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Headed by a cast that includes Richard Eagen, Debra Paget, Mildred Dunnock, Bruce Bennet, James Drury, and, oh yes, a young crooner making his film debut, Elvis Presley, "Love Me Tender" is a tidy post-Civil War western. Directed by Robert D. Webb from a screenplay by Robert Buckner, the story follows the Reno family in the period just after the War between the States. Four of the Reno brothers were Confederate soldiers, who, on the day after Lee's surrender, steal the Union payroll from a military train. When the brothers realize that the war is over, rather than deliver the cash to their Confederate superiors, they decide to keep it as spoils of war. When the three brothers reach home, they face several unexpected changes that propel the rest of the film.

Without Presley as Clint, the youngest Reno brother, who stayed home with their mother, "Love Me Tender" would likely have gathered dust in the vaults of Twentieth Century Fox. Not that the film lacks merit. Ruggedly handsome Eagen is a strong lead as the eldest brother, and the story holds viewers' attention, as does solid acting from veteran actress Dunnock as the boys's mother. Another major asset is Leo Tover's luscious black and white cinematography, which captures the period in images that often merit freezing and framing. However, even before the inclusion of Presley, the film had anachronisms with Paget, whose hair, costumes, and demeanor have more to do with the mid-1950's than the post-civil-war era.

While Elvis Presley is the film's major asset, he is also a major detriment to credibility. As an actor, the young rock and roll singer is quite good in the dramatic scenes; he has an easy natural quality, and the camera loves him. Unfortunately for the film, but fortunately for his fans and music history, "Love Me Tender" features several songs by Presley, which have nothing to do with the Civil War. He delivers the rock songs with his trademark hip swiveling, which sent audiences wild on the Ed Sullivan show, but might have merited strong disapproval from Ante-Bellum Southerners. Only the title tune, beautifully sung to Clint's mother and wife on the family porch, arguably fits into the film. However, without Presley and his songs and his hip swivel, "Love Me Tender" would not have received the care and visibility that it has. A mixed bag, but all on the positive side, "Love Me Tender" showcases a young actor with dramatic potential, some 1950's rock and roll hits, and an engaging western story. That's good entertainment value for 52 cents, the average cost of a movie ticket in 1956.

A war that brings some fortune but a catch, after robbing the pay train it's all been scratched, a dilemma is now faced, do you put it back in place, or hide the stash, when at home, then get matched. But on return you find your brother has your bride, turns out the family were informed that you had died, now your girls wearing a ring, given to her by the king, Yankees arrive, and you've been caught off-side. Suffice to say there's lots of shooting and deceit, a song or two with shaking of some feet (amongst other things), people fall out then fall in, there's a few suffer chagrin, if you're a big fan, it must still be a treat.

"Twentieth Century Fox was uncertain whether to feature Elvis in the film as a singer or as an actor. So they tried to have it both ways."

This movie brings it's highs and lows. A trio of brothers fresh from a raid of a Union payroll find out that the war is over on their way to turn in the money to their General with the unit.Their commander Vance (Richard Egan) decides there is no Confederate Government to turn the cash in to. They split the dough and head home. The plot twists when the Union army decides to come after the former raiders, causing splits among the raiders and increasing the tension between the brothers.

The movie is good, the acting is pretty good and the story moves along well. As far as Elvis goes, this movie proves he can act. Its a shame that we did't see him in later years in more conventional movies such as this one, its a pity Elvis never got that chance.

Good movie! But then anything is good with Elvis in it!

The fanfare of a young Elvis Presley and his first movie certainly was blinding when it came to this movie. It was hard for people to see past it, however, upon viewing the picture, Presley's star dims as he takes his seat at the table among some of the acting greats of cinema. The viewer relinquishes the idea that it's Elvis and accepts him as the doting youngest son of the Reno family.

Dramatic without being maudlin, the picture chronicles the lives of one family post-Civil War, and how each member dealt with the harsh realities of war. Hearing that the eldest son Vance (Egan) has died, Clint (Presley) and Vance's former love (Paget) marry in the aftermath of the murder of her parents and the Reno boys father. As is in wartime, things become increasingly more difficult when he and his two other brothers Brett (Campbell) and Ray (Drury) to find this, as well the spoils of war haunting them shortly upon their return.

It's an honest look at a difficult time in this country, with great performances all around -- from the handsome, impressive lead Richard Egan on down the cast. Egan's portrayal of Vance Reno is an amazing performance -- restrained without being stolid, much as men were during the time. Egan gives glimpses into the inner turmoil that sits just below the characters surface, making the character heartbreakingly sympathetic and admirable.

It's Elvis Presley's best performance and (dare I say only worthwhile) role and film. Upon reflection, his co-stars helped to elevate him into something more than what followed (with films) and Presley really seems to have taken this one seriously. Regardless of whether you're a Presley fan or not, the understated performances, simple but effective storyline and message, and moving conclusion make this a must see.

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

So how does The King of Rock and Roll fare here in his screen debut? There is some stiffness here, which isn't unexpected in anybody making his debut (though with Elvis it was something that was never completely shaken off) and his trademark moves during the songs while fun to see feel anachronistic in a Civil War Western film. However, generally 'Love Me Tender' contains one of his better performances, there is a real charm, easy-going charisma and also a genuine emotional honesty. He sings sublimely, his rendition of the iconic title song "Love Me Tender" (one of his most gorgeous songs) is beautifully sung. The other three songs are not quite as great but are still good, regardless of what can be said about how they're placed and how they fit.

He is very well supported by the rest of the cast, the heart-wrenching Richard Egan stealing the film pretty much and Debra Paget is sympathetic and charming. Mildred Dunnock is always reliable and is here. The conflicts are interesting enough, and the tragic finale is genuinely moving.

For a modest budget, 'Love Me Tender' looks good, the western setting while not majestic, evocative or sweeping is handsome and not cheap and the black and white is quite nice. The film is competently directed, and as said the music is good with one song being fantastic.

Dialogue is not a strong suit though, being somewhat awkward-sounding, parts of it and the anachronisms causing unintentional humour. Nor is the start of the film, until Elvis appears 'Love Me Tender' is pretty dull and uneventful.

Parts don't fit with the story or setting as well as ought, one never feels like the film is set in the 1860s instead feeling like a 1950s film set amidst a Civil War backdrop.

Overall, a decent if not great film and one of Elvis' better films and performances. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Finally got around to seeing Elvis Presley's debut film in its entirety and in widescreen, and I think it's a good deal better than it's usually given credit for. Richard Egan plays Vance Reno, who is serving in the Civil War and returns home after the war ends to join his family and reunite with his lover (Debra Paget). But a tragedy ensues when it's learned that while he was away, his young brother Clint (Elvis) fell in love with and married his girl, after hearing that Vance had died. Also factoring into the trouble is that Vance has kept some Union cash which he never delivered to its destination when he found out the war had ended in the interim.

This turned out to be a good, solid story with fine performances, especially by Richard Egan. But again, Elvis is amazing as a completely first-time novice actor. He always wanted to be on the big screen from youth, after admiring James Dean, Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis. For a film fan who never had any professional acting training or experience, he's really quite good as Clint Reno. Though he didn't want to sing in this film, Presley was already a big recording star so of course there had to be songs in the movie. The title tune is a classic and it's very emotional as perfromed within the context of the film. I also like the singalong ditty "We're Gonna Move", which is performed by Elvis on the front porch "1950s-style" with his family, even though it's 1865. Other songs include the unremarkable "Let Me" and "Poor Boy". *** out of ****

Elvis' screen debut didn't put much pressure on his lack of experience. The story line was pretty much like a tv western and seemed awkward trying to fit Elvis' songs into the script. Inspite of being unpolished, Presley still came out almost a flawless gem. Everyone has to start somewhere. This film was by no means something to be ashamed of. 20th Century Fox gave the audience what they wanted...ELVIS.

This was a critically acclaimed introductory role for Elvis. This was not one of the more cheesy moneymakers that Col. Tom Parker stuck him with for the remainder of his career (Girl Happy or Blue Hawaii for instance).

Elvis showed great depth as an actor in his role as Clint Reno and also showed the potential to broaden his career from the premier musical superstar of our time into one of the crossover megastars that we see commonly today.

His music is an integral part of the movie but it isn't put on display the way his future movies do. When you watch this film, try to remember he hadn't done any of those 90-minute rock-n-roll videos with the likes of Ann-Margaret and Nancy Sinatra.

LOVE ME TENDER is worth viewing if the viewer is willing to set aside their preconceived expectations of "just another Elvis movie."

Civil War soldier returns home to his family and fiancée, who are unaware of his past as a thief--and possible murderer. Strictly as a star-vehicle (for a singer who was not yet a movie star), "Love Me Tender" proves to be an interesting footnote in the legend of Elvis Presley; as a piece of western-genre cinema, it is quite dreadful. Richard Egan (in the most prominent role) does well, and the supporting cast featuring Debra Paget and Neville Brand is solid, yet it is Presley's acting debut which garners the most attention, and with good reason: his self-conscious sneering gives the picture its only intrinsic excitement (as well as a campy kick). The writing is inane and the music (with the exception of the hit title tune) is mediocre but, if you can make it to the final reel, stick around for one of the silliest closing shots in 1950s Hollywood. Did the public-at-large really swallow this hokum at the time? *1/2 from ****

If you want to avoid the low-quality movies that Elvis unfortunately made during the 1960's you can still watch this piece. That the "King" is not in the main role gives the film more credibility and you can really say that Love Me Tender is a good movie. With Elvis only as a troubadour works fine and the film remains a proper western too.

Perhaps there has been better westerns too but the storyline in this one is enough interesting: a man returns from the American Civil War and finds his wife at home married to another man. With this marital mess and some other problems being solved Elvis drops in and offers some fresh music, or the music that was still fresh when the movie was being made. It is anyway relaxing to see the "King" in a most unspoiled context.

The title sounds more like a soap opera than the sombre black & white post-Civil War tale it actually is, the shooting title of which was 'The Reno Brothers'. It was changed to name it after one of the songs sung by the heavy-lidded, swivel-hipped kid playing Richard Egan's young brother, and was the first feature ever to recoup it's entire cost in its first three days.

The lad shows promise; I wonder what became of him...

So, Elvis is in movies... I'm pretty sure that became a popular line when this film came out.  I decided to give this film a try seeing that the King of Rock N Roll was starring in it. Man, was I wrong for making that decision. There was no great acting skills in this film from Elvis. The others were copacetic enough to make the movie pass, but Elvis... It was like he was acting the way that he was singing. He didn't have any type of flow to him, he wasn't loosened enough, he seemed like he was just so stiff.  I like the whole "let's put Elvis in a movie & make it a western one at that" type of theme that they tried to portray, but it honestly wasn't working out for them. He should've just stayed with the soundtrack on this one. Can't say that this is one of my favorites.

While this is Elvis Presley's first film, he was not the star but third billed. You wouldn't know that looking at the posters, as he alone is shown on most posters, including the one on IMDB. This isn't surprising considering Elvis' popularity back in 1956!

The story begins just as the Civil War is ending. A group of Confederate soldiers are on a mission to steal the Union payroll....though as it turns out the war had just ended! While the raid is successful, the soldiers soon realize their mistake and instead of giving back the money, they decide to split it up among them.

When one of these men, Vance Reno (Richard Egan), returns home, he's in for a real shock! His girlfriend had married his brother, Clint (Elvis), following her receiving word that Vance had been killed in action....oops!! Not surprisingly, things are VERY tense on the Reno homestead! Fortunately, Clint doesn't realize the tension between Vance and Cathy (Debra Paget)! How does all this work out? Well, I'll give you a clue...it doesn't work out well!

It wasn't surprising that Elvis would sing a few songs in the film. However, a few of these were very anachronistic and Elvis' gyrating and style just didn't seem to fit 1865! His version of the title song, however, was wonderful.

Overall, this is a very good film...I nearly give it an 8. The story is sound, the acting (including Elvis') is quite nice and it's well worth seeing.

Elvis' screen debut and he is not great... but the movie itself ain't too bad, except the huge error in geography -- this is a western portrayed with mountains and mountainous desert landscapes... but it takes place in Louisiana. Ummm, Mr. Director, ever been to Louisiana?! You could simply have looked in an encyclopedia at the time to see that Louisiana has NO terrain of the nature you chose to film around. NONE. Very bad. In any case, it sure was strange to see Elvis shaking' and twistin' in "1865." He had four songs and three were rockin' numbers, two with women swooning at him -- so out of place for this time period. His acting was stiff at times and so very plain. Really an amateur. But a decent western otherwise

--The Kat Pirate Screener

Released in 1956 - Love Me Tender would be Elvis Presley's much-anticipated screen debut. At 21 years of age, Elvis, the Pelvis, actually showed a truly remarkable zeal and assurance in his role as Clint Reno.

Set in Texas during the American Civil War - Love Me Tender is a fairly entertaining Western/Drama, filmed in b&w, and featuring 4 musical numbers with Elvis (naturally) being the one at the helm of things. This would be the one and only time in an Elvis Presley film where the soundtrack actually wasn't more important than the script.

Love Me Tender's story revolves around the conflicting politics that take place between the 2 Reno brothers, Clint and Vance, and their mutual love for the same woman. Rivalry and resentment naturally makes a play in all of this when the woman of their affections, Cathy, makes her final decision about which of the brothers she prefers as her special man.

If you're a true, die-hard Western fan, then, perhaps, Elvis' swivelling hips may not be considered acceptable as an authentic period detail, but, all the same, past or present, the young, Texas gals in this flick absolutely loved it.

As the US Civil War ends, three Confederate brothers and their gang rob a Union train. They split the money and return to Texas. Arriving home, they find little brother Elvis Presley (as Clinton "Clint" Reno) has grown up and married. Older brother Richard Egan (as Vance) is hit hard by the news, because pretty Debra Paget (as Cathy) was waiting to be his bride. As it turns out, the family was falsely informed of Mr. Egan's death. There are hurt feelings all around, occasionally tempered when Mr. Presley sings songs. While the three lovers work out their marriage problem, others are looking for the missing money...

The first Presley film has the "rock 'n' roll" superstar taking over the screen. When he sings, the plot stops. In a couple of emotional scenes, he shows a little promise as a dramatic actor. Presley sings the multi-million selling classic "Love Me Tender" (which replaced "The Reno Brothers" as the film's title). Of the other soundtrack songs, "Poor Boy" led in airplay. The pleasant production receives a lift from Presley's participation, but his 1950s style appears anachronistic. Sad-eyed mother Mildred Dunnock (as Martha) does well, and Dick Sargent has a good bit announcing General Robert E. Lee's surrender.

**** Love Me Tender (11/15/56) Robert D. Webb ~ Elvis Presley, Richard Egan, Debra Paget, Mildred Dunnock

My guess would be that the story for Love Me Tender was probably laying around the offices at 20th Century Fox and would have been a B western starring Richard Egan. In fact the original title was in fact The Brothers Reno.

But along came Elvis Presley and when Darryl F. Zanuck signed him for his feature film debut the story had to be reworked to accommodate his presence. Of course four songs had to be added, including the title tune, which was a rewording of the famous Civil War era ballad Aura Lee.

The Reno brothers, Richard Egan, James Drury, and William Campbell go to war, enlisting in the Confederate Army. The youngest brother Elvis Presley stays home to take care of Mother Reno, played by Mildred Dunnock and the family farm. When it's reported that Egan was killed, fiancé Debra Paget marries Elvis.

Of course all three Reno brothers return, sound of wind and limb. The day after the Civil War ended, the brothers and others rob a Yankee paymaster and split the money.

They're outlaws now, but a reasonable carpetbagger administrator played by Robert Middleton is willing to forgive and forget if he gets the money back. That and the return of Egan lead to the ensuing conflicts in Love Me Tender.

I have no doubt that Colonel Tom Parker chose this particular screen property for his star and as usual Colonel Tom chose well. The southern civil war background of the story made perfect casting for Elvis. Of course his hip wiggling gyrations in the post bellum South seem out of place, but that's what the ticket buyers to an Elvis film wanted.

And he certainly sang Love Me Tender real good.

This movie is one of the better B-western. It has a solid and rugged star, a good cast and is directed very well. The story is exciting and touching.

I always liked Richard Egan. Once again he proves that he really is a convincing actor and he is supported by Debra Paget, Mildred Dunnock, William Campbell and James Drury. (Where is young Barry Coe?)

Elvis Presley has an subordinated but interesting part. His best sequences are his songs (a mix of country and rock'n'roll). But he also shows that he has not to hide some acting abilities. The last scenes when he is upset of jealousy and when he finally is dying belongs to the best what he ever did on the screen.

"IT'S MR. ROCK'N'ROLL IN THE STORY HE WAS BORN TO PLAY". This is how Elvis Presley's first film, "Love me tender", was advertised. Intended to be the story of the infamous gang of the Reno Brothers, the film follows the four gangsters' misadventures after robbing a Union train during the Civil War.

The robbery is successful, and the brothers decide to take the money to General Randolph, in order to continue the war against the Unionists. The only problem is that the war has ended since some days. At first reluctant to believe it, the heroes then take advantage of their remaining fortune and buy a groom's costume for the eldest one, Vance (Richard Egan), who wants to marry his sweetheart Cathy (Debra Paget). Unfortunately, time is not on their side, since, upon returning, Vance finds Cathy the wife of the youngest brother, Clint (Elvis Presley), the only one who didn't go to war, and is thus innocent regarding the robbery. Trying to reconcile, the two brothers find themselves meddled in Vance's past crime, when Federal Soldiers come to get the money. So starts a chase in forests and valleys, in which old bonds will break and Elvis songs will be heard.

"Love me tender" wants to be a Western, but it resoundingly fails because of the cast's weak performances. Egan interprets Vance too artificially to come off as threatening and ambitious, while his short-lived romance with the equally bland Paget seems doomed from the start , since the pairing of the brave, determined Vance with the weak, indecisive Cathy only survives thanks to societal traditions - it is imperative that a woman be married. The more sentimental Clint easily wins her over, and it is thus quite meaningless to watch the brothers' feud unravel.

Elvis, one of the most famous idols of that generation, makes a mildly positive first impression as an actor, although his bursts of anger seem rather overdramatic to be convincing, possibly due to Elvis's zeal for acting. His character, the innocent cowboy, was imitated seven years later by the "French Elvis", Johnny Hallyday, in "D'où viens-tu Johnny ?". While Johnny was too artificial, his American counterpart was overzealous, and their attempts at being Western heroes fell a bit short of that aim, even though both would develop a notable, if not admirable acting career later. Mr. Rock'n'roll wasn't yet ready for a dramatic role, be it in a cheap Western, and so "Love me tender" was surely not the story he was born to play.

Damaging his attempt at acting seriously were Elvis's songs, of which the title tune became one of his biggest hits. For this blow to Elvis's acting ambitions, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is to blame, since he insisted that his protégé sing in the film. Fortunately, the songs are integrated smoothly in the plot, appearing in intimate moments, or during funfairs, in which some fun is not to be missed. Only the soundtrack makes up for this generally forgettable film, which has little charm beyond the beginner's try by Elvis, and the magnificent scenery.

Elvis's debut remains significant from a cultural standpoint, but has little value cinema-wise. In a film as forgettable as can get, he, at least, provides a performance weak due to inexperience only. Still, this does nothing to save the film from failing, and I doubt there are many that would have loved it tender, if it wasn't for their teenage idol, singing with his sweet voice; "Love me tender/ Love me sweet/ Never let me go..."

I watched this movie because I was curious about Elvis in movies. I didn't expect much, but I was happily surprised. So, when I came to look for more information about it, I was even more surprised this movie has such a low rating here. The story is very good, controversial even in many ways. It has no boring moments, the drama is constant. The acting is good for the time. The music is also appropriate for the setting, both Elvis's songs and the score by Lionel Newman is also very effective and good for the time when it was done. This might be a problem for many, the time. Judging a movie like this by today's standards is doing it a great injustice. I've seen lots of old movies that don't hold the attention as much as this. Even the acting of Elvis, being this his first movie, and him being a singer not an actor, was quite convincing. I've see lots of actors not pull the jealous rage the way he does.

Without Elvis it would be just another 'B' Western, even with a couple of named stars (Eagan and Paget). Although mostly unknown in 1956, there were a few actors in the cast that would be better know, such as James Drury and Neville Brand. As for Elvis' first movie role, I would have to rate it as so-so. And quite frankly if he hadn't been a heart throb singer his movie career probably wouldn't have gone very far.