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This Is Spinal Tap

  • 1984
  • R
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
7.9/11
151K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,542
605
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, R.J. Parnell, Harry Shearer, Spinal Tap, and David Kaff in This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
Play trailer2:24
5 Videos
99+ Photos
MockumentaryParodySatireComedyMusic

Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.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
  • Writers
    • Christopher Guest
    • Michael McKean
    • Harry Shearer
  • Stars
    • Rob Reiner
    • Michael McKean
    • Christopher Guest
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/11
    151K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,542
    605
    • Director
      • Rob Reiner
    • Writers
      • Christopher Guest
      • Michael McKean
      • Harry Shearer
    • Stars
      • Rob Reiner
      • Michael McKean
      • Christopher Guest
    • 425User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
    • 92Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos5

    Official Trailer -  41st Anniversary
    Trailer 2:24
    Official Trailer - 41st Anniversary
    This Is Spinal Tap
    Trailer 1:36
    This Is Spinal Tap
    This Is Spinal Tap
    Trailer 1:36
    This Is Spinal Tap
    This Is Spinal Tap: Spinal Tap Goes To 11
    Clip 0:52
    This Is Spinal Tap: Spinal Tap Goes To 11
    'This is Spinal Tap' | Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:45
    'This is Spinal Tap' | Anniversary Mashup
    The Characters of Rob Reiner: Where Are They Now?
    Video 1:44
    The Characters of Rob Reiner: Where Are They Now?

    Photos160

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    + 153
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    Top cast63

    Edit
    Rob Reiner
    Rob Reiner
    • Marty DiBergi
    Michael McKean
    Michael McKean
    • David St. Hubbins
    Christopher Guest
    Christopher Guest
    • Nigel Tufnel
    Kimberly Stringer
    • Heavy Metal Fan
    Chazz Dominguez
    • Heavy Metal Fan
    Shari Hall
    • Heavy Metal Fan
    R.J. Parnell
    • Mick Shrimpton
    David Kaff
    • Viv Savage
    Tony Hendra
    Tony Hendra
    • Ian Faith
    Harry Shearer
    Harry Shearer
    • Derek Smalls
    Bruno Kirby
    Bruno Kirby
    • Tommy Pischedda
    Jean Cromie
    • Ethereal Fan
    Patrick Maher
    • New York M.C.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    • John 'Stumpy' Pepys
    Danny Kortchmar
    Danny Kortchmar
    • Ronnie Pudding
    Fran Drescher
    Fran Drescher
    • Bobbi Flekman
    Patrick Macnee
    Patrick Macnee
    • Sir Denis Eton-Hogg
    • (as Patrick MacNee)
    Memo Vera
    • Bartender
    • Director
      • Rob Reiner
    • Writers
      • Christopher Guest
      • Michael McKean
      • Harry Shearer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The actors are all competent musicians, and they're actually playing on the soundtrack.
    • Goofs
      While David and Nigel normally play guitar, they both play bass during Big Bottom, because that's what the song requires. It's a musical joke.
    • Quotes

      Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...

      Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?

      Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.

      Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?

      Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?

      Marty DiBergi: I don't know.

      Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?

      Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.

      Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.

      Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

      Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits state that the band Spinal Tap is fictional, and add "And there's no Easter Bunny, either!"
    • Alternate versions
      The movie was released in 1994 on CD-ROM by the Voyager Company, a movie distribution company specialized in converting and releasing movies on CD-ROM format. The CD-ROM edition includes the movie as well as extra features. For instance, it has two audio commentaries, one of them from the three main cast members who are not in character. This audio commentary has never been released on any other medium. The CD also includes some fun basic options such as turning the volume to 11 or typing in popular lines and phrases from the movie, which the CD then automatically locates in the movie and plays the scene with the line. The bonus material also includes music videos, ten deleted scenes, the original Spinal Tap short that was made to sell the idea of the movie to potential producers, and some notes from the crew. Another rarity is a fake trailer presented by Rob Reiner himself for "Cheese Rolling," a mockumentary about Denmark's fictional traditional cheese festival, where small villages compete in cheese throwing and similar sports activities involving cheese that can get very intense.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Greatest: 100 Most Metal Moments (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight
      (uncredited)

      Written by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner

      Performed by Spinal Tap

    User reviews425

    Featured review

    Laughs at '11'; one of the greatest comedies ever filmed!

    THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984) **** Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer (Cameos: Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Fran Drescher, Paul Shaffer, Howard Hesseman, Ed Begley, Jr., Fred Willard, Angelica Huston {note spelling!} ).

    Hysterically funny and dead-on "rockumentary" spoof of absurd documentaries and lame so-called rock groups with wicked satirical approach and clever camera shots as well. Directed by Reiner (his debut) with accurate depiction of super-inflated egos, pompous hangers-on and hilarious intimate moments with great dialogue thanks to the improvisations of the trio who reportedly worked from no screenplay. Best moment: Spinal Tap trying to find the stage. And I personally agree with the keyboardist's philosophy of "Have a good time, all the time".
    • george.schmidt
    • Apr 22, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ23

    • How long is This Is Spinal Tap?Powered by Alexa
    • Is this band real?
    • How many Spinal Tap albums are there?
    • Is there a sequel to this film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 2, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • This is Spinal Tap
    • Filming locations
      • Six Flags Magic Mountain - 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Spinal Tap Prod.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,736,202
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $30,835
      • Mar 4, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,739,391
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.70 : 1

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