``Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition''; Warner Home Video Announces King-Size Tribute to the ``First Bad Boy of Rock''.

Entertainment Editors & Music/Video/DVD Writers

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2000

Newly Re-Edited "Rockumentary" Captures Elvis in All His Glory

on VHS Jan. 16 and DVD March 6

Includes 27 Songs With More Than 30 Minutes of

Never-Before-Seen Rehearsal and Concert Footage

Warner Home Video (WHV) proudly announces the release of the powerful "rockumentary" "Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition," featuring a newly remastered and remixed version, available for the first time ever in stereo.

Produced by award-winning filmmaker Rick Schmidlin ("Touch of Evil," "Greed," "Doors: Live at the Hollywood Bowl") and his team, the special edition includes close-ups of Presley's famous footwork and guitar work, cut-aways of the band, never-before-seen footage including 10 musical numbers, and Elvis' off-stage antics. "Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition" shakes up the stores on Jan. 16 on VHS for $14.95 SRP and on March 6 on DVD for $24.98 SRP.

Known the world over by his first name, Elvis is regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century. With a revolutionary sound and style, he challenged the social and racial barriers of the time. Elvis ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture, bringing the world such classic songs as "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel" and "All Shook Up." Elvis Presley has sold more records than any other artist (more than 1 billion records), starred in 31 features and two concert films and shook the world with his record-breaking television and live appearances.

In announcing this special edition, Mark Horak, WHV senior vice president, marketing stated: "`Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition' will be an exceptional keepsake for those who recognize and remember Elvis' remarkable talent and will serve as a great introduction to those who have yet to experience the power and range of Presley's genius."

"Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition" documents Presley at his peak during the celebrity-attended August 1970 Las Vegas concert series and reveals a seldom-seen personal side of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Rare, behind-the-scenes footage shows Elvis interacting with the TCB Band and his back-up singers, the Sweet Inspirations and The Imperials, as well as his off-stage antics.

The film captures the inimitable style of Elvis as he sings 27 dynamic songs including "Love Me Tender," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "Suspicious Minds."

Both the VHS and DVD versions contain the original theatrical trailer and a new documentary "Patch It Up: The Reconstruction of Elvis: That's the Way It Is." The featurette chronicles the work of distinguished film restoration specialist Rick Schmidlin as he re-edits the film using never-before-seen footage.

Schmidlin conducted an exhaustive five-month search for all existing film negatives, work prints and corresponding audio masters, producing up to four additional hours of usable footage, some of which was culled from individual scraps as short as a few seconds. Once he had the materials, he and his team went to work. There are many sequences of entirely new material, comprising roughly 40% of "Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition," which capture with greater intimacy Elvis' creative process and stage persona.

The entire film, including performances retained from the original version, has been re-edited, with virtually every shot reflecting some change in length and rhythm to give it a more contemporary feel.

The recent discovery of 50,000 feet of original film negative shot by six cameramen who were granted unlimited access during the span of rehearsals and performances, and the original corresponding 16-track audio masters, provided the opportunity to re-cut the film. "Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition" represents the first time a film has been completely re-edited from start to finish using only original elements. This special edition will also be presented with a new Dolby Digital 5.1 stereo soundtrack.

Elvis Presley influenced the world's entire popular culture and changed the face of Rock 'n' Roll. Bruce Springsteen said: "There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king." Mick Jagger praised him by saying, "He was a unique artist -- an original in an area of imitators." Bob Dylan stated, "Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail." and John Lennon said simply, "Before Elvis, there was nothing." Twenty-three years after his death, "the King" continues to move audiences with his legendary music.

"Elvis: That's the Way It Is - Special Edition" will premiere on Turner Classic Movies on Jan. 15, 2001, one day before its VHS debut. Each video will contain more than $1,400 worth of Warner Spotlight Coupon values and will qualify for the Warner "Buy 3/Get 1 Free" Offer.

With operations in 78 international territories -- more than the video division of any other studio -- Warner Home Video commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. WHV's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top-quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment Company, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Video.