This Is Spinal Tap
1984 · Movie · R · 82 min · ★ 7.4 · 95% critics
This Is Spinal Tap follows a struggling metal band as they try to climb back onto the charts, documenting their chaotic history and mounting setbacks. Between band infighting and an endless stream of industry hangers-on, the film captures the ups and downs of touring life and the moments that keep the spotlight shining.
Also known as Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare · This is Spinal Tap®: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Bergi · This Is Spın̈al Tap
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Watch free on Kanopy — also streaming on HBO Max.
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Details
- Years
- 1984
- Release date
- 1984-03-02
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 82 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.4/10 (1,633 votes)
- Budget
- $2,000,000
About
You’ll probably like this mockumentary if you enjoy dry, over-the-top rock culture humor and a mock doc vibe; Not for you if mockumentaries (like Waiting for Guffman or A Mighty Wind) usually leave you cold or you want jokes with a tighter overall arc.
Pros: deadpan rock satire; memorable set pieces; endearing undercurrent | Cons: jokes may not land; loose overall arcs; found-footage look
Themes
- rock star
- groupie
- parody
- mockumentary
- rock band
- found footage
- aftercreditsstinger
- duringcreditsstinger
- amplifier
- music industry
- musical comedy
- metal band
- +4 more
Cast & crew
Christopher Guest
as Nigel Tufnel
Michael McKean
as David St. Hubbins
Harry Shearer
as Derek Smalls
Rob Reiner
as Marty DiBergi
June Chadwick
as Jeanine Pettibone
Tony Hendra
as Ian Faith
Bruno Kirby
as Tommy Pischedda
Ed Begley Jr.
as John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Paul Benedict
as Tucker 'Smitty' Brown
Zane Buzby
as Rolling Stone Reporter
Directed by Rob Reiner