Review Graceland Tour DVD - 2008 written by Elvismatters.
The previous edition of the official Graceland tour DVD was produced in 2000.
Even in a house where nobody lives any more, things can change in eight year: time for a revamped version. We’ve watched this DVD in premiere and must say that it is an absolute must-have.
While the old release came out on one disc with a total running time of 60 min., we now have 2 discs with over 140 min. The quality of the footage is crystal clear and the soundtrack is mixed in the high quality 5.1 Dolby Digital format.
When we visit the music room, we hear a moving instrumental version of ‘How Great Thou Art’ and when the narrator tells about the passing of Elvis’ mother, we hear an emotional female voice humming ‘Amazing Grace’ through the back speakers.
The documentary starts with a technical gimmick: a collage of famous pictures are rendered in 3D so it looks like they are ‘moving’. It’s hard to explain in words, but the effect looks awesome!
Before we enter the mansion, there is some pre-history of Graceland and Elvis’ rise to stardom. The guided tour in the house is combined with footage from important moments in Elvis’ life.
When the front door closes behind us, the camera looks upstairs – the forbidden area for visitors. EPE is well aware that fans are anxious to know more about the second floor.
Eventually, we see a shot from the top of the stairs, ending at a closed door…what follows is a nice 3D animation of the second floor, made from the blue prints. We got a virtual look upstairs in all the rooms and learn about their function.
Each room that is open to the public is narrated in detail. We see different views from angles that you don’t have as a visitor. This gives us some interesting surprises: under the table in the dining room is a buzzer at Elvis seat, so he could call somebody from the kitchen in complete discretion. In one of the kitchen drawers, we get a look of the acts of Lisa-Marie as a child: she carved her name in the wood.
The items that are on the night stand next to Gladys bed are from her purse, at the time she passed away and the lamp above the pool table is broken from behind due to a ‘lost’ billiard bal. Such facts are spread all over the DVD, together with never before seen pictures of various interiors during the years.
After we have visited the mansion, we go back to the foyer to have a quick look at the rooms during Christmas time. We leave the house for a while for a brief overlook of the car museum and the two planes and go back to the trophy room and the racquetball building where we can see the complete second floor for the first time with the dressing room, Jacuzzi and bath room.
Whenever you bring a visit to the Meditation Garden, Elvis’ grave site is always covered with lots of flowers, cards and souvenirs. It’s a strange sight in these shots when you see that the lawn is completely empty and there is only one white rose on each grave.
The documentary ends with an overview of the activities around Graceland and Elvis after 1977 with emotional footage of the Candlelight Vigil.
The second disc contains over 60 min of bonus footage in 4 chapters.
Graceland in the Snow (15:24)
Footage from January 1958 with Graceland under a large coat of snow. This is the known footage of Elvis’ parents walking around in the snow and driving around in the pink Caddy. This time,the footage is complete.
A Fan’s Home Movies of Elvis (19:35)
Some of these shots are included on various DVDs (Elvis during horseback riding, talking with the fans at the gates …), but know collected in its total. The footage was shot by one fan and donated to Graceland. Filmed between 1968 and 1970.
‘Home from The Army’ Press Conference (16:04)
The famous press conference from March 7, 1960 when Elvis returned back from the army.
‘Graceland Archives’ (14:13)
Probably the most interesting item on this disc is this extended tour of the Graceland Archives by Angie Marchese, director of archives. In the past, we had some sneak peeks in this building, but it’s always interesting and fascinating to see the lady with the white gloves opening another box full of surprises.
Once again, this proves that there are still hundreds of documents and pictures in the archives that are never seen by fans. We can see the blue prints for a recording studio that was never build, the plan was cancelled and the racquetball building was build on the location.
Another large box is stuffed with items that the Presley’s took with them when they moved from Tupelo, we see a postcard from Vernon that he wrote to his wife and son when he was in jail. Probably each fan will want to take a look in the files with documents for the preparation of the august 1977 tour…the tour that never was…
The production of this DVD was the last project that Todd Morgan was working on before he passed away. This DVD is dedicated to his memory. With this item, Todd leaves a great legacy to all fans! An absolute must-have!
Format: Region Free
Language: English
Subtitles: English / Spanish / French / German / Nihongo
Discs: 2
Time: 140min
WOW!!!!
Now THIS sounds like the definitive Graceland tour DVD, and it is wonderful that the folks at EPE have listened to the fans and given us some in-depth information on the upstairs of the mansion! Of course, actually seeing the rooms would be the ultimate, but the whole 3-D virtual tour of the upstairs is probably the next best thing!!!
The archives chapter of disc 2 sounds FABULOUS as well!!! Definitely have to pick this one up ASAP!!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Fantastic..I used to own "Elvis Presleys' Graceland on VHS. Is it the same on the DVD with more added?
From the previews I have seen, I believe this is a completely new tour video John...totally different from Elvis Presley's Graceland.
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
I have Elvis Presley's Graceland on VHS I got from the last time I was at Graceland...think its time for an upgrade!!Originally Posted by Jungleroom76
From the previews I have seen, I believe this is a completely new tour video John...totally different from Elvis Presley's Graceland.
TCB!
Mike
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
ABSOLUTELY!!!I have Elvis Presley's Graceland on VHS I got from the last time I was at Graceland...think its time for an upgrade!!
I know the previous tour video was available on DVD but once I found out there was a new tour video in the works, I decided to hold off until the new one was released!!! It sounds FANTASTIC and I can't wait to grab a copy!!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Mike can you order this off of Shopelvis.com ?
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
So where's Elvis On Tour ?
Wonder how long we will be asking this question ?
It angers me to think such great footage MGM probably has bured somewhere in some vault in Kansas collecting dust because they are to lazy to put together an Elvis documentary, they think no one will buy it, or Elvis has no fans and thats FARRRRR from the truth. If they take the time and effort it could be a HUGE release just like the Aloha and 68 boxsets, if not better!!
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I keep thinking IF the re-release it, it will coincide with some milestone - like 35 yrs after his death, 80th birthday, something along those lines. It would give them maxium exposure to market it.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
8 MORE YEARS OF WAITING !!!
That is no good I'm affraid, just think the original Elvis fans from the 1950's those people aren't getting any younger and I think they should have the chance to see Elvis at the time he was on top form like on EOT.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I don't disagree with you. I was merely suggesting what would be a potential scenario.8 MORE YEARS OF WAITING !!!
That is no good I'm affraid, just think the original Elvis fans from the 1950's those people aren't getting any younger and I think they should have the chance to see Elvis at the time he was on top form like on EOT.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
I know buddy I was just saying
But the way its looking, your probably right
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
'buddy'? No. Try Ma'am.I know buddy I was just saying
But the way its looking, your probably right
Thanks.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
I apologize please don't take offense to that I didn't mean anything by it, you never know who is behinde those avators.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
It wasn't That funny Rossie
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I know what you mean. I could be Brad Pitt or Cher as far as anyone knows. But no offense taken.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
Okay thats good
Back on topic, if they ever do give us a deluxe dvd set with all EOT material, I hope we have all the complete shows they filmed. I'm still praying that we will get the April 5th 1972 concert from Buffalo as we know Robert Abel filmed it with his hand held camera and we know there is professional footage as we see during the karate sequence on the movie This Is Elvis so the rest must be out there somewhere.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
anyways back to graceland tour, this is something l really would love to get my hands on. sounds really interesting.
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