This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap (also known as This Is Spın̈al Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Bergi) is a 1984 American mockumentary comedy film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner in his feature directorial debut. The film's starring trio, who also co-wrote the film, are Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. Guest, McKean and Shearer play members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, which is characterized as "one of England's loudest bands". Reiner plays Martin "Marty" Di Bergi, a documentary filmmaker who follows them on their American tour. The film satirizes the behavior and musical pretensions of rock bands and the perceived hagiographic tendencies of rock documentaries such as The Song Remains the Same (1976) and The Last Waltz (1978), and follows the similar All You Need Is Cash (1978) by the Rutles. Most of its dialogue was improvised and dozens of hours were filmed.
Plot
Filmmaker Martin "Marty" Di Bergi is filming a documentary about English rock band Spinal Tap's 1982 United States concert tour to promote their new album, Smell the Glove. The band comprises childhood friends David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel on vocals and guitar, bassist Derek Smalls, keyboardist Viv Savage, and drummer Mick Shrimpton.
Cast
- Anjelica Huston
- Billy Crystal
- Brinke Stevens
- Bruno Kirby
- Christopher Guest
- Dana Carvey
- Danny Kortchmar
- Ed Begley, Jr.
- Fran Drescher
- Fred Asparagus
- Fred Willard
- Harry Shearer
- Howard Hesseman
- J. J. Barry
- Joyce Hyser
- June Chadwick
- Marcia Strassman
- Michael McKean
- Patrick Macnee
- Paul Benedict
- Rob Reiner
- Sean Frye