"Elvis on Tour" is a documentary that provides glimpses of the performer behind the scenes, his onstage persona, and his performances of several hit songs.At this stage of his career, he was besieged by bodily pains and turmoil surrounding the final stages of his marriage to Priscilla--something he would never recover from. He was coping with drugs and, in fact, he would die a few years later. But the film does not document these real dimensions of his life. It only deals with his public face and the dedication of his fans. As such, it feels like little more than a promotional film.We see Elvis backstage before going on, waiting nervously with his entourage. We see him dressed in his Evel Knievel-like caped jumpsuits, still possessing a voice, but not fully invested in providing a concise performance. We see the audiences, filled with adoring fans, screaming and crying, attesting to his popularity.Like Sinatra, whose popularity never waned, Elvis has become a caricature of himself at this point. And serious singing has given way to showmanship, punctuated with posings and karate kicks. But his audiences loved all of this.Elvis did make some good music. And some of his best songs were released late in his career, but in 1972 at this film's releasing, the major hits were behind him.The film does a good job capturing the phenomenon that is Elvis. But the amount of split screen editing feels excessive, like they are trying to make some scenes feel more exciting than they were.

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. 'Elvis: That's the Way It Is' is an acclaimed documentary film for good reason, and better than all of his films he made during the mid-50s-late-60s.His film career was highly variable as an overall film career with some good ones ('King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Jailhouse Rock', Viva Las Vegas' and 'Loving You'), some decent ones (most of his late-50s-early 60s efforts), some mediocre ones (some of his 1962-1964 efforts and almost all his films after 'Stay Away Joe') and some bad ones ('Harum Scarum', 'Stay Away Joe', 'Frankie & Johnny', 'Paradise Hawaiian Style', 'Easy Come Easy Go', 'Double Trouble', 'Kissin' Cousins' and 'Clambake'). Elvis' performances in them ranged from good, great even in a few, to clearly disinterested and embarrassed (and regarding some of his later films who could blame him).Both his 1970s documentaries are well worth seeing, with 'That's the Way It Is' being the better and more consistent of the two'. Both are on the same level of his best films, even better actually, and significantly better than most of them. Simply put, for fans of the justly named The King of Rock and Roll, 'Elvis On Tour' is unmissable and both entertaining and fascinating, and even non-fans may find themselves converted. It's cohesively shot and edited (with the involvement of none other than acclaimed director Martin Scorsese early on in his career), where one gets to properly know Elvis, the band and the audience.Unlike 'That's the Way It Is', 'Elvis on Tour' isn't perfect. Some of the lighting is dim, and as many of the other commentators have said while at times affectionate and candid the behind the scenes stuff doesn't fare as well as the concert footage, being not exactly illuminating and revealing little about Elvis himself or what we don't know already.With Elvis himself, he doesn't look as great as 'That's the Way It Is' (though he did look worse), but he sounds fantastic and looks like a natural on stage with immense energy and real connection to the music. There is a real sense of atmosphere without being over-the-top.The quality of the music can't be faulted either, with a mix of his greatest and iconic hits and his newer music. No forgettable at best ones here, disposable ones and no career-low ones either. It's all brilliantly performed all round.Overall, entertaining and fascinating if not without its flaws. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Five years from his death, Elvis was still an amazingly powerful stage presence. When this documentary was filmed in 1972, Elvis's face had puffed out and he wore garish, polyester-looking costumes but he was still a handsome man with an incredibly seductive voice. Near-sighted and stage-frighted, he is disarmingly humble company in this understated road and concert film."He wanted to run where his feet wouldn't go…Like a bridge over covered water, I will ease your mind…Train, train coming down the line…I can't help falling in love with you…" Wherever he is going in his music, Elvis draws you in in this excellent film -- before ever-adoring, screaming crowds or singing in the back seat of a car with his gospel-inspired sidemen.Elvis evidently went seriously downhill at some point, but I was happy to see he seemed to be doing OK so late in his life. He had an incredible gift to share and this wonderful film captures why he will always be loved.

"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