This is Spinal Tap | Rob Reiner

This Is Spinal Tap, also known as This Is Spinal 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.

This Is Spinal Tap was released to critical acclaim, but its initial release found only modest commercial success. Its later VHS release brought it greater success and a cult following. In 2002, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress, and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry. It has been credited with "effectively" launching the mockumentary genre. It is also notable as the origin of the phrase "Up to eleven". 

TWO-BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

★ New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Rob Reiner, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
★ Alternate 2.0 uncompressed stereo soundtrack
★ Three audio commentaries, featuring Reiner; actors Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; producer Karen Murphy; editors Robert Leighton and Kent Beyda; and band members Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls
★ Conversation between Reiner and actor Patton Oswalt
★ The Cutting Room Floor, featuring ninety-eight minutes of outtakes
★ Spinal Tap: The Final Tour (1982)
★ Excerpts from The Return of Spinal Tap (1992)
★ Interviews with the band for its 2009 Back from the Dead album
★ Trailers, media appearances, and music videos
★ English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
★ PLUS: An essay by critic Alex Pappademas

Film Details

United States
1984
82 minutes
Color
1.85:1
English