Whether you are a long time Elvis fan, or just interested in the music and showmanship of the King of Entertainers, this is a nice collection! Filmed in 1970, backstage, on stage, during rehearsals and with a wealth of celebrities in attendance, these performances are from a time many consider to be at the height of Elvis’s career.
In the summer of 1970, a slim strong-voiced Elvis performed a live show for four weeks at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The result was that the world fell in love again with Elvis and his music. He gave his fans the show of a lifetime in these performances, including songs from his beginnings such as All Shook Up, and Hound Dog, all the way to his final #1 hit Suspicious Minds.
Mixed with the stage numbers are footage of rehearsals, on-stage ad libs, and moments that are simply Elvis lore. First released in theaters in 1970, this feature was re-released with special additions in 2001.
The DVD is a two disc set, with an accompanying art photo booklet composed of images from the time.
Disc one is the 2001 re-release of the feature and includes Restoration Featurette Patch it Up:
The Restoration of Elvis:
Presley Career Highlights:
Director/Restorer Filmographies and Theatrical Trailer.
Running time is 96 minutes, and there are English and French subtitles available.
The opening credits inform the viewer that footage that was not used in the final film of 1970’s is now available in this disc. An exciting prospect!
Disc Two is the 1970 Original Theatrical Version, and has a “Dozen Never-Seen Outtake Songs/Non musical sequences. Running time for this disc is 108 minutes with English and French subtitles available for the feature.
This feature film is still great fun. Originally, it was interesting and a novelty to see a performer of Elvis’s caliber in rehearsals and as a confident showman, and real person. Now, it is great to see how the music is still familiar, is holding up well in the 21st century, and that Elvis’s performances continue to work a kind of magic on the viewer. Not only of interest because of the performer and the music, this film is a time capsule, of styles, attitudes, pleasures and problems of the time.
Bright patterned polyester shirts, amazing Afro hair do’s and my gosh, Elvis’s incredible sideburns vie for attention along side music, and stories, jokes and unforgettable moments. Fans didn’t have internet, DVD’s or videos to watch in those days, they had feature films such as Elvis - That's the Way It Is (Two-Disc Special Edition) to bring their favorite performers to life.
Elvis: That's The Way It Is (2007 DVD)
By June L. / Monstersandcritics.com, September 07, 2007 | Video
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FJE wrote on
September 07, 2007
Though I already had both versions on DVD I purchased this 2-Disc set in the hope of having a much better picture and audio quality on the original 1970 version. Unfortunately I was dissapointed because no improvement was made. The picture is awfully grainy, especially in the dark parts, which is often during the live segments. The audio is in mono!So what I gained was a few never-before-released segments (all 5 mins of them!). Oh how I long to have a picture and audio perfect rendition of I Just Can't Help Believing, to name just one. Oh well, maybe for the 40th Anniversary!
Santa Claus wrote on
September 07, 2007
The sound is so poor you have to turn your TVs volume-level to it's peak to get an acceptable loudness. The picture is poorer than the U.S. release of the original version. The outtakes are in poorer quality than the version I've downloaded from the internet. There is also no pictureflow on the DVD as the outtakes seems to 'hang' from time to time. As if only any 3rd pictureframe is available. So it seems even the world famous MGM company downloaded the "bonuses" from the internet, just like I did. But I got 24 hours of that stuff and a downloadsource 2 generations before MGMm's :-). This DVD is a slap in the face of every Elvis-fan. This is highway robbery by MGM.
jenko wrote on
September 07, 2007
like i said before mgm should look at what epe done with the 68 and 73 dvds and be ashamed!
byebye wrote on
September 07, 2007
Sounds bad based on the verdict from you guys. It´s a shame, cause I was really looking forward for a good original version of TWII on DVD. My impression (as I have stated earlier) is that these release lack heart and respect towards Elvis from Warner. It seems they were made with carelessness. "Mono" says it all.......
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on
September 07, 2007
Now do you think these same people will really give you a Delux ON Tour set?
king al wrote on
September 07, 2007
Yes, the quality isn't good. But I think that it's good, that MGM has made these material available.
FJE wrote on
September 07, 2007
Why do you guys keep blaming MGM? These are all Warner Bros. releases who have acquired the rights to all MGM films. Not that MGM would have done a better job mind you, but this time we should direct critism at Warner. But do they care?!
Steve V wrote on
September 07, 2007
This release of TTWII is a disgrace for a 2007 DVD release, but it is even more disgraceful that it came in light of the 30th Anniversary. A real slap in the face to Elvis and his fans. The VHS version was better because at least we didnt expect DVD like quality.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on
September 07, 2007
So your saying mgm will come out with On Tour therself and do a better job? And the feeling that well im just glad they released it is something i dont understand,would they do this with a another classic artist? As i and many other have said, its total disrespect to Us fans and Elvis,when your vhs copy sound better than your dvd,something is wrong,so why didnt mgm do something with there own tapes? or do they no longer own the rights at all?
ttwiise wrote on
September 08, 2007
I agree wholeheartedly, this is a complete rip off Mono sound on the original movie (I ask you!) The out-takes are of poor quality not in 16:9 there is sound interference on Stranger in the crowd and Little sister has been chopped to bits in order to erase the get back medley!! Utter Rubbish
JerryNodak wrote on
September 09, 2007
What upsets me isn't the quality (or lack thereof) depending on your perspective. What upsets me is that I have to pay for a 2-disc set in order to get the original movie on DVD which is all I'm interested in.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on
September 09, 2007
Ive not even bothered to buy it,i didnt expect much and i wasnt surprised one bit to see the comments on this so called product,sounds like a 5 dollar dvd at best,they put it in a set for one reason only to get you to buy what you already have,they take Elvis fans as some kind of bufoons!
Andries wrote on
September 21, 2007
The sound interference on Stranger in the crowd appears to be from the "after the show party", which has some silent bits. A real pity that this song was treated that way by MGM. But at least we have Stranger in the crowd (after the party mix).