This Is Elvis

[Blue-Gypsy]

I guess all of you guys have heard by now that TIE is being released on DVD. I consider this great news on 2 counts.

1. I am just glad to have this on legitimate DVD
2. It would be just as easy to release EOT in this format but it hasn't happened which tells me there is a little more in store for this release than just your typical quarterly release of Elvis DVDs.

Lets Hope & Pray!
Tony

[sam]

Lets Hope & Pray!
Tony

I've been doing that for a long time LOL.

With a bit of luck with This Is Elvis and The "68 TV special and Aloha, coming out, things are starting to change. I hope so!!!



:lol:

[Albert]

I agree on being happy on those two points :lol:


But I also hope that that documentary has been reworked. I mean, that one was shot in (I believe) 1981? Much more unique footage and information has been found since then. It would be great if "This Is Elvis" would feature some of this.

Next stop: Elvis On Tour

About On Tour: I wouldnt mind if they release every recorded show as a DVD and also the On Tour special as one. Milk that cow baby (First time I will be happy that BMG/Warner would be doing so :D)

[3577]

I agree on being happy on those two points   :lol:  


But I also hope that that documentary has been reworked. I mean, that one was shot in (I believe) 1981? Much more unique footage and information has been found since then. It would be great if "This Is Elvis" would feature some of this.

Next stop: Elvis On Tour  

About On Tour: I wouldnt mind if they release every recorded show as a DVD and also the On Tour special as one. Milk that cow baby (First time I will be happy that BMG/Warner would be doing so  :D)

I think this will not happen, to rework This Is Elvis. It is not the kind of movie for the general public.

[Albert]

O well..... still happy though that it will be released on DVD :P

It still is one of my alltime favourite Elvis documentaries. I even kinda like the "Elvis speaks out of Heaven" voice over :oops:

[sam]

With the DVD features that are possible they should have a jukebox section where you can watch the songs without the voice over.

8)

[NightRider]

It will be great just to have it on DVD. But i still hope it will be an extended version. They cut a fair bit out of the original.

I agree sam, being able to play the tracks without the voice overs would be an added bonus indeed.

Maybe a cd version will be made available - that maybe asking too much though.

As for it not being a movie for the general public i disagree. I know a few people who have watched this is elvis and enjoyed it - without actually being fans at the time. In one case in particular - it helped as he is now a fan and is buying whatever he can get his hands on. :D

[3577]

O well..... still happy though that it will be released on DVD   :P  

It still is one of my alltime favourite Elvis documentaries. I even kinda like the "Elvis speaks out of Heaven" voice over   :oops:

Im happy too. It took a long time. With the new versions of 68 Comeback and Aloha and now This is Elvis, we still miss two essential dvd releases: On Tour & CBS TV Special. And for those who are against a possible release from a CBS dvd, if you can't see Elvis in that shape(wich i think is sometimes exaggerated), dont buy it.

[Albert]

I have 2 versions of Unchained Melody (recorded for the CBS Special), so there must be more angles available from what have been filmed by the CBS Crew. So when you take the best angles, cut some weird dialogues from Elvis out of it and forget about the small pieces of fans talking, you can make a fantastic CBS Special.

This special can be made into something really great.

[NightRider]

The CBS Special is another that i want on DVD.
I have a couple of versions on VCD, but in as good a quality as i would like :(

[WildStyle]

I just don't like the guy they had playing 50's/60's Elvis. His hair was all wrong and he looked and sounded nothing like E. What's up with them having E singing Mystery Train to his class? I somehow doubt that actually took place lol.

It's still a great movie though.

[WildStyle]

Oh yeah, that guy that little E and his friend went to see play the blues is great. Gotta love those guitar skills lol.

[Jungleroom76]

Quick question...

How "extended" is the "extended version" of THIS IS ELVIS??

I have the original video from Warner Bros. from the 80's, and that video alone is around 2 1/2 hours long. Is there an even longer version available, or is that the one that they mean by "extended version"?

TCB!
Mike

[londonflash]

I can't wait to get my hands on this! I've recorded it off the tv a few times, but with dvd you get better quality and you can scan out the crap...ie the bits wher they have shoddy actors, eh Wildstyle? :D

[Lonniebealestreet]

I'm very excited about this one too. It should be great! Extras would certainly be a plus, but even if we don't get any, just having the original movie in great picture and sound will be fantastic. :D

[Sonny]

The 2 1/2 hour version is probaly the extented version. However, those video releases differ from the theatrical release in 81.

Are You Lonesome Tonight (perhaps not one of his most flattering moments) was cut and replaced by a mediocre version of Love Me.

Some dialogues that were considered XXX material were overdubbed as I recall... I'm thinking about the "The girl I was with last night" dialogue.

It would be nice to get the extended version, but without those overdubs and with Lonesome Tonight, how bad it may seem to some people.

O yeah, this comes to mind while I'm typing: why include footage of an actor inside the hospital where Gladys past away? Just show Elvis goin' inside and cut it...

Sonny

[Lonniebealestreet]

Right on, Sonny.

The theatrical version should definitely be what we get. I've seen that theatrical version aired on TV and not the video release, but I found that out too late. :x So I've seen those great unedited moments, but only once, and obviously don't own a copy.

Personally I find the flubbed version of Are You Lonesome Tonight to make for better viewing than that Omaha performance of Love Me.

I like your other suggestion about the portrayal of Gladys's passing as well.

[Hav-A-Tampa]

Seeing "This Is Elvis" in the cinemas back in ?81 (I think I went about ten times!) is one of my strongest Elvis memories. Of course, I was only 12 then, and didn?t have any videos and had only seen "Fun In Acapulco", "Blue Hawaii" and "Elvis In Concert" on TV... So I?m looking forward to the DVD release.

I really hope the DVD won?t include that awful version of "Love Me" from Omaha! Can?t understand why they ever chose a clip from Omaha to replace "Lonesome" with... When there are a number of good songs available from Rapid City. "Trying To Get To You" would have been fantastic. It?s kind of ironic; in the movie Joe Esposito is talking about how fantastic Elvis?s voice still was at the end... Elvis comes out... and sings one of the worst ever versions of "Love Me"!

[Albert]

....

I really hope the DVD won?t include that awful version of "Love Me" from Omaha! Can?t understand why they ever chose a clip from Omaha to replace "Lonesome" with... When there are a number of good songs available from Rapid City. "Trying To Get To You" would have been fantastic. It?s kind of ironic; in the movie Joe Esposito is talking about how fantastic Elvis?s voice still was at the end... Elvis comes out... and sings one of the worst ever versions of "Love Me"!

You're right, that part didn't make sense at all :P

Recently I watched the DVD version of He Touched Me, and there was a track on it from "The CBS Special". Man, the quality was amazing. Seeing that left me wanting more, MORE of the CBS special in DVD quality.

It really pisses me of (pardon my French) when I see music DVD's from local bands, unknown artists and golden-days artists (like Roy Orbison), but can find any decent DVD from Elvis (besides TTWII). How come those artists and bands can release great musicvideos (at good prices), while The King has only a few?

[WildStyle]

I always found Elvis' dialogue in "Are You Lonesesome Tonight" to be quite humerous. I have only ever seen the shortened TV version and the video version. I wasn't aware there was also a cinema version.

[Jungleroom76]

Thanks Sonny for the info.!! :)

I've seen both versions, with ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT and the XXX dialogue (the cable TV channel Cinemax aired that version a few times years ago), and then of course I have the video version with the overdubbed dialogue and LOVE ME.

Perhaps the DVD will have even more footage on it?? Could we hope....??

Regardless of whether it has new footage or not, I will be definitely purchasing this one! I love the movie, and I think it was extremely well done! I just hate having to fast forward through my video to find a particular clip or something that I want to see!

SO BRING ON THE DVD!! :lol:

TCB!
Mike

[likethebike]

I suspect that the extended release will be that 2 and a half hour version which was pretty great.

I find the comment that "This is Elvis" is not for the general public interesting as I have always taken it as Elvis for beginners. By the way if you can get one of Roger Ebert's old film guides, you can read the 3 1/2 star (of four) review he gives the movie.

My problem with the movie is that the narration is often clumsily handled and that nearly all of the dramatic recreations, save perhaps Elvis in Tupelo are dubious. But, they help retain the dramatic arc of the film better than stills. I'm also not crazy about the overdubs on some recordings. To me these are completely unnecessary.

Still though for a clip fest it's about as lively as you can get. Despite its flaws, it engages you in a way that "The Great Performances" never really does. It gives you almost a real movie feeling in its best moments and really gives you a sense of who Elvis was and why he was important. And the commentary, although strained, combined with the clips does give the perspective of going through it all with Elvis. I think Elvis would have loved the "Too Much Monkey Business" movie montage. It's hilarious.

The movie's ending is unbearably sad. I also like the way the producers capture Elvis' final triumph at the end with the clip of maybe the best ever performance of "American Trilogy". Elvis hits that note at the end, the crowd goes wild and he gives that little smile showing genuine pleasure and amazement. It really shows the beauty of Elvis the performer and how much of that comes from the man himself and his fans.

I look forward to the DVD. Hope it's released in the US.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Right on--on every point!

[Scatter]

At the time it was great to see all of those never before seen clips! It was like Christmas and Birthdays all at once!

I just hate the narration of the film. Can't stand the guy's voice pretending to be Elvis. The bit when he says: "If only I could have seen what was happening to me, maybe I could have done something about it" is extremely annoying.

I spend half of my time skipping the reconstruction and muting the sound, only to up the sound for the real Elvis parts. So the DVD would be very welcome, if only to save my worn out tape!

I agree, there could have been tons more stuff they could have used from 1977. I've no idea why they used 'Love Me', as the mic has just about given up and Elvis appears to be struggling, especially when he reaches for the soft toy. He seems in pain, or something. Not a good performance.

Whereas you have really good performances from Rapid City, which were left on the shelf.

[spinout-designs]

I suspect that the extended release will be that 2 and a half hour version which was pretty great.  

I find the comment that "This is Elvis" is not for the general public interesting as I have always taken it as Elvis for beginners. By the way if you can get one of Roger Ebert's old film guides, you can read the 3 1/2 star (of four) review he gives the movie.  

My problem with the movie is that the narration is often clumsily handled and that nearly all of the dramatic recreations, save perhaps Elvis in Tupelo are dubious. But, they help retain the dramatic arc of the film better than stills. I'm also not crazy about the overdubs on some recordings. To me these are completely unnecessary.  

Still though for a clip fest it's about as lively as you can get. Despite its flaws, it engages you in a way that "The Great Performances" never really does. It gives you almost a real movie feeling in its best moments and really gives you a sense of who Elvis was and why he was important. And the commentary, although strained, combined with the clips does give the perspective of going through it all with Elvis. I think Elvis would have loved the "Too Much Monkey Business" movie montage. It's hilarious.  

The movie's ending is unbearably sad. I also like the way the producers capture Elvis' final triumph at the end with the clip of maybe the best ever performance of "American Trilogy". Elvis hits that note at the end, the crowd goes wild and he gives that little smile showing genuine pleasure and amazement. It really shows the beauty of Elvis the performer and how much of that comes from the man himself and his fans.  

I look forward to the DVD. Hope it's released in the US.



Good overview likethebike !

This Is Elvis isn't without it's flaws, but for all that it still works pretty well.

It is still the source of material which some 20 + years later is unavailable elsewhere (particularly the extended version).

Some of the 77 footage choices are, as has been mentioned, questionable to say the least in view of the footage they could have pooled from.

Somewhat disapointing (as with Elvis releases generally ) is you need both versions (TV and extended) to have everything that was included. (although I do have both versions)

As a whole though it flows nicely, is a good overview for anyone just discovering Elvis and, for the hardcore fan, is still indispensable due to the unique clips it contains (New Gladiators footage, alternate Aloha angles, candid film etc).

Something for everybody !

[rick]

Here's an easy release for `extras' make it the cinema and TV versions
rick

[jbgude]

I MAY be able to arrange a few copies of the VCD "This is Elvis" from India which has the xxx dialogue and the "Are you lonesome tonite" clip, this is the extended version of the movie.The sound quality aint that great -but the price is right: Cost about USA $6 plus postage:(should be around $3) I am not sure.Check out the elvisnews.com site for the Picture of the cover etc.

Please note that I am NOT in India and will have to ask a friend if he can do this for us. Elvis VCDs normally do not get a second pressing -and most of the "English movies"

PM me if you are interested.

jb