Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
Review: This has to be the greatest video I have ever seen and I have loads of them! What I especially like was the fact that more time was given to performances and actual "Elvis" time, and less to interviewing screaming fans who just say "I love him, I love him" that is in so many of the other tapes. I loved him, too, but would much rather the time be spent on him than talking to fans if I'm going to watch a video about Elvis. To me, though this was much more personal insight into what went on at rehearsals and before and after performances. I felt like I was at a concert, which unfortunately I never got to see live. Thanks so much for making this video available; it was on a cable channel, but not on our cable carrier. I was so devastated because I wasn't going to get to view it; then a friend found it here on Amazon.com and I snapped it up immediately. I'm really glad I did - I love it!
Rating:
Summary: Re-Edit Produces Completely New Movie!
Review: The Special Edition of "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" IS indeed special. From its original release date in the early 70's this concert tape has always been the best performance documentary about Elvis, but at the same time it was always a strange combination of triumph and disappointment. "Special Edition" remedies the disappointment and makes the triumph all the greater! The director of the original movie was Dennis Sanders. He chose to include a great amount of distracting "fan" footage. I always considered myself an Elvis fan, but the fans shown in this movie always embarrassed me. Surely I wasn't like them... Ick!!! They seemed so "weird," so boring, so uncritical and fawning, and I always felt they did not reflect well on Elvis nor on Elvis fans. Their extensive inclusion in the original movie brought the film to a near halt. You couldn't fast forward to the next Elvis footage quickly enough! This new version, "Special Edition" is almost a totally new movie. It is simply amazing. It reduces the distracting fan segments to almost zero and adds much interesting material unused until now. Elvis was at the very beginning of the "comeback" having many new hits and successes that added to his confidence. The voice many of us had feared was gone forever after the lazy 60's movie years, was suddenly back, exciting audiences all over the world again. The first half of this "Special Edition" film shows preparations for the Vegas opening. First in Los Angeles with the Imperials and Sweet Inspirations practicing to Elvis recordings. Then rehearsals with Elvis in Las Vegas. The way in which Elvis prepared, how he was fully involved in the arranging of his music is remarkable. His playfulness, self-deprecating humor, his clowning around with his band members is very amusing and charming. The second half of the film is the actual performances in the main showroom at the International Hotel, Las Vegas in 1970. The film notes that the performances shown here were filmed and selected from six different shows. I like that kind of honesty in a documentary. It is glorious to see this greatest of American entertainers at his best. At 35, Elvis has never looked better: handsome, healthy, slender, working his audience like a magician. Everyone in popular music today owes a debt to Elvis. His influence was world-wide, yet few modern American performers acknowledge any influence from Elvis Presley. Perhaps they don't realize how the singers they do feel influenced them were in turn influenced themselves by Elvis in a long chain. These people all need to look at this new "Special Edition". It is interesting to note that unlike American performers, two Belgian singers, 31-year-old Helmut Lotti and 13 year-old Michael Junior list Elvis as major influences on their own styles. Check out Lotti's "Romantic" right here on Amazon. You'll think you're listening to a reincarnated Elvis. Or check out Michael Junior, also here on Amazon, the most astounding child singer in many, many years. "Elvis, That's the Way It Is, Special Edition" belongs in every serious popular music fan's collection. Buy it today, especially the DVD version. It is truly a triumphant historical document that is as alive and relevant today as it was in 1970.
Rating: 
Summary: Elvis Stills Rocks and Rolls
Review: Man, I'm shocked! This video is fantastic. Elvis, like somebody already said, sounds and looks better than ever. This shows that Elvis will always be the king of Rock and Roll. I'm just sorry that it didn't go to the theater, because this way much more people from my age would be able to know Elvis the way he really was. Now the bad part: you might be asking why did I rated only four stars. I'll tell you why: because I'm sure that there are many more fantastic scenes that were not included in this release. In my opinion everything should be released at once: rehearsals, the 6 complete live performances, etc. I'm only 20 years old but I knew I lot of older people who didn't have the oportunity to watch this fantastic movie. In 1970 Elvis is better than ever, I can't see any reason to hold the footages of the best of the best. The new generations should know, in my opinion, the best thing America has ever given the world: Elvis Presley!
Rating:
Summary: the music of elvis presley
Review: it is my goal to teach the generation of today a little something about music, and to teach everyone what a true singer really is. a true singer is someone who is able to communicate feelings and emotions to his or her audience, to be able to interpret a lyric in such a way as to convey a warmth and passion to the listenner, very few singers this century, or in history for that matter have been able to do this, elvis presley is in an elite group of singers who have tremendous soul, and blessed with a full rich expressive voice, that is very unique and passionate. we may never again witness a remarkable singer with the ability to touch his fans on such an emotional level, and this wonderful new special edition dvd serves as a reminder to us all of the wonderful talent of this man, and his tremendous gift of music that continues to bring joy to millions the world over! i highly reccomend this title to anyone who loves music in general, and of course the millions of elvis fans around the world, enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Elvis - That's The Way It Was!
Review: Despite all his legendary status, Elvis spent most of his career mired in inactivity, bad movies or a drug-and-boredom induced decline. Think of his Army years, the entire decade of the '60s making grade-Z flicks, or the years following the '73 Satellite Special to his untimely death. But it was those few shining years that defined the legend--the TV performances in 1956 and 1957 and the few comeback years following his knockout showing in the '68 TV Singer Special. This terrific movie captures the 35-year-old Elvis at his greatest, during an August, 1970 engagement in Las Vegas, when he really cared. Elvis never looked or sounded better; and, while the people around him look dated, Elvis still remains fresh and vital. In fact, it's a testament to his talent and charisma that the sloppy, unimaginative camerawork doesn't distract; indeed, Presley doesn't need any of the modern, MTV-type razzle-dazzle to hold our attention. This is Elvis like we all like to remember him. Let's give some credit to his first-rate, under-appreciated band, led by the great James Burton on lead guitar, with Ronnie Tutt on drums, Glen Hardin on piano, Jerry Scheff on base and John Wilkinson on rhythm guitar. This movie proves what many around Elvis have said: the man needed a challenge to rise to his immense potential. How sad that only a few years after this Vegas run Elvis slipped into indifference, routine and steep delcine.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis That The Way It Is
Review: This Re Make Was Great It Gave ME the feeling and excitment of seeing Elvis At his Best for the First time . He is just the best musical performer of a life time. I also liked the way thay edited out all of the Fan things and added more Elvis.If You havnt bought this vidieo and your a Elvis Fan or Not this is one you should not miss. And If your not Elvis fan you will be after watching this vidieo.
Rating:
Summary: Viva Elvis!
Review: I just watched this special DVD edition on TCM and I must say that this edition is much better than the original version. This films clearly shows you why Elvis is the greatest performer that ever lived. New Songs were added and also sound quality is great. These shows proved why we associate Elvis with Las Vegas. This is clearly a great film!
Rating:
Summary: Great Job on New TTWII Version
Review: Since I live in Memphis and have seen the movie both in August and again in Jan 2001, I can say that the NEW DVD TTWII will be worth the price. Even though some songs will be left out due to some legal problems, the sound is Great and the extra footage at the end of the movie backstage with Elvis and Sammy Davis Jr is wonderful. (Just not long enough) A must for any Elvis fan, and collector!
Rating:
Summary: Quintessential Elvis!
Review: Chronologically and sometimes painfully accurate, "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" chronicles, in vivid detail, the life and times of the greatest performer that ever lived! From the early years being shunned and harshly criticized by most, to the movie years and after as "The King" adored by all, every detail, both personal and professional, is presented in an honest and unbiased, yet tastefully personal, documentary honoring the best of the world's Rock and Roll Royalty. An absolute "must have" for any Elvis fan!
Rating:
Summary: elvis the performer
Review: THIS FILM IS MUST FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES MUSIC! THE KING IS IN AWSOME FORM AS HE DELIVERS SOME OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF ALL TIME.
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