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.

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!

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

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...