TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

classicsoncall Sometimes it takes me a good long while to get on board with modern day celebrities and entertainers. I was never a fan of Elvis or the Beatles for example until well after the fact of their established careers. I don't know why that is, maybe it's just the perspective of passing years adding to their productivity and influence on other artists. This 1972 documentary film recorded Elvis Presley over the course of a fifteen city U.S. tour, remarkably done in a span of just as many days. In appearance, Presley is about midway between his early classic look as a hip swinging rock n' roller and the embarrassing spectacle of the overweight, over medicated singer who succumbed to his addiction some four years later. Unlike a number of other reviewers on this board, I didn't think he looked that good physically, although the performance and showmanship that went with the distinctive voice is on prominent display throughout. Backed by J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, Elvis mixes up his repertoire with rockabilly (Polk Salad Annie), heart throb material (Love Me Tender) and much to my satisfaction, some nice Gospel work (Jesus is the Light House and Lead Me, Guide Me). In between numbers, we get a look back stage at Elvis and his band members, and the gushing fans who can't believe they ever got to see him in person. I don't think "Elvis on Tour" is the definitive work one would rely on to get the full essence of the man and his music, but it's a well put together documentary over all and a satisfying look at the King of Rock and Roll.

kevin this documentary was excellent. it is the king at his finest. he comes onto the stage sings a brilliant see see rider with all the surge of electricity of his entrance then he bursts into an excellent Polk salad Annie and rocks the joint. then throughout the film he sings love songs and dramatic songs and more rock songs all with the rawness and power that is the king Elvis Presley! this documentary deserved the golden globe that it had won. it is a professional---yet raw and rocky performance by the king following him from his changing room to the stage and then off stage into his limo and then on to the next city. this film deserves a lot more than what it got in the ratings i would give it a 9/10 because it is not just a film---it is a film of the king of rock'n'roll doing what he does best!

MARIO GAUCI As indicated by the title, the film is a documentary – edited by Martin Scorsese! – showing highlights of Elvis Presley touring the USA (with much use of the then-trendy split-screen technique); interesting in itself, this also served as the iconic singer’s cinematic swan-song. Of course, his inflated appearance by this time – a far cry from his lean early years, seen intermittently throughout via stock footage – is rather sad to witness but, at least, he seemed to be in good spirits.We’re shown Elvis performing in front of several different hysterical audiences – at one point, even admitting to still getting stage fright before going on – but also get to see him relax with his backing musicians (generally by singing gospel songs). The musical numbers include very few of his hits (“Love Me Tender” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, while others like “That’s All Right”, “Mystery Train” and “Suspicious Minds” are only heard via original recordings) but there are two outstanding cover versions by The King of then-vintage rock classics – Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”! The great final line of the film – “Elvis has left the building” – spoken by the compere (and which I suppose was uttered during most of his shows from this era) clearly attests to Presley’s legendary status even when he was still alive; this is followed by an inspired last shot of Elvis in pensive but evidently happy mood. Incidentally, the film won the Golden Globe Award as the year’s Best Documentary Feature – but, then, didn’t even make the list of nominees at the Oscars!

Clark Richards I should stay on the fence for this one. I mean, it's always an either/or situation when it comes to Elvis Presley: either you subscribe to a fanatical worship of him, going so far as to calling him the King, or you attack him with a generous portion of cynicism, remarking more about his capes, kung fu and his weight than about his music. Well, for me, it's always about the music. His music is what lives on. And the music is what works best in this film. Being able to watch him rehearse with band mates while backstage was an amazing 'fly on the wall' experience. Elvis had a love for music that was inspiring, and as you can see on the film, even his band members shared in the love for music and were very much in awe of him and his musical abilities. I guess that's what I take away from the film most, his love for music, whether it's country, blues, gospel or rock and roll, Elvis loved music. It was also a great thrill to see his band working out through their first live rendition of 'Burning Love' or to hear his dramatic rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. These moments are definitive proof of Elvis' ability to captivate an audience, just stunning. However, I could have done without the cheesy '2001' intro, but you must remember, it was the 70's and who knows, you may get a perverse chuckle from hearing it. The 'Love Me Tender' film montage left me feeling sad in a number of ways. 1) In the clips we see Elvis as a young man, fit and charismatic, brimming over with so much promise. Then to cut back to see the current Elvis on stage in his capes. Just depressing.2) The film images for the montage were taken from all of those films he made when he should have been concentrating on his music. Ironicly, the films kept him from making great music for a long period of time. Given the choice, I would rather he made music instead of 'Girls Girls Girls' or 'Viva Las Vegas' or any movie. It almost gives credence to something that is said in the film, in a totally non related way, when a loud speaker declares, "The Elvis Presley Show is a complete sell out".All in all.....fans will loooooove the movie. People who can take or leave Elvis will deal with the movie and appreciate his talents, or at least they should. Those who are not fans will laugh at his costumes, his posse and his sides....hairy and otherwise. And you know, that's just not a good enough reason.Me? I guess I lean more towards the 'either'.7/10.Clark Richards