Elvis - That's the Way It Is
 | Directed by Denis Sanders Starring: Elvis Presley, James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Jerry Scheff MGM (Video & DVD), 1970, VHS Tape Customer Rating: 176 reviews Recommend This product is currently not available and cannot be purchased. It means that we have no merchant offers for this product at the moment or it was discontinued by the manufacturer. |
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This 1970 concert documentary captures Elvis Presley midway through a fateful transition, seeking to reclaim his musical primacy after a decade of self-imposed exile from concert stages. Sidelined by his big-screen career, eclipsed by rock's mid-'60s transformations, the King had begun his return two years earlier with the relatively lean attack of his fabled network television appearance, '68 Comeback Special. Now the Memphis legend was poised to reposition his performing profile by pursuing the top rungs of headliner status in Las Vegas, a career choice that seems even more ephemeral in hindsight than it already did at the time.
Elvis: That's the Way It Is follows the show's genesis from rehearsal to stage, with the performance footage that provides its inevitable climax shot over six nights. The rehearsal footage, expanded for this special edition, offers further proof that Presley's band was simply superb: stripped of the orchestrations and lush choral arrangements that would be grafted onto the stage show, the sextet sounds both tough and nimble. In performance, we're treated to a mostly riveting glimpse of Presley in top vocal form, poised at the brink of bombast. This is Elvis before the onset of portentous Richard Strauss overtures, karate kicks, and tossed scarves, kicking off the show with the classic "That's All Right." If he risks undercutting the punch of his early songs with self-deprecating clowning, he attacks two Ray Charles classics with gusto. The special edition also boasts digitally remastered visuals, crisply remixed Dolby audio, alternate versions that replace the original performances of several tracks (including the extended vamp of "Suspicious Minds"), a theatrical trailer, and a new documentary on the restoration of the film. — Sam Sutherland
Title: Elvis - That's the Way It Is
Sales Rank: 14071 in Music
Actor: Elvis Presley, James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Jerry Scheff
Director: Denis Sanders
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD), 1997-07-08, Theatrical Release: 1970-11-11
Format: Color, Live, Original recording reissued, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language)
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time: 97 minutes
Package Dimensions: 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches, 0.38 pounds
- A must for every Elvis fan
- Every Elvis fan will want this DVD set in their collection. Behind the scenes and great concert coverage will be your reward.… More reviews
- Elvis - That's the Way It Is
- The remade That's the Way It Is, using lots of footage shot for the original but unused at the time, is a fantastic experience, which shows Elvis at his peak. He looks and sounds fabulous.
The documentary begins with a riveting concert excerpt, then takes us back to preparations, first in Los Angeles (July 1970) and then Las Vegas (August).… More reviews
- Elvis - That's the Way It Is (Two-Disc Special Edition)
- Disc No 2 - Very disappointing - Not Dolby Digital - Concert and complete disc only 1 speaker sound.
Please answer if this is to be so?
Regina… More reviews
- Wonderful
- DVD is excellent. Elvis performing and interacting with the audience is a lot of fun to watch. Also, it's interesting to watch the process as he and the band/backup singers prepare for the Vegas show. Highly recommend. … More reviews
- Elvis - That's the Way It Is
- Elvis' concert film of his Las Vegas act. Elvis had a way of owning the songs he sang. His movies made money but hurt his career. As the movies phased out, the era of the white jumpsuit began. Elvis dug in at the International Hotel in August, 1969. "Suspicious Minds" climbed to #1. He was back, giving The Beatles all they… More reviews
