IN the Sixties, Elvis had concentrated on making movies after earning his Army stripes. However, revitalised by his 1968 television comeback, he swapped black leather for bright white jump-suit, Las Vegas and gospel backing singers.

Documentary filmmaker Denis Sanders was granted an audience with the King in 1969, first releasing The Way It Is concert documentary in 1970. For reasons best known to himself, he left out most of the concert footage, finding a place instead for fans' bland comments.

Now the re-mastered version places the focus on the charismatic master at work and play, in MGM studio rehearsals and Vegas stage majesty; with next to no narrative, no commentary and no worshipful audience reactions.

Elvis's charm, his rugged beauty and animal grace hadn't yet left the building; this was Elvis in excelsis, charged and in charge, not the cartoon, peanut-butter Elvis. His performance peaks with the glorious abandon of Suspicious Minds, but the ultimate joy here is pouting Presley's kissing festival in Love Me Tender, when every woman lingers on his lips just that moment longer than strictly necessary. At 97 minutes, however, the show is a little bloated, even though Elvis isn't.