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This Is Spinal Tap

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This Is Spinal Tap

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• Comedy
• Music

• 1984
• Rob Reiner
• 79 mins
• 15

Summary

Spoof documentary that follows the exciting comeback tour of Britain's most punctual heavy rockers, Spinal Tap, as they launch their provocative new album Smell the Glove before literally dozens of indifferent fans.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Alan Jones

This brilliantly crafted and completely on-target satire of the rock 'n' roll industry is filmed in mock documentary style, with every rock-music cliché savagely lampooned for maximum hilarity, as director Rob Reiner follows a fictitious British heavy metal band on tour. The Stonehenge-inspired production number is a showstopping highlight, but there's also immense pleasure to be had in the details, particularly the unbelievably crass song lyrics. Christopher Guest and Michael McKean are perfect as the group's incredibly stupid lead guitarist and singer, and Reiner's unsurpassed spoof never hits a false note. This pop send-up landmark has deservedly become a cult classic.

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7.9/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameNigel Tufnel (lead guitar)Christopher GuestDavid St Hubbins (lead guitar)Michael McKeanDerek Smalls (bass)Harry ShearerMick Shrimpton (drums)R J ParnellViv Savage (keyboards)David KaffMarty DiBergi Rob ReinerJeanine PettiboneJune ChadwickIan FaithTony HendraTommy PischeddaBruno KirbyDesignerAnjelica HustonMime artistBilly CrystalJohn "Stumpy" PepysEd Begley JrTBCHoward HessemanTBCPaul ShafferMime waiterDana CarveySir Denis Eaton-Hogg Patrick MacneeBobbi FlekmanFran Drescher

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Crew

rolenameDirectorRob Reiner

Details

Theatrical distributor

Mainline Pictures Ltd

Released on

2000-10-13

Languages

English | Japanese

Guidance

swearing

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about This Is Spinal Tap

• 
  
  Ricky Gervais reveals his top 10 comedy TV shows and films - from Fawlty Towers to Spinal Tap
  
  The After Life creator reveals the comedies that shaped him.

• 
  
  Spinal Tap II: The End Continues review – Such beloved characters deserve a better film
  
  Rather than enriching or adding to the Tap pantheon, the movie is best approached as an exercise in nostalgia.

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• 
  
  8 essential Rob Reiner films: from This is Spinal Tap to When Harry Met Sally
  
  The director of some of the most beloved American films of all time has died in tragic circumstances – but he leaves behind an incredible legacy.

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  This is Spinal Tap sequel begins filming with original cast returning
  
  Almost 40 years since the original film's release, production on the sequel is now under way.

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