Rating: 
Summary: I Can't Stop Loving You
Review: OK, it's all been said. In art there can never be perfection, only masters. The single most serious flaw in the original, being the sound, has been wonderfully corrected with a Dolby stereo re-mix that truly shines. "I Just Can't Help Beleivin'" (from the same take that's in the original film) was released as a single 30 years ago, so get over it that it's not in this film. This is a great remake of a flawed original film. O.K. besides all that, I just gave it 5 stars for only this: Hands down, Simply the best recording of, "I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU"...Ever.
Rating: 
Summary: Someone PLEASE RE-EDIT THIS CLASSIC!
Review: The original version of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" was a classic about a musical legend. Yes there were some annoying fan interviews which did slow down the overall impact of the movie, but this new "Special Edition" version of the movie is just a 21st century, MTV-style edited version that, while it still entertains, leaves those of us who saw the original version of the movie, wanting much much more. I don't want to see fast motion montages of Vegas, or Elvis and his entourage walking backstage, this is supposed to be a chronicle of one of the greatest performances of the King of Rock and Roll, not the Benny Hill Show! Alright, so all those interviews were wiped out, good move. But for all the good that did, cutting out several of the King's best songs (shown in the original version) just wasn't worth it. I don't know who decided to produce this new "Special Edition" version, but it's obvious they went about it all wrong. What about the DVD extras? A 9 minute pretty worthless documentary about the reconstruction of the movie. Also some more useless tidbits about who Elvis was...blah blah blah...as if the actual person who would buy this DVD would have never heard of him or his life story by now. It really saddens me to say this, but I wanted to love this DVD. I wanted to look at this movie, and say "This is the difinitive Elvis DVD EVERYONE should own", unfortunately, I have to say to people...if you can find it anywhere, buy the original version instead. Oh the potential is there for a newer, far better version of this movie to be released, but it's too bad this version doesn't cut it. Now I'll tell you what REAL Elvis fans would like to see in the DVD "Elvis: That's The Way It Is (The FANS' version). Take the original version of the movie, then remove all the fan interviews. Now take all the pre-show planning scenes of the original, combine them with the pre-show scenes of the new version, and edit them together into one great "Behind the Scenes of Elvis: That's The Way It Is"...This will be the 90 minute "making of the show" (DVD Extra)...Now that we know what the DVD extra will be, what about the title movie? Well, with all the great new concert footage used in this special edition, they should combine all of it, with the old footage, as well as all the songs from the original version that were FOOLISHLY edited out for the Special Edition. There you have it. THIS is what Elvis fans want: 1. A 90 minute "Making of" documentary that shows all the behind the scenes action, clowning around, etc. and 2. A 90 minute "In Concert" version of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is", which shows all the actual performance footage from the original version, plus the new found footage from the Special Edition. Yes the DVD quality of this version looks awesome, but I wanted a coherent concert movie, not the mess they gave us. Nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: 2001 Version Does Not "Patch It Up" But Rather Cuts It Up
Review: In this new 2001 version of "Elvis That's the Way it Is", a true Elvis fan cannot help but be bitterly disappointed by the array of disjointed and cut-up "outtakes" that this movie represents. The original movie fully captured the essence of the Elvis era, and the excitement that fans felt in anticipating and experiencing an Elvis performance. The original has a coherent flow from pre-stage preparations to wonderful full versions of his stage performance. This new version is a hodge podge of his worst moments with the majority of the quality cut out. The stage performance is bleak with emphasis on the "hamming it up" moments rather than hearing his awesome full length performances. Even "Bridge Over Trouble Water" is sliced out. With the exception of the novelty of seeing a few new pieces of footage (however poor they maybe), the Original version in my prediction will become a "cult" classic with this later version taking a place on the back shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: Elvis: That's The Way It Is
Review: I am a fan of Elvis' 1970 classic white jumpsuit period and was delighted to see the 30th anniversary video with new footage. When I learned of its release in early 2001, I was hoping there would be more footage of Elvis' September 1970 Phoenix Coliseum show (the brief bit that opened the original movie and seemed to be the most excitement of an alread exciting movie), but was dissapointed that the entire credit sequence was redone. Not to worry, the new scenes at Culver City (July '70) and at the International Hotel (August '70) are fascinating. Basically the entire movie has been redone on new angles of filming. All the interviews with the fans are gone so the action onstage is left uninterrupted. But as with the original movie, I wish the Phoenix footage received more attention. Oh well.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis Will ALWAYS Be The King
Review: This is a MASTERPIECE. For anyone who didn't get to see Elvis in person, this is about the best representation of a live performance that you can get (well, this and "Aloha" are pretty even in my book!) This DVD shows the fun that Elvis had in the studio with his bandmates and singers. It shows what a great talent and arranger Elvis was. I don't think he was given enough credit for his musical expertise. Just watching him come up with what he wanted his background singers to sing and what he wanted the musicians to play is fascinating! I think one of the best part of Elvis's live performances, other than Elvis himself, was the TCB band, orchestra, singers, and the arrangements of the songs. Elvis will ALWAYS be King. There will never be another performer like him, EVER. I highly recommend this. If you are NOT an Elvis fan, you will by the time you get 10 minutes into this. Enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Real Elvis
Review: Not Having seen Elvis Live during his lifetime, I feel that the next best thing is seeing this DVD.I remember very well the original release at the cinema and on Video Tape and it was good. They did a superb job of restoring this DVD. I mean with the superior technical aspects of DVD, If ever there is a perfect example of the difference between Video tape and DVD this is it. Whether you are a fan or not you should enjoy this DVD. I also like the "Patch it up" feature which briefly explained the job of restoration. Amazing. Watching the concert was most enjoyable particule as it is complete and uninterrupted. A great addition to my DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: An Absolutely Brilliant DVD!! A Must For All Elvis Fans!!
Review: Finally Hollywood has decided to wake up and pay attention to giving Elvis the long overdue credit and positive exposure he has deserved for so long. There will never be another entertainer quite like the calibre of Elvis, giving his fans and the world some of the best and unforgettable music and dynamic performances that will be long remembered. This special edition DVD is a remarkable achievement and portrays Elvis at his absolute peak, knockin em' dead with his enthusiasm and high powered energetic show. I have the original 1970 release on VHS and I am going to either give it away or toss it in the can because this version with it's additional unseen footage is simply fantastic!! The picture quality on this DVD edition was fabulous, never before has anyone had the chance to see Elvis so clearly and so colourful! Not to mention the brilliant Dolby 5.1 sound, Elvis has never sounded better. It's almost as if he is performing in your living room it's that good!! The only minor criticism I have is that the additional feature entitled "patch it up" was very brief and could have been more detailed with extra information showing the 35mm to DVD transfer process etc etc. As others have noted some tracks from the original are missing. This is disappointing but hey you can't have everything! Hopefully a second re-vamped version will include these songs but we will see. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the producers, editors and researchers and everyone else associated with the making of this film on an outstanding effort, the result speaks for itself. Most of all I think we would all like to thank Elvis for giving us the wonderful memories that we have been left with. The world will never be the same without him, but thanks to modern technology we can continue to enjoy his music they way it was intended to be. Thankyouverymuch!
Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD BUT YET THEY LET US DOWN
Review: NOT ELVIS IN ANY WAY JUST WARNER BROS,THE DVD IS 110% BRILLANT AND IT HAS A TRUE PICTURE OF THE GREATEST DOING WHAT HE DID BEST ANY FAN SHOULD HAVE THIS IN THERE COLLECTION. THE PROBLEM I HAD WAS WHEN I OPENED THE BOX AND SAW THE BONUS FEATURE TO THEN JUMP UP AND DOWN AND THEN CRY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ON IT,UNDER THE TRACK LISTING IT HAS THE BONUS MATERIAL OF MAYBE 15 SONGS EXAMPLE:STRANGER IN THE CROWN LIVE,I JUST CANT HELP BELIEVEING ,TIGERMAN,AND MANY MORE. I THINK AS A TRUE ELVIS FAN I LOVE IT 110% BUT WE AS FANS WERE PROMISED THE EXTRA ON THE DVD AND WHEN WE QUESTIONED IT WE HEARD OF LITTLE PROBLEMS THAT ALWAYS COME UP WITH ELVIS PRODUCTS I AM NOT COMPLAING ABOUT THE DVD AT ALL IT IS THE GREATEST THING EVER BUT WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE GETTING MORE YOU DONT,YOU MAY THINK I AM SELFISH BUT THE PROMISED OVER AND HOUR EXTRA FOOTAGE AS A BONUS TO THE DVD,ALOT OF ELVIS FANS LIKE ME HAVE ASKED WHERE HAS THE XTRA BONUS FOOTAGE GONE THAT THE TELL US ON THE DVD? WE STILL AWAIT THERE ANSWER,YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT ON YOUR DVD COVER BUT ON THE FIRST PRINTS IT STATES THE BONUS MATERIAL UNDER THE ORIGINAL SPECIAL EDITION. I STILL LOVE IT THOUGH AND LETS HOPE THE ON TOUR ONE WILL BE AS GOOD
Rating: 
Summary: what happened to the .1 ?
Review: I think this was a great reproduction of the original movie.The movies main goal was to eliminate all the footage that people did'nt want to see anyways.The problem I have is my subwoofer turns to the stand by mode when playing this dvd meaning there is no information being sent to it.This movie is supposed to be in 5.1
Rating:
Summary: special edition?
Review: Great video, but some people say a few songs have been removed. It is also implied by the trailer before the movie and Elvis' rehearsals (can't help believin, sweet caroline, 20 days and nights, bridge over troubled water). That's a shame if it is true to do that with a special edition. Otherwise would have given 5 stars. Elvis looks and sounds great. Just pretend gives me gooseflesh. I will buy the live album with the same name, which seems to feature the songs cut here. Can't help believin is a great track, at least I will have it on cd.
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