Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

bruce smirnoff Never understood his music, hated his movies and never even liked the mocking of him by the media. I went my whole life thinking this TILL one night (2003) this came on cable and I happened to watch it...Thank god I did, now I can't get enough!! I finally got it, he was perhaps the greatest entertainer of all time. (Non- band) They say before him only Jolson evoked that kind of energy during a live show. This film captures him at his best, the other live shows, (black leather, Hawaii, 50 shows 50 days) do not and can make a person cry when seeing what he did to himself and how tragic it all was. The way he always had time to shake hands and acknowledge other people is poignant, the film captures this and his kid-like affection to his buddies, and band-mates and back-up singers. I can watch it over and over and only love it more and more.

rbrb Make no mistake this film is compelling.It is a documentary.Set in 1970 with Elvis preparing for his forthcoming Los Vegas shows. There can be no doubt that he is one of the most sexually appealing and charismatic performers in history.Elvis is an Icon and what impresses me is that he had so much talent and that is revealed in this movie.Talented too are the band and backing singers and the others who aided his performances.The sexual chemistry which connected him to his fans is unparalleled in show business history and this movie shows why.8/10

Scarecrow-88 Turner Classics was celebrating what would've been Elvis' 75th birthday with a night of movies dedicated to his memory. I felt very fortunate to experience MGM's "Evlis:The Way It Is", a documentary detailing the back stage preparation, rehearsals, and eventual concert in Las Vegas. We have an opportunity to see who Elvis was during this moment in his career and life. While in complete control(..and the environment with all his musicians and singers is so warm and inviting), Elvis was engaging, commanding, playful, off-the-cuff(unpredictable), willing to experiment, and such a hard-worker. The inside look was quite exciting to me, an Elvis fan, and to see it restored, with added footage, containing the lengthly concert accompanying the off-stage activities was an absolute pleasure. His incredible charisma is so vivid, and having been born around the time of his death, it was nice to see him in such an athletic shape, and comfortable joy before all the bad stuff would eventually overwhelm him. When he enters the studio and mentions his gang of musicians as "his backbone", you can see why they loved and admired him so. Elvis cut up during the rehearsals and studio preparation, as well as times on stage while performing. It was amusing seeing the ladies, young and old, swept away, and just swooning as Elvis approached them for his customary smooch..and there were plenty ready for a kiss and hug. Oh, and to see him during rehearsals go from such a lively joker into a professional when it mattered most, was also quite enlightening, and we can see how the performer in him takes over. I consider Elvis the very definition of a performance artist. It's funny, as I was watching the concert, you could see older gentlemen scattered throughout at their tables almost lulled into a stooper while the women surrounding them were enthusiastic and absorbing every moment he's on stage..my kind of guy, The King will always be alive as long as his memory remains on celluloid. Maybe, those who aren't Elvis fans might find this a bit too lovingly a portrait, but for us who are, it's a fitting tribute to him at the peak of his power. Seeing back stage footage of Elvis greeting Cary Grant and Sammi Davis, Jr, was fabulous. His ability to perform at such a high level as he sweats profusely and loses wind, only to explode when need be is quite a testament to his stamina at this particular time(..which was before he'd balloon in weight and appear worse for wear later in years to come).

lisa-kevin3531 This is classic Presley during the peak of his all too short comeback. This was filmed mostly in Las Vegas before his emotional problems and drug abuse had taken their toll. His talents as a showman are evident throughout, and he has enough charisma and sexuality for ten men. For those of you not fortunate enough to see Elvis live, this is probably the next best thing. The special edition DVD eliminates the sometimes embarrassing fan comments of the original film and replaces them with additional performances and some extra backstage material, which is, after all, the main reason to see this movie. It's a shame Elvis wasted so many years in Hollywood making cut-rate films when he could have been performing live or at least producing quality movies like this. If you're just one of those people who knows Elvis simply because he is an icon who is an integral part of our society, then watch this film. Afterwards you'll see why they call him The King!