Elvis on Tour

Elvis on Tour

This is a good film for those that consider themselves as fans. The film shows many behind the scenes footage as well as concert footage. The casual fan may become board, and I would probably recommend Aloha From Hawaii for a simple concert with polished sound. However, this film goes beyond the concert and shows the preparation, fan fair, and a glimpse into a superstar's life. Elvis still looks to be in good health, and one must consider the fashion of the 1970's. This is before giant screens, laser shows, and special effects were on the scene. So extravagant costumes added to his persona. For the most part Elvis seems to be very jovial, but a few times (e.g., When staring out of car window and when receiving a gift from a town official {Though he is humble and respectful}) somewhat bored and reflective. One must also consider that this is filmed approximately five years before his untimely death (i.e. His appearance remained good up until approximately the last two years of his life). The spiritual side of the man is also shown to a great degree in this film, with several gospel songs sung by him and his backup vocalist.

This is a great rock-u-mentary! Following The King for 15 days, you see him climb out and in of limousines, rushing on and off scenes, see him waiting backstage thrilled with scene-nerves - and of course - you'll see him perform on stage. The Elvis Presley show from 1972 included old rockers like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", show-stoppers like "An American Trilogy" and "You Gave Me A Mountain" and the frantic version of "Polk Salad Annie". What REALLY thrills you 'bout this one, is the almost scaring look you get into Elvis' life; always surrounded by his Memphis Mafia, always on tour, always lookin' to please someone else...and then again you see him as he perhaps was deep inside; when he and his guys are singing gospel afterwards the shows. Perhaps this is mostly for fans like myself, but I believe also others could have a thrill out of watching this one!

Elvis had gotten chubby but he wasn't fat like he was when he died. Elvis still looks decent, and is in top vocal form. What "That's the Way It Is" did by showing Elvis's life in rehersal, this one did by showing Elvis's life on the road. It was good to see Elvis at or still near the peak of his performing career.

For me, this is one of the great music cinema films, right up there with The Last Waltz. (Noting the Martin Scorsese connection). Elvis on Tour really captures the excitement of Elvis coming to town and the often obsessive devotion of the fans, while the behind-the-scenes aspects bring to life the frenetic, exhausting pace of the tour itself, and the complexity of the operation. The uplifting vibe of the movie is helped by the fact that Elvis, his musicians and singers are all at the top of their game, and are demonstrably having lots of fun together on stage as well. The sheer joy of making music as an ensemble leaps from the screen. Sadly, this would not always be the case. (Although the decline in Elvis' performance quality in subsequent years has generally been way overstated). The musical highlight, I think, is a euphoric rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water. This film is all the more poignant, knowing what is to come, because it captures a magical moment in time.

I've never been a big fan of Elvis Presley, though I will admit he could certainly belt out a great song, and he also knew how to put on a good show in front of an audience. "Elvis on Tour" is without doubt a valuable rock and roll concert documentary, capturing what Elvis was like in a key part of his career. It shows that he still had considerable singing chops and magnetism. But at the same time, something often seems to missing as he's singing, almost like he is just going through the motions. It may be because he was older, it may be because of the narcotics he was taking - I'm not sure why he isn't as energetic as he was just a few years earlier. The only portions of the documentary where he performs with genuine enthusiasm and energy is with a couple of gospel songs. The behind-the-scenes portions of the documentary are also a bit of a letdown. We learn very little about Elvis, like what he's thinking about this entire tour, what he thinks about where he is in his career, and a number of other unanswered questions. I will say, however, that the musical numbers in the movie are very well directed and edited; the split screen techniques bombard the viewer with a lot of information, giving the feeling of actually being at an Elvis concert. This does make up for Elvis' somewhat lack of the energy he had in the past, and push the movie up to being an okay viewing experience, though more for real Elvis fans than more casual appreciators like myself.

Live concert, backstage and other tour footage of Elvis' early-70s tour. Great music, of course, and some interesting behind-the-scenes stuff. Not really a documentary, as there is no narration and no big information grabs. Still, gives a good feel for Elvis' touring life.

Over the years I for one like many others have became an Elvis fan, hey it's hard not to like the man. The king was the one and only his songs were both touching and uplifting as his words touched your soul and spirit. As Presley often sang about the struggles, joys, and hardships of life. And the man's popularity lives on it's like he never died as his legacy and voice touched millions he's probably earning bigger paydays 33 years after his death! Anyway it was finally nice to get a chance to see some behind the scenes footage of the king in live action. As this award winning documentary from 1972 "Elvis on Tour" is a nice upbeat treat for any fan or film historian. It gives an all access pass to the tours of Elvis as it follows a 15 city tour. The footage a lot of it shot in duo vision and split screen style shows plenty of the king performing his hits on stage at the same time you get to view his backups singing. It follows his pack city to city ranging from states in the south like Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia to gigs in the north with the king entertaining in Michigan and Ohio. And as any king fan remembers Elvis put on a show with his movement actions and deep soothing voice as he shined with his glitter costumes and flashy diamonds. It was hysteria seeing his many fans most females go wild and crazy from screams and tears of joy and excitement when he arrived in town as many were kept from stage while others were lucky as they got the kings lips planted on their faces! Also old vintage clips from Presleys early days are shown in black and white. Interesting note was that this man who flew in on private plane and rode private limo admits he suffered from stage fright as Elvis states he experienced it every time before he went on stage. Really a pretty good and entertaining documentary that showcases the talents of the legendary king as Elvis Presley is still remembered and always will be the one and only king of rock and probably the greatest entertainer to have ever lived. It's a shame it ended to quick he died way to young. Overall good doc for any fan and a good watch for any film buff a documentary that gives good entertainment and lasting memories of the great.

Elvis on Tour (1972) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Pretty good documentary that (once again) captures Elvis on stage and behind the scenes. Sadly I had to watch a P&S version of this film, which was amongst the worst I've ever seen since the film used multi-screens and the left and right were usually just cut off. The performance by Elvis here is rather hit and miss but overall it's a nice collection of songs from a 15-city tour. 'See See Rider' and 'Proud Mary' don't come off too hot but The King once again nails a cover of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Classics like 'Love Me Tender', 'Can't Help Falling in Love', 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Suspicious Minds' comes off very good. The behind the scenes stuff isn't as interesting here as I had hoped but it was rather funny seeing the Gov. of North Carolina kiss Elvis' ass so much. The stuff with the fans reactions to be kissing by Elvis were also great. The flashback scenes to the younger Elvis weren't needed and the movie kisses sequence wasn't needed either. Martin Scorsese worked on the picture as an editor, which I didn't know until after the movie.

"Elvis on Tour" features a great look at Elvis Presley in his third decade of adoration. While the performance quality is down from "That's the Way It Is" (1971), the film is of much better quality. The stylish split-screens, backstage scenes, and overall look actually compliments Elvis Presley - something that should have been done throughout his career. Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel and their crew make it worthy. Among the new songs, there are no real classics; although, when Elvis is trying, many come close. During the 1970s, the now legendary singer is fully in fame's final trap; he will rush through songs, forget lyrics, or simply stop singing. You can see most of this carelessness happening in "Elvis on Tour" but it only serves the film's thesis. And, frankly, few cared, after all… it's ELVIS. The newly recorded "live" songs are from various concerts, April, 1972 - "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (instrumental) / "See See Rider" / "Polk Salad Annie" / "Proud Mary" / "Never Been to Spain" / "Burning Love" / "Love Me Tender" / "Until It's Time For You to Go" / "Suspicious Minds" / "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "Funny How Time Slips Away" / "An American Trilogy" / "I Got a Woman / Amen" (medley) / "A Big Hunk o' Love" / "You Gave Me a Mountain" / "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" / "Can't Help Falling In Love" Additional material was culled from rehearsals recorded in March, 1972 - "Johnny B. Goode" / "Separate Ways" / "Lighthouse" (J.D. Sumner and the Stamps) / "Lead Me, Guide Me" / "Bosom of Abraham" / "I, John" - plus Ed Sullivan showstoppers "Don't Be Cruel" and "Ready Teddy", SUN record classics "That's Alright" and "Mystery Train", ending with the sentimental TV special "Memories". Breaking it down, the older material is much better. And, thanks to filmmakers,, nothing is bad. The gospel rehearsals will probably surprise many; Elvis was an extraordinary "gifted" spiritual singer, and released three highly recommended religious record albums. As far as the regular set goes, it illustrates initial comments. It's typical for the time, with no real highlight. Elvis is great, but not entirely committed. He was always capable of great new tracks, as a listen to the contemporary studio version of "Burning Love" will attest. And, if you want live "Elvis on Tour" songs in their full glory, listen to the version of "Polk Salad Annie" released on Elvis' "On Stage" LP, the single version of "An American Trilogy" or the upcoming "Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite" versions of "Johnny B. Goode" and "You Gave Me a Mountain" (1973). Elvis never did manage to master his final "Mountain", finding it lonely at the top. ****** Elvis on Tour (11/1/72) Pierre Adidge, Robert Abel ~ Elvis Presley, James Burton, J.D. Sumner, Jerry Scheff