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381 user 88 critic

Spinal Tap (1984)

This Is Spinal Tap (original title)
Tous publics | | Comedy, Music | 1 November 2000 (France)
Trailer
1:36 | Trailer
Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.

Director:

Rob Reiner
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Popularity
1,828 ( 247)
2 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Reiner ... Marty DiBergi
Kimberly Stringer Kimberly Stringer ... Heavy Metal Fan
Chazz Dominguez Chazz Dominguez ... Heavy Metal Fan
Shari Hall Shari Hall ... Heavy Metal Fan
R.J. Parnell R.J. Parnell ... Mick Shrimpton
David Kaff David Kaff ... Viv Savage
Tony Hendra ... Ian Faith
Michael McKean ... David St. Hubbins
Christopher Guest ... Nigel Tufnel
Harry Shearer ... Derek Smalls
Bruno Kirby ... Tommy Pischedda
Jean Cromie Jean Cromie ... Ethereal Fan
Patrick Maher Patrick Maher ... New York M.C.
Ed Begley Jr. ... John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Danny Kortchmar ... Ronnie Pudding
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Storyline

In 1982, the legendary English 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. Written by Jeremy Perkins {J-26}

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The funniest movie ever made about rock and roll! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Music

Certificate:

Tous publics | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2002, the Library of Congress deemed the movie "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," and selected it for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. See more »

Goofs

Before the Jazz Odyssey, David and Viv discuss the set list. David, running down the list says "Heavy, Hole." He's referring to two other Spinal Tap songs, "Heavy Duty" and "Hell Hole", in a sort of shorthand. See more »

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... their exuberance, their raw power - and their punctuality. That ...
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Crazy Credits

Anjelica Huston's name is incorrectly listed as 'Angelica Huston' at the beginning of the end titles, but correctly spelled 'Anjelica Huston' in the full cast that appears further down the list. See more »

Alternate Versions

On the DVD, there are 1 hour 25 minutes more footage, including a scene in which the band discuss the bread-eating species of ape but "they've developed no baking skills." See more »

Connections

Referenced in Actors Studio: The Simpsons (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

All The Way Home
Written by Michael McKean and Christopher Guest
Performed by Michael McKean and Christopher Guest
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User Reviews

A hilarious little spoof - wit rather than clumsy stuff
1 January 2004 | by bob the mooSee all my reviews

In 1982 the world's loudest band is about to undertake it's comeback tour of America to coincide with the release of the new album. The group, Spinal Tap, is accompanied by documentary filmmaker Marti DeBergi on what turns out to be a fateful chapter in the band's colourful history.

Despite what anyone else tells you, this is easily one of the most quotable movies made and is just as funny today as it was when it was made, unless you are so out of touch with the world that it affectionately spoofs. The film is almost a tragedy so well does it chronicle the absurd collapse of the band. However, regardless of the hows and whats, the comedy is in the characters and the sharp dialogue. While most of the specific action is really funny, it is best during the backstage arguments and the candid interviews.

The dialogue is fantastic from start to finish and is made better by a superb cast delivering absurd lines with a straight face! McKean, Guest and Shearer are the strongest of the cast have most of the best lines. The support cast is also crammed with cameos from such people as Bruno Kirby, Billy Crystal, Begley Jnr, Macnee, Paul Shaffer, Anjelica Huston and others. Reiner excels as director, writer and documentarian, the film has his hands all over it.

Overall this is a great film, so much has been said about it that I won't go on any longer. While it is not an out and out spoof like Naked Gun, this film is wittier as the comedy comes from the dialogue and the sheer imagination of the writing!


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2000 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Spinal Tap See more »

Filming Locations:

California, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,835, 4 March 1984

Gross USA:

$4,736,202

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,736,202
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.70 : 1
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