy the DVD for every other reason.TCB"
Elvis - TTWIS Special Edition Beyond Description!
Lon S. Roberts | Atlanta, GA | 01/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first watched the new edit of Elvis - That's The Way It Is On Turner Classic Movies. I also ordered the video from Amazon and had it rush delievered. This movie is so exciting and fresh that it's beyond description. Elvis never sounded better or looked better, and this movie takes advantage of previously unused footage and milks the Elvis experience for everything it's worth (and that's a heck of a lot). Long gone are the previously included interviews and odd fan moments. This movie is pure Elvis. The movie starts with rehearsals and works its way through a Vegas performance. The first 30 minutes are rehearsals and Elvis backstage, providing a glimpse of Elvis rarely seen. Elvis is seen goofing around, and he is seen instructing his band and backup singers in the fashion of a true master. The last hour of the show is an Elvis Vegas performance from start to finish (spliced together from 6 different shows). The Vegas shows culminates in a performance of Suspcious Minds that is alone worth the price of admission. This is a must have. The price is low. The sound and picture quality is excellent, and the editing and production value is first rate. This video is Elvis - the way it really was. Be aware that the TCM tv presentation was in wide screen. The video is available in wide screen and full screen / normal. If you like wide screen be sure to order the correct version of the video package. But either version you get - you will play it over and over and over. It's beyond comprehension! It's so fresh and alive you'll almost forget it wasn't recently filmed. The fade outs and the camera angles are excellent. Hats off to Turner and Warner Brothers for this delightful video!"
Elvis That's the Way it is Special Edition
thekingsback | Hagley UK | 04/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic, Super, Dazzling. This 90 minutes of concert and behind the scenic footage is breath taking. It is 1970 and Elvis has a Vegas tour planned, he has finished his movie contract and has been reborn more mature, thanks to his 68 comeback. `That's the way it is' captures Elvis' charisma, talent and amazing voice, it is totally re-cut and restored by Rick Schmidlin (Greed, Touch of Evil). It is basically split into two parts - off and on stage. The off stage section follows Elvis in the MGM studios and his endearing clowning around through the Vegas warm up and the show itself. And what a show! It shows Elvis at the height of his carer holding the audience spellbound. There is a variety of songs (full list of songs below) incorporating R & B, Blues, Country and of course Rock & Roll. There are touching and spin tingling versions of You've lost that loving feeling and You don't have to say you love me. But naturally all the songs are outstanding. In conclusion I think even if Elvis hadn't had any of his movies, no previous concerts and no fame what so ever, just this - he would still be the King. The full song list -
That's all right
Little sister/Get back
My baby left me
Crying time
Love me
Twenty days and twenty nights
Bridge over troubled water
Cattle call
Chime bells
Santa Claus is back in town
Mary in the morningMystery train/Tiger Man
That's all right
I got a woman
Hound dog
Heartbreak hotel
Love me tender
I can't stop loving youJust pretend
The wonder of you
In the ghetto
Patch it up
You've lost that loving feeling
Polk salad Annie
One night
Don't be cruel
Blue suede shoes
All shook up
You don't have to say you love
Suspicious Minds
Can't help falling in love"
Out with the old; in with the new
A. J. Dobb | UK | 11/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The reviews shown on this page are for the ORIGINAL 1970 version of this movie, not the "special edition" that goes on sale in January. I saw this "new" version recently at a cinema in London and it just blows the old version away!! There are no more sad fans comments, but more Elvis, with plenty of humour from the king and over 40 minutes of previously unseen material. Elvis jokes around with his band and looks superb. Several mild expletives that were previously edited out are now re-instated and the whole production has a modern "MTV" style about it. Ignore the reviews for the old version, this film is now the business!!!"
Outstanding!!!
Bill Mydo | Twin Peaks, WA | 03/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Superb effort went into this project. The "Special Edition" is in every possible way, a major improvement over the original release.
Digitally restored, the picture is crystal clear and brilliant. The film has also been re-edited from its original format, which contained interviews with talking heads, Elivs fans and impersonators, and entirely too little of Elvis. Now, "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" contains lots of extra (in fact, nothing but) footage of Elvis rehearsing, performing, and interacting with folks, including many previously deleted scenes and performances that greatly enhance the impact of the film. Why they cut this stuff out the first time is beyond me.
The movie still serves as a documentary, but basically presents the events of Elvis rehearsing, pre-show jitters, and then the performance (filmed over 6 shows), intended to give viewers the experience of watching the "ultimate Elvis concert."
Did I mention the sound? They actually took the trouble to find the original 16 track reels and have completely digitally remastered it. The sound is fantastic! This is one of those DVDs you could simply put in and LISTEN TOO.
Elvis is at the top of his game - he's in fantastic shape and his vocals and the band sound great. What a performer! What a show! What a Legend.
This DVD does real justice to the King and presents and preserves his musical legacy."