TheLittleSongbird Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. 'Elvis: That's the Way It Is' is an acclaimed documentary film for good reason, and better than all of his films he made during the mid-50s-late-60s.His film career was highly variable as an overall film career with some good ones ('King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Jailhouse Rock', Viva Las Vegas' and 'Loving You'), some decent ones (most of his late-50s-early 60s efforts), some mediocre ones (some of his 1962-1964 efforts and almost all his films after 'Stay Away Joe') and some bad ones ('Harum Scarum', 'Stay Away Joe', 'Frankie & Johnny', 'Paradise Hawaiian Style', 'Easy Come Easy Go', 'Double Trouble', 'Kissin' Cousins' and 'Clambake'). Elvis' performances in them ranged from good, great even in a few, to clearly disinterested and embarrassed (and regarding some of his later films who could blame him).Both his 1970s documentaries are well worth seeing, with 'That's the Way It Is' being the better and more consistent of the two'. Both are on the same level of his best films, even better actually, and significantly better than most of them. Simply put, for fans of the justly named The King of Rock and Roll, 'Elvis On Tour' is unmissable and both entertaining and fascinating, and even non-fans may find themselves converted. It's cohesively shot and edited (with the involvement of none other than acclaimed director Martin Scorsese early on in his career), where one gets to properly know Elvis, the band and the audience.Unlike 'That's the Way It Is', 'Elvis on Tour' isn't perfect. Some of the lighting is dim, and as many of the other commentators have said while at times affectionate and candid the behind the scenes stuff doesn't fare as well as the concert footage, being not exactly illuminating and revealing little about Elvis himself or what we don't know already.With Elvis himself, he doesn't look as great as 'That's the Way It Is' (though he did look worse), but he sounds fantastic and looks like a natural on stage with immense energy and real connection to the music. There is a real sense of atmosphere without being over-the-top.The quality of the music can't be faulted either, with a mix of his greatest and iconic hits and his newer music. No forgettable at best ones here, disposable ones and no career-low ones either. It's all brilliantly performed all round.Overall, entertaining and fascinating if not without its flaws. 8/10 Bethany Cox

trotsky10 Strangely, though being an Elvis fan, I find myself not entirely agreeing with most of the comments here.I have never found this movie endearing. Elvis looks a bit overweight though I think a lot has to do with his hair and burns being too long. I find the concert footage being way over lit making the complexion of Elvis seem a bit pale which I don't believe he was as the other footage including backstage footage he looks browner.The sound also doesn't seem that good most of the time and the singing I find middle the road.Kudos to the Gloden Globe but for me I find 'That's the way it is' being the best ever concert movie and the Aloha concert being second in terms of both quality and the look and sound of Presley.

nancyann56 Elvis explodes on screen. What was it like to tour with Elvis? This film will show you. A lot has been made about Elvis's appearance and weight in this movie. It does seem when Elvis is in the white jumpsuit he looks more trim, in face and body. Why more of the performances from the concert he wore this suit in were not used is a mystery. He seems puffy and the lighting is not good in a lot of the concert shots that were used(mainly Hampton Roads performances)Still pictures from this era show him much trimmer than this film shows. Vocally he gives varied performances from gospel, to rock, to country. His vocal range is shown to be vast when compared with many other pop and rock singers. His old hits are now done to give the fans what they want, but the songs that he pours his heart into are the gospel and the newer songs he has added. Burning Love was not even out when this documentary was being filmed and its a treat to see him do it fresh. Creedances Proud Mary is another he seems to love. The split screen was a new rage in this type of music film and it can be distracting. If you like Elvis this film is for you.

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