Elvis (1968) (TV)

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Directors:

Steve Binder
Gary Hovey

Writers:

Chris Bearde (writer)
Allan Blye (writer)

Release Date:

27 November 1993 (Finland)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

Elvis: '68 Comeback

Plot Keywords:

Rock Music | Concert Film

Cast

Elvis Presley	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Buddy Arett	...	Himself
Barbara Burgess	...	Girl with 'Big Boss Man'
D.J. Fontana	...	Himself (drummer)
Alan Fortas	...	Himself
Susan Henning	...	Blonde Girl
Charlie Hodge	...	Himself (guitarist)
Fanita James	...	Herself (Blossoms)
Jean King	...	Herself (Blossoms)
Lance LeGault	...	Himself
Tanya Lemani	...	Belly Dancer
Darlene Love	...	Herself (Blossoms)
Scotty Moore	...	Himself (guitarist)
Christopher Riordan	...	Dancer
Jaime Rogers	...	Himself
Jim Taylor	...	Dancer
Claude Thompson	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Elvis' '68 Comeback Special (USA) (informal title)
Elvis: '68 Comeback Special (International: English title) (promotional title)
Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - Deluxe Edition (USA) (DVD box title)
Elvis: NBC-TV Special (USA) (promotional title)
Singer Presents Elvis (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

USA:50 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:G | Finland:K-3

Filming Locations:

Stage 1, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Binder/Howe Productions

Trivia:

Elvis was paid $250,000.

Quotes:

Elvis Presley: [joking while reading a script] It says here "Elvis, we're to film you from the waist up. You are not to touch hands with body... uh, I mean body with hands."

Movie Connections:

Featured in Elvis: The Great Performances - Center Stage, Volume One (1990) (V)

Soundtrack:

Nothingville

Strong enough to appeal to fans and the casual listener

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.