It’s been 41 years since Rob Reiner’s This Is Spinal Tap cranked things up to 11 in the mockumentary space in 1984. Now it’s prepping for the comeback tour of the ages with Bleecker Street and Fathom Entertainment re-releasing the film in 4K in cinemas this summer.
And this time, a puppet show is not the headliner.
Created by Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, This Is Spinal Tap follows England’s loudest band on the road (well, at least “one louder” than everyone else, thanks to Nigel’s amps). The band’s all here: David St. Hubbins (McKean) and Nigel Tufnel (Guest) on vocals and guitar, Derek Smalls (Shearer) on bass, Viv Savage (David Kaff) on keys, and Mick Shrimpton (Atomic Rooster drummer R.J. Parnell) on drums.
A tale of doomed drummers dying in bizarre gardening accidents, none more black album cover art, an ill-advised experimental jazz odyssey, miniature bread on the rider, two-word reviews, and an iconic Fran Drescher appearance, This Is Spinal Tap defies explanation. It’s the kind of film fans try to explain to their friends but would be better off just showing them — believe me, playing the song “Stonehenge” for your unsuspecting mates as you’re approaching the actual Stonehenge is not the sublime intro you think it will be.
The re-release has been timed to bring new audiences in for the long-awaited sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, on Sept. 12, with the cast reprising their now iconic roles and a host of cameos promised including Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John.
This Is Spinal Tap Golden 41st Anniversary Re-Release hits cinemas July 5 to 7.
