IMDb >
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThis Is Spinal Tap (1984) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 68 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 6) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 March 1984 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Does for rock and roll what "The Sound of Music" did for hills
Plot:
Spinal Tap, the world's loudest band, is chronicled by hack documentarian Marti DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Band
|
Heavy Metal
|
Satire
|
Spoof
|
Stonehenge
more
Awards:
2 wins
&
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(64 articles)
Clash of the Titans Trailer Goes to Hell
(From E! Online - Movies and Television. 10 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
Clash of the Titans Trailer Goes to Hell
(From E! Online. 10 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
(From E! Online - Movies and Television. 10 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
Clash of the Titans Trailer Goes to Hell
(From E! Online. 10 November 2009, 8:00 PM, PST)
User Comments:
A hilarious little spoof - wit rather than clumsy stuff
more (281 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Rob Reiner | ... | Marty DiBergi | |
| 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 | ... | Ian Faith | |
| Michael McKean | ... | David St. Hubbins | |
| Christopher Guest | ... | Nigel Tufnel | |
| Harry Shearer | ... | Derek Smalls | |
| Bruno Kirby | ... | Tommy Pischedda | |
| Jean Cromie | ... | Ethereal Fan | |
| Patrick Maher | ... | New York M.C. | |
| Ed Begley Jr. | ... | John 'Stumpy' Pepys | |
| Danny Kortchmar | ... | Ronnie Pudding |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
This is Spinal Tap®: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Bergi (USA) (complete title)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
82 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.70 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Canada:PA (Manitoba) |
Iceland:L |
South Korea:15 |
Sweden:15 (TV rating) |
Australia:M |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Finland:K-7 (DVD rating) |
Finland:K-8 (original rating) |
France:U |
Singapore:NC-16 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Early home video versions of the film, which included the mock music video "Hell Hole" and other extras, had a special disclaimer inserted at the very end stating that the band did not actually exist.
more
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.
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...
more
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...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005)
more
Soundtrack:
Stonehenge
more
FAQ
Is this band real?How many Spinal Tap albums are there?
Is there a sequel to this film?
more
more (281 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for This Is Spinal Tap (1984) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| KISS Loves You | Fubar | Shakespeare in... and Out | Fear of a Black Hat | The War Against Terror: The Musical |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |













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!