spinal tap

This Is Spinal Tap is a 1984 American mockumentary comedy film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner.

The film follows Martin "Marty" Di Bergi(Reiner), a documentary filmmaker who follows the fictional English Heavy Metal rock band, Spinal Tap, during their American tour for their latest album Smell the Glove. While the documentary follows the three most prominent members of the band, vocalist David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), guitarist Nigel Tufnel(Christopher Guest) and bassist Derek Smalls(Harry Shearer), the film also show the eccentric and bizarre behavior of each member, the tour getting worse, and the ego and infighting by the band over their musical directions.

The film was a hit and well received by critics with several rock bands and singers like Ozzy Osbourne praising the film for showing the crazy life of rock bands on tour. A 2025 sequel titled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, with most of the cast returning, has Marty making a new documentary where the members of Spinal Tap reunite for one final concert.