A double-dose of ELVIS on DVD!

When Elvis Presley returned to live performances back in the summer of 1969, no one could have ever imagined that his triumphant and welcomed stage presence would be that much of a success. Every show was continually sold out. So, the folks at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer decided to capitalize upon this opportunity by sending a camera and sound crew out to California and Nevada to make a documentary of Elvis in rehearsals and in performance, as he prepared for a summer engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1970. The result is a fabulous account of that occasion, brilliantly preserved for all times on celluloid. The concert movie "Elvis-That's The way It Is" perfectly details that moment in time, when Elvis did what he could do best: perform in front of a live audience. This 2-disc DVD set contains both the original version from 1970, and the special edition from 2001. The footage included shows Elvis and his back-up band rehearsing at MGM Studios in Culver City, California, going through quite a variety of songs considered for the upcoming performance. Elvis then joins his backing vocal groups, The Imperials and Sweet Inspirations, for further rehearsals in Las Vegas. All of this leads up to opening night before a sold-out house. Several shows were filmed throughout this engagement, and edited seemlessly together to create a document of the excitement generated by Elvis, live on stage. Both versions on this DVD set perfectly compliment one another, each one giving a totally unique look at how he had the hottest show in town. As a bonus is the theatrical trailer. "That's The Way It Is" shows Elvis at his very best!

Do not buy this, unless your a ELVIS die-hard Fan...

Well, I have heard about this documentary/concert film for awhile. And thought since it was re-mastered, it might be great, and Elvis in his hey-day in Vegas. Well, was I disappointed!!!
First, the sound-quality is awful.!! I don't care if they say Dolby 5.1 or whatever, it's not clear at all. It's not the worst in the world, but when you want to hear Elvis's voice, you want CLEAR, this is just not enough for me.
Second, they list some songs that say are sung in the film. Well, Elvis only partially sings these, in his studio.! I wanted "bridge over troubled waters", and only got a few lines in his studio no less.!!
Also, The film quality is little grainy, It is not high quality. Also, Elvis is goofing off in almost every song he sings on stage.! I like Elvis when he is serious singing. But, there are some bright performances here. You do get to see Elvis move like crazy in some songs, which was a plus.
You will also be appalled at how Elvis just goes around kissing women and girls and children right on the LIPS.!! He must kiss 50 of them in this film, Shoooo.! That left a bad taste in mouth for some reason.
Buy this if you are a die-hard fan, Heck, it is worth watching at least once.!! I won't be watching this film again, It just doesn't have enough good things for me to comeback too.
NOW, I do own 2 other Elvis DVD's and let me tell you, THEY are HIGH QUALITY and GREAT.!!
My 1st recommendation is get "Elvis, Aloha in Hawaii" - This is a Live performance, and the picture quality and sound is Blu-Ray quality. TOP NOTCH.,!
It is so good, and feels like your at the concert in person.!!
2nd Film - "Elvis - 1968 comeback special" - this is also high quality and great sound.
Get both of those, and you should have more of Elvis at his best.

Must-have 2-disc set of revealing Elvis concert footage

I love this 2-disc edition of Elvis-That's the Way It Is because it has both the original theatrical release AND the re-edited (more Elvis-centric) version using previously-unseen footage that was forgotten in the MGM vaults. Thank god for [Ted] Turner Entertainment and his then-control of Warner Bros (which apparently gained the rights to the original-MGM release and the archived unused footage.
The beginning words of the re-edit version tell the short but dramatic story of how the previously-forgotten footage finally came to light. Its great to be able to compare the original theatrical release and the re-edit. The original release has a lot of concert footage of fan hysteria as they eagerly await Elvis' arrival on stage in Phoenix(?) The original release is great on its own--but there's a reason that the re-edit is called Disc 1, while the original release is called Disc 2.
The re-edit is all-Elvis, all the time and he looks like a trim, hungry tiger in his prime and in his element. From the pre-concert rehearsals where he misjudges a dismount from a tandem bike, to the quick-cut where he calls "Lunch!", to his reference to an "infant-baby", to his receiving the congratulations of Cary Grant and Sammy Davis, Jr--Elvis shows the talent, drive and vitality that made him the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll.

That's the Way It Was!

The sterotype of "fat Elvis" in a jumpsuit playing Vegas is a myth that is dispelled by the chronicle of Elvis' return to the stage. While it is true that Elvis was certainly not at his best during his last years while touring the U.S., his first concerts after his successful 1968 TV special were some outstanding engagements in Vegas. Something about the place must have inspired him. He set a new bar for entertainers in 1969 at the International Hotel (now Las Vegas Hilton), and the 1970 shows, some of which are shown here, along with rehearsals, show Elvis in top form, perhaps at the best of his career. He not only completed the return that began inn 1968, he forged a new identity, showing that he had progressed since "Hound Dog." Most of his material from 1969 and later was a mix of Country and R&B, as it had been in the beginning, and he doesn't miss. While, later in the 70s, you hear more melancholy ballads from the King, in 1970 Elvis still rocks. Even the ballads are powerful, which probably led to a reliance on them later. It is hard to argue with the magnitude of his 50s achievements, but he was again at a peak from 1968 through the 1973 telecast, Aloha From Hawaii, via Sattelite. His performances were mixed after that, but those six years rival the 50s. TTWII is the best of this period, along with Elvis On Tour.

EXCELLENT!!

This DVD set shows why Elvis is the one! The original is Great, the second disc gives extra footage that isn't in the original, for one, Elvis yodels! Follows Elvis thru rehearsals, and footage that hasn't been seen since, and no one else has come close. Shows Elvis at his best, why he will always be the one! The energy is electric, Elvis really knew how to give the music life, he really produced the music he was recording. This man has an ear for music, You can't go wrong!!
A must have for everyone
Recommend HIGHLY!!!!!