Plot
Spinal Tap, the world's loudest band, is chronicled by hack documentarian Marti DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
Release Year: 1984
Rating: 8.0/10 (63,229 voted)
Critic's Score: 85/100
Director:
Rob Reiner
Stars: Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest
Storyline In 1982 legendary British heavy metal band Spinal Tap attempt an American comeback tour accompanied by a fan who is also a film-maker. The resulting documentary, interspersed with powerful performances of Tap's pivotal music and profound lyrics, candidly follows a rock group heading towards crisis, culminating in the infamous affair of the eighteen-inch-high Stonehenge stage prop.
Writers: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean
Cast: Rob Reiner
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Marty DiBergi
Kimberly Stringer
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Heavy Metal Fan
Chazz Dominguez
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Heavy Metal Fan
Shari Hall
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Heavy Metal Fan
R.J. Parnell
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Mick Shrimpton
David Kaff
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Viv Savage
Tony Hendra
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Ian Faith
Michael McKean
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David St. Hubbins
Christopher Guest
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Nigel Tufnel
Harry Shearer
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Derek Smalls
Bruno Kirby
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Tommy Pischedda
Jean Cromie
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Ethereal Fan
Patrick Maher
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New York M.C.
Ed Begley Jr.
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John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Danny Kortchmar
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Ronnie Pudding
Taglines:
Does for rock and roll what "The Sound of Music" did for hills
Opening Weekend: $30,835
(USA)
(4 March 1984)
(3 Screens)
Gross: $4,491,645
(USA)
(1 July 1984)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
There's a common misconception that the "too small Stonehenge" disaster is a parody of Black Sabbath's oversized Stonehenge sets from the Born Again tour. This is impossible, the Stonehenge Spinal Tap scene existed as early as 1982 when the film existed as a 20-minute short, and Black Sabbath didn't begin using their Stonehenge sets until 1983.
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes:
Throughout the film, 2x4's are visible through the windows in shots of the band's interview in front of the castle revealing that it is just a facade.
Quotes:
[first lines]
Marty DiBergi:
Hello; my name is Marty DiBergi. I'm a filmmaker. I make a lot of commercials. That little dog that chases the covered wagon underneath the sink? That was mine. In 1966, I went down to Greenwich Village, New York City to a rock club called Electric Banana. Don't look for it; it's not there anymore. But that night, I heard a band that for me redefined the word "rock and roll". I remember being knocked out by their...
User Review
Still the funniest rock'n'roll movie ever, and one of the best DVDs on the market.
Rating:
'This Is Spinal Tap' has been part of my life for so many years that it's
hard to remember a time when I hadn't seen it. Having recently bought it on
DVD and rewatched it for the nth time I was once again struck and just how
clever and amusing this movie is. Christopher Guest and friends are not only
very talented comedians with an amazing ability to improvise, but they know
their music, and this is the real strength of the movie. Even though I have
almost memorized every scene and joke it's STILL funny to me no matter how
many times I watch it. Not only is the movie itself a classic, but the DVD
is one of the best buys around with plenty of extras, deleted scenes, many
as good as those chosen, and best of all a hilarious commentary by Tufnel,
St Hubbins and Smalls which is even funnier than the movie itself. In fact
it's the most entertaining DVD commentary track I've heard to date. This
movie is a comedy classic, and easily the sharpest rock'n'roll parody ever
made. If you haven't seen it before you're in for a treat! Absolutely
essential viewing for all rock'n'roll fans, metal or otherwise!
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