Elvis In Concert - DTS version

October 21, 2004 | Video

The cover of the "Elvis In Concert” release reads “he is sick. He suffers. But he will pulls it off. This Is …” Well we'll decide what this is.

Cover

Seeing this cover we don’t understand what fans complain about when they talk about the bad shape Elvis was in during this show. He looks stunning … but only because they used the "That’s The Way It Is SE” cover for this release. The smaller picture show Elvis as he was in June 1977. Part of this cover has been taken from cover sites using the “Crown Electric” logo on their self made designs. As with other covers from Asia, you can almost start counting the typos or wrong English from the first line.

Content

This DVD contains Elvis performances from Omaha (June 19th, 1977), Rapid City (June 21st. 1977) and the U.S. version of the CBS Special. Buying a DVD you always hope for a certain quality. But hope is deceiving, as this release shows. It contains a video transfer, so we bought what we already had. The audio quality is o.k. but the “DTS” and “Dolby 5.1. Surround Stereo” options are bullsh*t, you can’t improve a video transfer that much.

As for the actual content of the DVD, Elvis delivers the songs, some bad, some good, but seeing a man obviously sick and in pain, not wanting to be up there, we can’t enjoy these performances.

Someone in the audience shouts something and Elvis replies with “Is that God calling”, and Elvis starts looking around. It wasn’t too long before God would be calling on him. If only he had done that two months earlier, so these sad images of a man in pain hadn’t been shot.

Conclusion

As a fan we want to see these at least once, as part of history, but after watching five minutes, we wish we hadn’t. And these recordings should only circulate in the fan circuit. The damage that the use of “My Way” in “This Is Elvis” did to Elvis and his image still can’t be repaired. We wonder if these concerts will ever be released officially, because in this quality it can’t be official, not even in the Far East where you can buy this DVD at on-line shops.

CD King wrote on October 22, 2004

This particular DVD is now available in Mass Circulation in Indonesia, India, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and all over Asia. Not to mention, all over the Internet as well. It is a shame & disgrace that now everyone will get to see Elvis in poor quality--All because EPE refuse to issue a proper Perfect quality version. A New revamp reedited version showing Elvis in more favorable outtake angles would make a fine DVD. All these millions of dollars profit now goes to those smart businessmen instead of going to EPE which is EPE's own doing in the first place. Hope EPE will be smart enough to come out with an Official Version soon. It is still not too late.

judy presley wrote on October 29, 2004

There are some wonderful moments and songs contained in the last three June concerts which, as most fans agree, could be made into something marvelous if EPE would consider it. I for one would not like an issue of the CBS TV special as it was broadcast for a variety of reasons - none of which related to Elvis. As for any damage done to Elvis' image - I think this is solely down to extremely poor quality merchandising and extremely bad impersonators!

Jefffirmin wrote on October 29, 2004

Well said Elvisnews. I too wanted to watch these shows but probably more out of curiosity than anything else. Despite a few good performances such as My Way, Trying to Get to You & I Really Don't Want to Know, Elvis was obviously in very bad shape and should not have been there. I always have mixed feelings when I see any of this footage; happy to just be watching Elvis (who generally seems to be enjoying himself - but maybe that was just for the crowd) but also great sadness at his situation during those last years, particularly the last 18 months or so. These shows were very sub-standard by Elvis' standard of some years earlier (69-72) and those people wanting an official release should seriously consider the consequences of such a general release - it can only do his image damage. EPE has worked hard to improve his image in recent years, work which would surely be undone by this footage being released. Destroy this footage forever, it does Elvis no justice whatsoever. It just shows him at his worst, for what he became, an overweight, drug addict near death. I don't want to remember him that way - DO YOU?

King Of Western Bop wrote on November 09, 2004

I can't understand the line "The damage that the use of “My Way” in “This Is Elvis” did to Elvis and his image still can’t be repaired". First of all, if those who are put off by Elvis' appearance and are not prepared to look at the circumstances surrounding the man - including his human failings - then they're not worth bothering about anyway. I happen to think that "My Way" is probably the best thing from the TV special - certainly Elvis' best version of the song - in fact the best version of the song by anyone! What's done is done. The Elvis haters would hate him even if he had died looking like he did in the '68 Special. It was a great shame that it ended the way it did but I'm not ashamed of him - and I'm not worried about morons who haven't got the brains or compassion to understand the full picture. And what a lame brain idea of destroying the footage. Ye gods! If you want to admire a perfect figure then go to your local museum. I'm sure they have plenty of marble statues to admire - though even they have their imperfections if you look close enough. Something tells me they won't give you anywhere near the pleasure that Elvis did.

Ton Bruins wrote on November 10, 2004

Jefffirmin, destroy this footage ? Are you out of your **** mind ? The last time Elvis ever appeared in front of a camara and you want to destroy it ? What image damage ? The Elvis haters would hate him even if he looked like he did in other years. Put it out on DVD 5.1 !!

Jefffirmin wrote on November 10, 2004

Elvis was/is THE cultural icon! No-one compares - no question! I have been a fan since I was 8 yrs old (I'm now 35) and so I've seen all sides of Elvis good and bad and accept it all. However, this footage, shows Elvis at his worst. Had the 1977 Special not been made then I am sure Elvis' image would have been in better shape than it is. It just gave thhose who wanted it the amunition they needed at a time when Elvis' image was everywhere and at a time that many people would remember, his death. These shows contain several good performances but overall are well below his best. If Elvis is looking down from above I'm sure he would prefer this footage to never be seen. I can't enjoy watching a man, particularly one who achieved so much, in such a desparate situation. Elvis deserves to be remembered for what he really was not for what he became at the end.

Ton Bruins wrote on November 12, 2004

Jefffirmin, And when you are ill or old nobody may see you ? Come on. He had more concerts below his best, remember that, but they didn't film it. That's the point. It's part of his legacy. He did great versions of Now Or Never, Trying To Get To You, You Gave Me A Mountain, Hurt, My Way, If You Love Me Let Me Know, Unchained Melody, etc. Don't deny it all happened; Elvis wouldn't...

ranskal wrote on November 13, 2004

I would love to see ungenerated footage of these shows as well. The quality in This is Elvis is great. In my opinion, these shows are a little rough to watch because of the state Elvis was in. There are a few gems that I like, such as Fairytale, My Way, and And I Love You So, but Elvis is obviously not in his best form for these shows. I do have to comment on something jorrit van der kooi said in regards to the Aloha show. I agree he was tense, but I don't think he was unhappy. I think the reason why he was tense was because he was nervous...I mean, only about 1/4 of the world was watching. He was so focused on the songs, and he put so much feeling into the songs. The Aloha is by far my favorite.

Bitebug2003 wrote on January 12, 2005

I think it stinks that whoever owns the rights to the 1977 concerts haven't released them yet. I can't speak for all fans, but as a fan since I was 5 who saw the CBS TV Special (on TV) in '77 and forgetting most of it, I'd love to see it again. I am sick of seeing the same ones over and over again (Aloha, Comeback, That's The Way It Is ect) I think 'Elvis In Concert' is as much a part of Elvis as all the rest of it. Yes, he looked dreadfully tired and ill, but most fans know that, so there should be an acceptance of the way he looked. In 'This is Elvis', Joe Esposito said the following: I whispered to Elvis to be careful stepping out to the stage. He was obviously way overweight and despite his age, only 42, we knew he was in bad health. Through all the years I knew him, Elvis had taken great care to always look his best in public. It was tough for him, but now Elvis accepted his appearance and so did his fans. It's the fans that count and it shows; tickets for those 3 concerts were sold out. So in my opinion these concert(s) should be released in their entirety.

Jefffirmin wrote on January 12, 2005

In addition to my earlier comments about not releasing the '77 concerts, the main reason is not that Elvis is overweight or is in bad health, those issues do not bother me at all in terms of whether the shows should be released. The only reason is that he's obviously very medicated, particularly in Omaha. Seeing him so obviosly stoned and thereby performing way below his best is not the way to remember the world's greatest entertainer. I can't think of any other performer that would even consider releasing material of themselves in such a condition, and if they did, the media and all but their devoted fans would jump all other them for it.

Jefffirmin wrote on January 12, 2005

Can you imagine Elvis in Concert being released now, with all the media attention Elvis is getting. The worst images available would appear in most of the tabloids along with various similarly toned stories, true or otherwise. Almost all of the hard work that has been done in creating a more positve image of Elvis over the past few years will be gone in a few weeks or months. As much as I admire and love Elvis I don't want any more reasons for image damage and let's face it, Elvis in Concert would be an easy target. Surely he's had more than enough of that already.

dbacke1 wrote on February 07, 2007

This should be re-released and in an improved format. It will be great!