Warner Home Video has announced the Blu-ray release of Elvis on Tour, the Golden Globe-winning documentary that followed Elvis Presley on a 15-city tour of the United States in 1972, for August 3. Video has been remastered in high definition with 2.40:1 letterboxed image, as seen in the theatrical release. Audio will be 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
It will be packaged as a Blu-ray Book filled with Elvis photos, quotes, trivia, a tour itinerary, set lists, costumes, and background information about the filming techniques used.
Also on August 3, WHV will release a three-film Elvis Blu-ray Collection, which will include Elvis on Tour, Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas.
The documentary features 25 musical numbers and backstage rehearsals. Songs include: See See Rider, Proud Mary, Burning Love, Don’t Be Cruel, Teddy Bear, Hound Dog, Can’t Help Falling in Love with You, Love Me Tender, All Shook Up, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Sweet Sweet Spirt, the famous An American Trilogy. Burning Love appears in its first-ever performance by Elvis; the song was so new that Elvis referred to the lyric sheet during his performance. Also included are Elvis’ Ed Sullivan Show performance, and a montage sequence (supervised by Martin Scorsese) showcasing Elvis’ early career and movies.
“This is one of the most anticipated Elvis releases ever,” said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises, the licensing arm of The King’s trust, to Home Media Magazine. “His fans have been waiting for this for a very long time, and they’re anxious to see it.”
Elvis Week and screening
A screening of the documentary on August 14 in Memphis will follow the home entertainment release as WHV joins in the celebration of “Elvis Week” (August 10 thru 16), commemorating the 75th anniversary of the rock ‘n’ roll icon’s birth.
The August 14th screening will be a once-in-a-lifetime, big screen event for Elvis fans gathered from around the world. Held at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, one of Elvis’ favorite movie houses, the screening will include a short live performance featuring former members of the Stamps Quartet who appeared with Elvis in the documentary, a glimpse of additional never-before-seen Elvis footage and an exhibit of rarely-seen artifacts from the Graceland Archives.
Elvis’ 75th birthday is being celebrated around the world in 2010. In addition to the “Elvis Week” celebration at Graceland in Memphis, activities include Viva ELVIS! by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, the 2010 Elvis Cruise, an exhibit at Graceland called “Elvis Presley: Fashion King,” an Elvis exhibit at the Newseum in Washington D.C., ELVIS 75: Good Rockin’ Tonight, the first definitive 4-CD overview of Elvis” entire recording career, and more.
Elvis Week, held August 10 thru 16, is a celebration of the music, movies and life of Elvis Presley. Fans from around the world gather in Memphis to celebrate through special events, charity functions, conferences, concerts, sporting events and more. The week also includes the annual candlelight vigil on the night of August 15.
Prior to the Elvis on Tour screening on August 14, fans can go behind the scenes with Conversations on Elvis, which features a panel discussion with former members of The Stamps Quartet, Donny Sumner and Bill Baize, along with Joe Guercio, Elvis’ musical director and conductor for his performances from 1970 and 1977. The event is hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
Tickets will go on sale for Elvis Insiders on Thursday, April 8 and for the general public on Thursday, April 22. More information, including links to purchase tickets are available at the Elvis Week website.
