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22 reviews in total

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8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
A legendary performer finds himself., 12 August 2001

Author: Michael O'Keefe from Muskogee OK

After much convincing, Elvis Presley does something about his career teetering on the brink of stagnation. During the last week of June 1968, the man who almost single handedly led a musical revolution in the mid '50s made use of "Western Recorders" and the "NBC Studios", Burbank, California to put on tape a TV special. The Elvis NBC Special came to be known as "The '68 Comeback Special". It was originally aired on the night of Dec 3, 1968 and slaughtered the competition: 'The Red Skelton Show', 'It Takes a Thief' and 'The Doris Day Show'. Made up of production numbers and mini-concerts in front of live audiences, this TV special afforded a lost man to find his way home. Elvis Presley was back and once again his career would regain meteoric flight.

Producer/director Steve Binder would be swamped with accolades. NBC took the chance and came out looking like a champ. Elvis' fan base would swell. The lp "Elvis(TV Special)" would rapidly peak at #8 on the Billboard Top Albums chart. This 76 minute video is highlighted with a Gospel Medley, the Guitar Man Medley, and songs like 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy','Jailhouse Rock', 'Tiger Man', 'One Night', 'Memories' and the great finale number, 'If I Can Dream'.

Even non Elvis fans will appreciate watching this. In a way it is like watching musical history...hell it is musical history.

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6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Enjoyable - even if you're not a huge fan, 20 August 2002
Author: Mika Pykäläaho (bygis80@hotmail.com) from Järvenpää, Finland

Fanatic Elvis fan? Not me. I used to be one when I was in the lower level of the comprehensive school but that was over 10 years ago. Afterwards I've found Queen, Black Sabbath, AC/DC and so on - music that I think suits me better. I still haven't got anything against the man, though. I watched "Elvis Presley's '68 comeback special" last night and I was almost surprised to find out how much I loved it. Back in 1968, nine years before his death he was still in the shape of his life: wearing leather clothes, singing his biggest hits and cracking self-ironical jokes about himself like "there's something wrong with my lip".

As a phenomenon Elvis Presley is incredibly interesting. It's miraculous to watch how someone can be so damn cool and so very comical at the same time. The only part of this special I didn't like that much was the gospel sequence because I'd much rather observe the king of rock n' roll singing Jailhouse rock, Heartbreak hotel and Hound dog - songs that really made him the legend he still is. Biggest problem of Elvis is the fact that from today's point of view he unfortunately looks slightly ridiculous. We have to blame thousands and thousands of imitators for that. That's why I loved this comeback special. In the world filled with cheap fake-Presleys it's always nice to marvel the real thing.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Spectacular in every way, 7 August 2001

Author: Jerry Ables from Tennessee

I have absolutely no complaints about this special because I think it did a great deal of justice to Elvis Presley's stellar career. Everything about it makes it great from the pit session to the musical production numbers. Elvis even closes it out with the awesomely compelling 'If I Can Dream'. This is very easily Elvis at his absolute best. I highly recommend it to any fan.

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4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
The greatest performer performs, 24 October 2002
Author: Joe-290

Nobody can doubt that Elvis Presley defined what performing was and here in colour we see the king return to his roots for the very last time in his life after 8 years of Hollywood. Presley lived for another 9 years but when he got into Las Vegas just after this, it was all over. Presley's Vegas period is not to be dismissed in a flash because his cabaret type concerts were so enjoyable. Vegas entertained greatly but here in 1968 immitating his 50's period Elvis contributed to music and society. This show was the main inspiration for MTV Unplugged and it pictures a raw rocking king oozing R&B, gospel and R&R. If anybody sees this and can not be amazed by this man they are missing soemthing. He defined pop culture and music because of his natural ability to get across the meaning and feeling of the songs. (Hardly anyone can do that like him). Here we see Elvis very up to date with the times with almost hard rock, looking and sounding so great. There is an amusing sketch where he jokes about his entire movie career but the scenes where he is sitting with his original band and jamming away can never be beaten. Nobody can come close to Elvis Presley and his 68 comeback special! Its phenomonel!

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Presley at his best, 3 November 2002

Author: funkyfry from Oakland CA

The circumstances surrounding the creation of this TV special are well known to all Elvis fans. This is a movie which should be seen by those who are sceptical that Elvis ever had any musical talent; clearly he did have an extraordinary talent and it's on display here. In the acoustic sections of the concert, Elvis jams with some of his Sun Records bandmates and proves that he can rock for real (something he hadn't done is his 20-someodd mostly mediocre movies for MGM, Paramount, and Sam Katzman in the 60s). There are also surreal dance interpretive numbers that feature Elvis karate fighting to the tune of "It Hurts Me" and a spoof (presumably) of spy movies. Thus, this film, more so than any of Elvis' films or other filmed concerts, presents a full view of the artist and his capabilities, which were great indeed. Elvis looks great, probably better than he ever would again, and fans of outre clothing may appreciate the film on a purely fashion level.

This is one to be enjoyed many times.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
it's great. You also can see...., 4 October 2002
Author: gazzo-2 from United States

.....his longtime double Lance LeGault using a tambourine at the edge of the 'pit concert'; he was his Stand-in during Elvis' Hollywood career. LeGault was a familiar 80's TV face, as the baddie 'the A Team', 'Air Wolf', played a navy guy in 'Magnum', etc.

This whole special of course is great and what Elvis Shoulda been doing instead of 'Clambake'/'Speedway'/'Charro' type crap. Def. his best.

**** outta ****. You can also get longer versions of his stage and pit in the round concerts segments too...

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
68 comeback deluxe, 25 September 2005
Author: val321 from United States

Recently purchased the deluxe box set of Elvis' 68 Comeback Special and must say there are not enough superlatives to describe it's magnificence as a quality piece of Elvis history, and contemporary music history. Elvis, simply put is Elvis at his best, loose, playful, sizzling, simmering and engaging. That's not to mention the stellar performance. His voice is strong, his moves magic and he has never played the guitar so passionately and vigorously. The performance engages from the opening lines of "If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place," through the playful musical nuances and partying of Good Lawdy Miss Clawdy, to the memorable closing performance of "If I Can Dream." This is musical entertainment at it's best. Some of the production numbers are less entertaining than the concert performances, but demonstrate an important part of Elvis' legacy. He is having a great time. Watching it, nearly 40 years later, you will too. Just when the world thought Elvis has left the stage, once again he demonstrates why he is still rock n roll's King. No one can hold a candle to this.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
The Polished Crown, 7 August 2002
Author: Tony G. Marshall (tmbluerain@gmail.com) from Leeds, England

Magical, Mystifying and Memorable - These words describe Elvis and the whole Production of what came to be known as 'The King's' Television Comeback. But it was more than just that - it was 'The Comeback' full stop!

After a full Seven years without ever straying from within the confines of a movie set to perform for his public, the opportune moment finally arrived and it came crashing in at the top of the heap of a formula that had already began to show slight signs of improving itself. The non-movie songs that Elvis had recorded of recent times such as 'Guitar Man', 'The U.S. Male' and 'Big Boss Man' had already made their dents on the charts worldwide and two of these were to be featured in the TV Special in Burbank. The ballads were much classier as well: 'You Don't Know Me', 'We Call On Him' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Dare I say it, but the movies appeared to be taking a somewhat different direction as well since the amicably-casted "Speedway", for "Live a Little, Love a Little" was the man's first venture into then modern day adult comedy in which he only sings four songs, all of which are total quality recordings especially the upbeat numbers of 'Edge of Reality' and 'A Little Less Conversation' (which was to be re-recorded for the TV Show, and the rest is history!). The next film "Charro!", a western, offered another adult role for a bearded Elvis who sings only the title song over the opening credits and the emphasis once more was on the man's acting ability.

Then on June 22nd, 1968 the tape machine was switched on in the recording studios and the camera's got ready to roll like never before in the Burbank soundstages and witnessed Black Leather, Gold Lame, Denim, Neckerchieves, Wrist-bands, Guitars, Music, Laughter, Acting and 'If I Can Dream'.....It wasn't the 1950's anymore but it was certainly the next best thing. All these things were rolled into this one handsome, tanned, side-burned, slim, tall and nervous human being who was Rock's first iconic legend....ELVIS....and he was back!....

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
THE KING IS BACK!!!!!!, 20 August 2001
Author: kwbucsfan from Florida

This was without a doubt Elvis's best moment. Bar none. After years of bad movies and bad songs to boot, Elvis takes control in this TV Special. It immediately puts Elvis back on top where he belonged and his competion below his feet where they belonged. Elvis was way too talented as a singer and an actor to do those bad roles and songs. Those films and songs were beneath his dignity. It is nice to see the real Elvis again. From beginning to end this show has you glued to the television set. Five Stars

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
The return of the Tiger Man, 4 June 2001

Author: (gierenstein@onlinehome.de) from Neunkirchen, Germany

After years of being miscast in run-of-the-mill romantic comedies, Elvis stroke back with an unexpected return, presenting himself as raw and energetic as ever. Still today this extraordinary TV Special fascinates the viewer, containing such classic sequences as the "brothel-scene" which was deleted first but has been added to the VHS version of the special. Another highlight are the now famous sit-down and stand-up sessions with his old bandmates Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana, of which the Special shows a few excerpts. The year after, Elvis' comeback was finally complete with his return to live performances at the Las Vegas International Hotel. But that's another story...

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