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This Is Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap

1984
Comedy, Music
1h 22m
Spinal Tap, the world's loudest band, is chronicled by hack documentarian Marti DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour (imdb)

Directed by:

Rob Reiner

Screenwriter:

Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer

Starring:

Ed Begley Jr., Rob Reiner, Fred Willard, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Anjelica Huston, Bruno Kirby, Harry Shearer, David Kaff, Fran Drescher, Tony Hendra, R.J. Parnell

Genres:

Comedy, Music

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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This Is Spinal Tap

1984
Comedy, Music
1h 22m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 67.53% from 6725 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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ocelotOcelot
Rated 16 Apr 2009
99
99th
I wish Criticker's tiers went all the way up to 11.
Rated 16 Apr 2009
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 03 Jan 2007
5
93rd
This pretentious, ponderous group of rock psalms prompts the question "On what day did God create Spinal Tap?" and couldn't he have rested on that day too?
Rated 03 Jan 2007
chemtrailschemtrails
Rated 13 Jan 2010
90
97th
It takes some balls to be this fucking funny
Rated 13 Jan 2010
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 07 Mar 2007
93
98th
The reason why this is one of the best comedies ever, is not necessarily an abundance or quality of jokes. It's more about how effortlessly funny it is. It's like they're barely trying to make you laugh. They are just Spinal Tap. That's why it's so endearing where other comedies are borderline irritating - the humor is so dry and deadpan, it really sucks you into the mockumentary's world. It's also touching and compassionate and doesn't brutalize the band.
Rated 07 Mar 2007
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 11 Aug 2013
95
96th
New favourite moment every time I revisit this THIS TIME ITS THE JAZZ ODYSSEY
Rated 11 Aug 2013
sockmanSockman
Rated 25 Nov 2006
98
99th
"No, we're not gonna fuckin' do Stonehenge"
Rated 25 Nov 2006
ewp805ewp805
Rated 13 Feb 2009
90
94th
It goes to 11.
Rated 13 Feb 2009
mikeypainmikeypain
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
97th
Great satirical masterpiece that takes jabs at the metal scene. McKean and Guest both created a background story for their respective characters as they didn't know what questions Reiner was going to ask. Many references that metal fans may only get. A must have for any fan of metal dating back to the 70's or 80's.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
paxtonPaxton
Rated 01 Aug 2018
95
95th
He choked to death on vomit. It actually wasn't his vomit. I didn't know I could laugh and gag at the same time (but that's cause I don't pay attention to politics) (hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyooooooooo).
Rated 01 Aug 2018
kojilessKojiless
Rated 09 Dec 2011
88
90th
Mime is money... The first and last time anything that came out of Billy Crystal's mouth made me laugh.
Rated 09 Dec 2011
suldrupSuldrup
Rated 03 Jan 2011
85
91st
A cinematic landmark, this work of fiction utilises the documentary form in a clever way. By letting its absurdities take place inside a seemingly rational world, the humorous effect is elevated to insurmountable heights. Simply brilliant. "We can't really talk now, we have to go wait for the limousine."
Rated 03 Jan 2011
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
88
94th
A giant slab of comic genius. The characters are perfect, and the script pure brilliance. Chris Guest (or 'Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest of Saling, in the County of Essex' to give him his full title!) is the star of the show for me. Several viewings are required to appreciate everything this film has to offer. One of the greatest comedy's ever made.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 09 Feb 2009
85
91st
I almost wish I used a 1-12 scale for rateing so I could give this mockumentary an 11.
Rated 09 Feb 2009
purgatospurgatos
Rated 10 May 2008
91
92nd
Every single line is a classic. Every single one.
Rated 10 May 2008
la_bohemela boheme
Rated 02 Mar 2008
95
93rd
11/10.
Rated 02 Mar 2008
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 11 Feb 2008
88
94th
I'd rank it 11 but I actually love this movie.
Rated 11 Feb 2008
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
One of the most quotable movies, perhaps second only to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Unfortunately, overfamiliarity with it has started to dull the experience for me. Still, it's immensely entertaining and some parts still get a laugh.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 08 Jun 2007
9
93rd
If you don't like this movie, well, congratulations cause you just told the world you're an idiot.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
max22max22
Rated 29 Nov 2006
100
91st
A very funny movie because it never winks to the audience; this one plays it straight while the absurd is taking place.
Rated 29 Nov 2006
twincinematwincinema
Rated 24 May 2020
100
98th
The Stonehenge reveal always makes me laugh like a madman, no matter how many times I have seen it.
Rated 24 May 2020
josh_forrestJosh Forrest
Rated 22 Dec 2013
95
99th
Goodnight, Springton. There will be no encores.
Rated 22 Dec 2013
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 02 Dec 2012
49
42nd
The satire is biting and witty, but I didn't find myself laughing that frequently. Maybe it's tied too tightly to the metal scene of the early 1980s, or maybe the stereotypes have so pervaded culture that it frequently seems more documentary than mockumentary, but this is another one of those "masterpieces" that don't do much for me.
Rated 02 Dec 2012
kasperlKasperL
Rated 18 Nov 2012
90
97th
*gushes* ... *mentions "mockumentary"*... *raves* ... *makes "goes to 11" joke* ... *recommends highly*
Rated 18 Nov 2012
jordandcfcJordanDcFc
Rated 06 Aug 2011
90
95th
It's one louder.
Rated 06 Aug 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 20 Sep 2010
92
98th
Shit sandwich.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 28 Nov 2009
9
91st
I am uncertain how you would not enjoy this.
Rated 28 Nov 2009
capttesticleCaptTesticle
Rated 08 Aug 2009
95
98th
Even if Jesus played a guitar with his testicles he couldn't have been more awesome than these guys.
Rated 08 Aug 2009
jebJeb
Rated 26 Nov 2008
98
93rd
This Is Spinal Tap features an abudant amount of mayhem and it's endlessly quotable and memorable in its anthology of ponderous, stupendous and outlandish gags all spoofing the knowledge of Rock N' Roll. One of our leading satires for filmmaking and it's the best the Mockumentary scene has to offer.
Rated 26 Nov 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 08 Sep 2008
95
95th
Rock is and has always been right on the verge of implosion, almost a satire by its very nature (Styx! Poison!). When I had "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" playing in a playlist at a gettogether, someone came up and asked me what band that was, and where he could buy their album. This stuff is so perfect it transcends satire into the real deal.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 29 Aug 2008
71
69th
It's so efficiently funny! You could find humour in every five seconds of film.
Rated 29 Aug 2008
seanfunkseanfunk
Rated 09 Apr 2008
95
98th
First saw it as a teenager and loved it but started loving it even more as I got older and the more you know about the escapades of rock bands the funnier it gets. Chris Guest is a huge talent and I wish he had done more early on. David St Hubbins letting Nigel Tufnel come on stage for a gig after he' s left the band is so close to home.
Rated 09 Apr 2008
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 26 Jan 2008
82
89th
Hysterical and infinitely quotable. Rob Reiner sure doesn't make classics like he did in the mid-80's anymore.
Rated 26 Jan 2008
tonydaltonydal
Rated 30 Sep 2007
90
95th
I always love the chrysalis thing not opening up for the bass player.
Rated 30 Sep 2007
jonquilljonquill
Rated 12 Sep 2007
94
97th
The first and still best of Guest's mockumentaries. He never had better fodder than rock stars.
Rated 12 Sep 2007
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
98th
This is the movie that started it all. The Christopher Guest improvised movie was unheard of until this movie came around. Its documentary style is so shockingly real that the fact that its fiction makes it all the more hilarious.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
81st
If you enjoy metal and you don't like Spinal Tap, you have no sense of humor. It hits all of the cliche aging metal stereotypes on the head. This acting team can do no wrong.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 24 May 2007
92
93rd
Incredibly funny, even to someone who's not intimately familiar with the personalities and controversies of the rock scene it satirizes.
Rated 24 May 2007
saucyjacksaucyjack
Rated 22 May 2007
95
98th
Absolutely brilliant. Even more hilarious if you know and understand the history behind rock, but still many gags packed into the frame that can be gotten with no knowledge of rock and roll. One of the greatest scripts never written...The majority of the film was ad libbed. Also, a film that seems to improve with age and repeat viewings. My favorite comedy and a must-see.
Rated 22 May 2007
neonmanNeonman
Rated 26 Apr 2022
66
27th
Fairly fun and funny, but didn't have me screaming from laughter, nor did I think its satire had much point, so it ends up a bit of a lightweight comedy film. Some of the improv results in some of the funniest moments, but then again ... you can really tell what's improv and what isn't, which can make me disengaged. I'm no metal fan, so maybe I missed some of the more subtle humor, if there's any.
Rated 26 Apr 2022
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 18 Jul 2018
80
74th
Skewers heavy metal bands and the music business so many times that some of its memes and catchphrases have become more famous and enduring than the events and people that inspired them. Would we have Wayne's World or The Darkness without Spinal Tap? How about The Office? Spinal Tap globalised the mockumentary format. Packed with great ideas and flamboyant execution. After 30 years it's still the principal yardstick for satirical comedy.
Rated 18 Jul 2018
pfightmasterPfightmaster
Rated 12 Apr 2018
87
91st
None more black.
Rated 12 Apr 2018
obdurateObdurate
Rated 14 Jan 2017
45
12th
Meh. A few lines did it for me and got a smile, but I never outright laughed. I don't know if it's my general disinterest in this era of rock/metal that made me uninterested in this as well, but I just didn't find it that humorous. There are certainly some fine moments so I wouldn't say it's terrible, but this is one widely praised film that I'm just not into.
Rated 14 Jan 2017
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 10 Oct 2016
70
70th
Rob Reiner and Spinal Tap have succeeded in creating a totally realistic and believable mockumentary, and at the same time a very funny one. The acting and dialogues are great in a film that feels like a parody of but also a tribute to the big rock and metal acts of the '80s. Paired with Spinal Tap's hilarious original songs, "This Is Spinal Tap" is a very enjoyable cult phenomenon, significant for both cinema and music.
Rated 10 Oct 2016
beedubBeeDub
Rated 13 Jul 2015
92
84th
Hilarious and groundbreaking mockumentary.
Rated 13 Jul 2015
patanupatanu
Rated 12 Jun 2014
86
80th
The thing i always enjoy about documentries is what i learn from it. I didn't learn a thing other then 11 is higher number then 10, i like it all the same.
Rated 12 Jun 2014
sofielykkesofielykke
Rated 16 Mar 2014
80
65th
"you can't really dust for vomit"
Rated 16 Mar 2014
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 25 Mar 2012
80
65th
A lot drier than I anticipated. It was amusing more than laugh-out-loud funny. In that end I was kind of disappointed because I expected to be rolling the whole way. I still liked it quite a bit, especially the small scene with Fred Willard and the Stonehenge debacle. The songs were really funny and had the most consistent surface laughs. I suspect I'll like it more upon repeated viewings as it seems like a quoteable film that gets better with age. Rob Reiner bugs me, but he's barely there.
Rated 25 Mar 2012
beebeedeedopbeebeedeedop
Rated 14 Feb 2012
100
91st
The guitarist for U2 said about this movie: "When I watched this movie, I didn't laugh, I cried, because it was so true." Or something like that. This satirical portrayal of a rockstar's life is genius.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 11 Dec 2011
90
93rd
"As long as there are sex and drugs I could do without the rock and roll"
Rated 11 Dec 2011
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 23 Oct 2011
90
63rd
It's funny and the cast is great, This is Spinal Tap blows the rooftops.
Rated 23 Oct 2011
noncuronon_curo
Rated 13 Mar 2011
93
87th
Up to 11!
Rated 13 Mar 2011
rubanddugRubAndDug
Rated 09 Mar 2011
75
63rd
Great piece of factual cinema. How else could we have known of the 32 drummers dying inexplicably? Not as good as "Forgotten Silver", but it definitely has it's iconoclastic moments making it worth a watch.
Rated 09 Mar 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 20 Jan 2011
96
94th
I thought this was funny the first time I saw it. I loved it even more the second time. "This is Spinal Tap" is one of the best mockumentaries ever. Very, very funny with a lot of great deadpan humor.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 16 Jan 2011
90
85th
After re-watching Spinal Tap this most recent time, I've decided that "Gimme Some Money" is the most hilarious and most under-remembered song in the movie. Maybe my new favourite part. That'll change when I re-watch it, though, as it always does.
Rated 16 Jan 2011
nobletNoblet
Rated 06 Jan 2011
85
84th
Excellent satire of rock & roll culture.
Rated 06 Jan 2011
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 28 Nov 2010
7
58th
The best thing that can be said about TIST is how authentic it feels in its engaging presentation of a "rock band"'s wild and pretentious behavior. Although laden with smart and funny dialogues, I didn't find myself bursting into laughter (aside from the hilarious mime waiter scene, need to get me one of those...). All in all, a very good mockumentary, which I hope will evoke, after repeat viewings, the same rousing feeling my fellow critickers have experienced.
Rated 28 Nov 2010
sweekodenSweekoden
Rated 08 Sep 2010
71
65th
What's wrong with being sexy?
Rated 08 Sep 2010
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 03 Sep 2010
90
96th
It took me a second view, but now I understand why this film is considered the best comedy of all time. What are the essential elements of a great comedy: well written characters with excellent performances; tons of quotable lines; a good story and focused direction that will keep everything in it's place. "This is Spinal Tap" has it all and more!
Rated 03 Sep 2010
marlinbrandoMarlinbrando
Rated 06 Aug 2010
90
86th
"Shark Sandwich? No "S*#% Sandwich"
Rated 06 Aug 2010
cclxndrcclxndr
Rated 01 Aug 2010
100
99th
11 (out of 10!) Satirical mocumentary at its finest; no followers can compare. A hilarious portrayal to the road of rock n roll fame, and all the egoism and shallow philosophizing that develops along with it.
Rated 01 Aug 2010
justJu_St
Rated 30 May 2010
80
90th
these go to eleven
Rated 30 May 2010
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 14 May 2010
85
87th
"We've got Armadillos in our trousers. It's really quite frightening."
Rated 14 May 2010
tripper54tripper54
Rated 29 Nov 2009
95
93rd
best mockumentary ever
Rated 29 Nov 2009
frostyFrosty
Rated 07 Oct 2009
85
93rd
How much more good could this be? and the answer is none. None more good.
Rated 07 Oct 2009
leekennleekenn
Rated 04 Sep 2009
82
75th
Some epically funny parts. Maybe not up to the extreme hype that it seems to get these days, but that doesn't mean it's not worth seeing.
Rated 04 Sep 2009
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 01 Aug 2009
100
99th
I wish this would let me go up to 111.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
carnageacecarnageace
Rated 11 Apr 2009
94
97th
Just fantastic. The number one example as to how to make a mocumentry, often imitated, never bettered.
Rated 11 Apr 2009
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 09 Apr 2009
100
93rd
Witty, wickedly accurate satire that skewers the pretensions of rock musicians and their hangers-on, done in documentary style. It hits the target with total precision.
Rated 09 Apr 2009
liltxgal98liltxgal98
Rated 11 Feb 2009
100
92nd
Another genius work from Christopher Guest..and yes it goes to 11
Rated 11 Feb 2009
madderrootmadderroot
Rated 14 Jan 2009
83
87th
"he exploded on stage" :)
Rated 14 Jan 2009
imthatdingoImThatDingo
Rated 06 Jan 2009
95
94th
Tonight I'm gonna rock you, tonight! =D
Rated 06 Jan 2009
dziekieldziekiel
Rated 16 Dec 2008
95
97th
Freaking hilarious. Period. 11/10.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 18 Nov 2008
11
12th
Seriously...that's a good score :D
Rated 18 Nov 2008
jhamakerjhamaker
Rated 21 Aug 2008
65
9th
The whole mocumentary concept just doesn't work for me and I never felt engaged by Spinal Tap.
Rated 21 Aug 2008
hankhank
Rated 19 Jul 2008
95
98th
Such a classic. The Stonehenge part is legendary.
Rated 19 Jul 2008
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 14 Jun 2008
89
93rd
Brilliant satire that holds up despite repeat viewings, and is insanely quotable as well. The film that perfected the mockumentary.
Rated 14 Jun 2008
gritGrit
Rated 23 May 2008
81
87th
While not often funny in a "laugh-out-loud" kind of way, there is no doubting that Spinal Tap is a great comedy spoof with some very memorable moments and some stand out parodies of the 80's rock scene. Although first impressions may not live up to the reputation that this film has gained, some time spent with the movie reveals the numerous layers of humour and plot that make it oddly believable and such a good mockumentary. You'd need some knowledge of 80's metal to get the most out of it.
Rated 23 May 2008
hodgehodge
Rated 16 May 2008
100
99th
This film was made for me.
Rated 16 May 2008
filliganFilligan
Rated 02 May 2008
87
67th
Just the DVD menu made me laugh. I think this movie had a lot of perspective. Too much fucking perspective.
Rated 02 May 2008
phaedrusphaedrus
Rated 16 Feb 2008
95
99th
There is no point in writing a review of this film.
Rated 16 Feb 2008
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 08 Feb 2008
93
97th
Tremendously awesome for being over 20 years old and not feeling the slightest bit dated. Genius concept, as well. And I could be wrong, but the percentage of gags that work here is probably running at about 75%. A 30% success rate of "funny-to-not funny" is usually enough to be considered a massive success, but this just destroys most comedies.
Rated 08 Feb 2008
emsimmons75emsimmons75
Rated 31 Jan 2008
94
97th
Definitely in my top ten, if not my top five. This movie continues to make me laught out loud over and over again. And the DVD extras are even funnier!
Rated 31 Jan 2008
fuzzixfuzzix
Rated 12 Jan 2008
90
97th
Perfect.
Rated 12 Jan 2008
harukoHaruko
Rated 01 Jan 2008
70
43rd
I propably missed a bunch of the jokes because of my inadequate knowledge on the genre but yeah, stone henge was funny as hell :D
Rated 01 Jan 2008
jarmannJarmann
Rated 08 Nov 2007
90
93rd
I will never ever grow tired of this epic movie.
Rated 08 Nov 2007
pebapeba
Rated 14 Oct 2007
100
94th
The most amazing docu-drama ever
Rated 14 Oct 2007
mspraguemsprague
Rated 17 Sep 2007
90
96th
There is so much about this that is funny. Filmed as a mock-doc makes this super entertaining as the characters spew the most hilarious and ridiculous statements. Fantastic fun!
Rated 17 Sep 2007
drxcapioDrxCapio
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
91st
Hilarious. Christopher Guest at his best. I still laugh uncontrollably at the Pod People scene.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
99th
This is quite possibly the funniest movie ever made, especially if you liked heavy metal in the 80's like me. This flick was mostly improvised on set, and the DVD has nearly 90 minutes of deleted scenes and alternate takes that are just as funny as the ones in the film. A must-see.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
95th
This NOT a documentary how????? Reputed that one of the Re Hot Cilli Peppers recommends tis as what to watch for when starting a band as well as ( my personal fave) I think Liam Gllagher's fave film till he found it's a mockumentary. So much to watch out for (like all Christsopher Guest's mockumentary's) like "the Nanny's" Fran Drescher telling them her company won't release the Lp 'cos it's sexist... Amongst MANY others, priceless
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fbcFBC
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
94th
Hilarious.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 14 Aug 2007
2
39th
Not as hilarious as is often said, but still pretty good and fairly amusing at points.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
woozybWoozyB
Rated 11 Jun 2007
95
94th
Quite possibly the best mockumentary ever filmed, though it drags near the end.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
jezclaytonJezclayton
Rated 02 Jun 2007
89
68th
For rock fans, especially aspiring musicians. Probable the best spoof ever.
Rated 02 Jun 2007
audhumlaAudhumla
Rated 16 Apr 2007
98
98th
it goes to eleven hahaha
Rated 16 Apr 2007
bizortbizort
Rated 01 Apr 2007
94
97th
I can't believe I went 26 years on this planet and hadn't seen this until recently
Rated 01 Apr 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 07 Mar 2007
4
70th
A riot. "You can't dust for vomit."
Rated 07 Mar 2007
magbMagb
Rated 02 Feb 2007
95
94th
This Is Spinal Tap is a perfect example of why the best comedy always comes from character. When you have three characters as great as these, there's no way the result is going to be anything but funny. Listen to the in-character cast commentary if you don't believe me.
Rated 02 Feb 2007
rotaciravrotacirav
Rated 24 Aug 2024
45
36th
some good jokes, but satire should generally be more intelligent than its subject
Rated 24 Aug 2024
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
60
39th
Quite a fun ride. The film has a nice sense of humour, sometimes funny, mostly amusing,
Rated 19 Feb 2024

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