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Reviewed by Steve Rogers
Film:	B
Video Quality:	B-
Audio Quality:	A-
Special Features:	C
DVD Review:	B-

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing, Warner Home Video has remastered and released all 33 of Presley's feature films, some of them for the first time on DVD and others in deluxe special editions. Unfortunately for me however, Elvis was never really about the movies. The majority were formulaic and embarrassing, with little to recommend them save an occasional quality music track. If Hollywood's goal was to neuter the raw talent of Presley's magnetic '50s rock 'n roller, then I'd say they pretty much succeeded. By 1968, Presley was considered a virtual has-been, reduced to a buffoonish shadow of his former self. But his now legendary 1968 TV comeback special, and a return the following year to recording and performing, put Elvis back on track and he began cranking out some of the best R&B oriented pop and rock tunes of his career.

Elvis: That's the Way It Is documented an engagement at the Las Vegas International Hotel in August of 1970. Backed by his top-notch band, featuring the inimitable guitarist James Burton, the film chronicled Elvis during rehearsals and performing on stage over the course of six shows. Elvis never looked or sounded better, barnstorming through each number with a manic intensity and irresistible charisma.

In 2001 a re-edited version of the film was released that basically eliminated all the fan interviews, substituting additional concert footage with a new stylized look, including multiple fades and different angle shots to enhance the concert experience. The 2007 re-issue combines both in one package. It's hard to pick a favorite among the two, but the Elvis fanatics still amuse me as the filmmakers seemed to go out of their way to up the geek quotient, capturing interviews with some of the creepiest Elvis fans I've ever seen.

But forget the geeks and glitzy hoopla that surrounded Elvis. That's The Way It Is showcases the man's extraordinary performing talents, with dynamic concert footage that leaves no doubt how one man could change the face of popular music and culture forever.

Video Quality

Disc 1 includes the 2001 Special Edition version, while Disc 2 provides the 1970 original theatrical version. Both films are presented in 2.35:1 and enhanced for widescreen televisions. While the theatrical version offers up a decent video transfer with above average image detail and picture clarity, the special edition is downright stunning, the widescreen image accentuating the attendant grandeur and drama of Elvis on stage. Colors are bright and lifelike and are rendered in vivid detail. Unfortunately this transfer is marred by the insertion of newer footage that’s noticeably grainy with desaturated color.

Audio Quality

First the bad news: The theatrical version offers only a mono soundtrack and it's pretty limp. You've got to really crank the volume to get anything out of it. Originally filmed in 4-track stereo, I'm not really sure why Warners chose not to remaster it and provide the stereo track. I'll chalk it up to the fact that the theatrical version appears to be included as an add-on special feature. Luckily the 2001 edition makes fantastic use of the 5.1 Dolby Digital surround track, and the music sounds spectacular. The discovery of the original 16-track audio tapes allowed special edition producer Rick Schmidlin a chance to really reproduce the show's musical soundstage. Jerry Scheff's bass really pops and Ronnie Tutt's pounding of the drum kit is literally palpable. Even less compelling hits like "The Wonder Of You" sound better on this disc.

Special Features

Warners recycles the skimpy special features from the 2001 Special Edition that includes a brief featurette on the restoration of the film, biographical highlights and filmography, and the original trailer. Disc 2 promises a dozen never seen outtakes, but they were a disappointment with grainy, choppy video quality and muffled audio that cuts in and out. A clip of Elvis in animated conversation with Cary Grant and Sammy Davis, Jr. at a backstage party is mute. (Luckily the clip, with sound, shows up on Disc 1.) It also appeared to me that about half of the "never seen" outtakes had been seen earlier on this same disc. There's also a 24-page photo booklet, not exactly a keeper.

Summary

Elvis: That's The Way It Is captured Elvis at the peak of his powers, doing what he did best - performing. It's still a treat to watch him in full regalia as he stalks the stage in his white, fringed buckskins and roars through classics like "That's All Right, Mama" and "Suspicious Minds". While this two-disc edition serves up inconsistent audio and video quality, with paltry special features, it's a great chance to see The King relaxed and in his element, joking and jamming with friends and band members. This is Elvis as he was meant to be seen and heard.