Simply A Masterpiece

Good concept, poorly executed.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Elvis back from the brink. After years of increasingly mediocre movies and records, Elvis pulled himself together and appeared in this US TV special and reminded all the hipster crowd who'd moved onto the Beatles, Dylan, Stones, Doors et al just who was still the coolest cat in town.Looking lean and singing mean, the King gets back to his rock and roll and gospel roots in fine style. The show centres really around his recent minor hit record, the excellent, underrated Jerry Reed-written "Guitar Man", but breaks early on for the show's most celebrated sequence as Elvis pours himself into a black leather jump-suit and kicks back with his band in a succession of rock and roll classics. There's also intercut footage of him on the same small stage sans-band rocking out on his early classics "Don't Be Cruel", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Blue Suede Shoes". Perhaps he sings a little too hard at some of these junctures and I could have done without the onstage Memphis Mafia's sycophantic exhortations but in truth he's in great voice and performs with complete confidence.The show then moves to the "Guitar Man" fantasy sequences which unfortunately see less screen time for Elvis at the expense of the slickly choreographed but very un-rock and roll young dancers, the only excuse for their participation which I can see is to either give Elvis or rest and/or time for a costume change. In fact he acts out these mini-sequences with more conviction than in his latter- day movies - earlier on he even cracks a self-deprecating joke about his 29 Hollywood features. The finale is a no-holds-barred version of his then current hit, the big-message song "If I Can Dream", where garbed all in Southern Gentleman white, he looks great against a giant backdrop of just his name.It's not all perfect, like I said the film sequences go on a bit, some of the arrangements are already heading for Vegas and I don't care much for the sentimental song "Memories" which he sings here and which became a "meet and greet" staple at his future shows, but in truth this is a magnetic, knockout performance by Elvis before his manager Colonel Tom Parker sent him to Vegas, where he bigged up on burgers and drugs, losing his shape, then his voice and sadly, in the end, his life.Remember him like this, not the shambling overweight figure who later had to be propped up on stage, read from a lyric sheet and muck up his own songs.

After a sort of video performance, this television special opens with a short montage of Elvis performing several of his songs. This immediately has the effect of reminding us why Elvis continues to be famous to this day. This continues with song after song that are well loved and/or very enjoyable. Although I'm sure people don't like his music (and they won't be watching anyway) this show is likely to be enjoyed by those who only listen to Elvis when he occasionally comes onto radio 2.The set-up was a bit strange at first as we start with Elvis on a small stage at a low level with a small audience sitting all around him and for me he didn't seem to connect with them at all. This wasn't helped by the fact that, at the start of each song we get a roar of recognition from the crowd but yet looking at the audience all they seem to be doing is politely clapping. This gets less of a problem as the show goes on for several reasons. Firstly the lights get dipped and the stage gets a bit more cluttered with people Secondly Elvis himself starts to have fun and do more than just sing. He jokes with his band and takes the mick out of himself a bit to good effect. This makes it easy to like him and makes him more of a person – which doesn't sound lie much until you think of the mythical status that he seems to hold now, it is fun to see him messing around like a performer.Overall then, those that hate Elvis for the sake of it will not enjoy this however it is a strong enough show to appeal to fans and the casual listener. Aside from some minor issues associated with this being a television production, the music is strong and the performance very good. Watch it to understand what all the fuss was/is about.

The voice. The energy. The moves. The look. The charm. The attitude. The humor. The rawness and realness. To many people this show has represented Elvis Presley at his very best! Although having been away from live audiences since his last performance in 1961 he proved here that he still had it! Looking as good as ever and joking around with good friends and old songs, this is a very good little piece of TV history. Even featuring an "Unplugged" concert. Long before MTV started with the idea. For full pleasure and perfect picture and sound of this fantastic special, you have to check out "ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL DELUXE EDITION DVD". It's packed with extra features and a lot of laughs!Highly recommended!

"Mah man, mah man," he says while prowling about after one song. Black leather, lean and singing great. Elvis was the greatest, no one can touch him not even close. What he had came from the inside out, just a gut instict performer with a lifetime of showmanship skill. This is one of my favorite videos. If I find it on DVD, it's mine!