Elvis: The Comeback Special

2018
8.9| 0h50m| en
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After years of diminishing returns on the big screen, Elvis gets back to his roots on television, and turns in one of the greatest performances of his career.

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Reviews

Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.
Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Tashtago The first time I saw this I was blown away. First I didn't know Elvis could play the guitar! Because on t.v. he always played acoustic and you could never hear him. Here he plays electric in the jam session and has a fantastic blues feel. If you have no idea why Elvis was not a joke but a genuinely great performer this would be a good place to start. What amazes me is how raw the performance is. It was a very very inspired idea to have him just jam in a very loose setting with his friends and fellow musicians. I love the banter and the relaxed feeling. Its as if you've happened to come to a party where Elvis and some friends are playing some music. Unique then and unique (in the era of You Tube and MTV) now.
Jim Colyer Elvis' manager wanted a Christmas Special. Producer Steve Binder saw this as a chance to resurrect Elvis' career. Fortunately, he won out. Elvis appeared in a leather suit singing a medley of the songs which made him famous. He did an unplugged bit surrounded by his cronies and a lot of pretty girls. He talked about changes in music over the previous decade. Interestingly he referred to the Byrds as The Beards. He did it on purpose. No mistake. It is notable that later renditions of 1950s rock 'n' roll hits never approached the excitement of the original records. Love Me Tender, however, stands the test of time, simple and to the point. If I Can Dream makes a strong finale.
val321 Recently purchased the deluxe box set of Elvis' 68 Comeback Special and must say there are not enough superlatives to describe it's magnificence as a quality piece of Elvis history, and contemporary music history. Elvis, simply put is Elvis at his best, loose, playful, sizzling, simmering and engaging. That's not to mention the stellar performance. His voice is strong, his moves magic and he has never played the guitar so passionately and vigorously. The performance engages from the opening lines of "If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place," through the playful musical nuances and partying of Good Lawdy Miss Clawdy, to the memorable closing performance of "If I Can Dream." This is musical entertainment at it's best. Some of the production numbers are less entertaining than the concert performances, but demonstrate an important part of Elvis' legacy. He is having a great time. Watching it, nearly 40 years later, you will too. Just when the world thought Elvis has left the stage, once again he demonstrates why he is still rock n roll's King. No one can hold a candle to this.
Michael O'Keefe After much convincing, Elvis Presley does something about his career teetering on the brink of stagnation. During the last week of June 1968, the man who almost single handedly led a musical revolution in the mid '50s made use of "Western Recorders" and the "NBC Studios", Burbank, California to put on tape a TV special. The Elvis NBC Special came to be known as "The '68 Comeback Special". It was originally aired on the night of Dec 3, 1968 and slaughtered the competition: 'The Red Skelton Show', 'It Takes a Thief' and 'The Doris Day Show'. Made up of production numbers and mini-concerts in front of live audiences, this TV special afforded a lost man to find his way home. Elvis Presley was back and once again his career would regain meteoric flight.Producer/director Steve Binder would be swamped with accolades. NBC took the chance and came out looking like a champ. Elvis' fan base would swell. The lp "Elvis(TV Special)" would rapidly peak at #8 on the Billboard Top Albums chart. This 76 minute video is highlighted with a Gospel Medley, the Guitar Man Medley, and songs like 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy','Jailhouse Rock', 'Tiger Man', 'One Night', 'Memories' and the great finale number, 'If I Can Dream'. Even non Elvis fans will appreciate watching this. In a way it is like watching musical history...hell it is musical history.