Andrew J. Lederer

This Is Spinal Tap -- Mock rockumentary about a Heavy Metal band on the verge of spontaneous combustion

“Such a fine line between stupid and clever.” “None more black.” “This one goes to 11.” Audiences didn’t quite know what to make of This is Spinal Tap when it first hit movie theaters in 1984. Was it a comedy, or a real-life documentary about a British heavy metal band on a disastrous comeback tour? Actually, it was something else entirely and the first of its kind: the “mockumentary.” Rob Reiner's directorial debut is the story of Spinal Tap, an aging group of rockers with one last shot at fame and glory. Called “the funniest movie ever made about rock and roll” (Newsweek) and ranked #1 on Entertainment Weekly’s “Top 50 Cult Films of All-Time,” it’s the comedy phenomenon that will rock your socks off.

Spinal Tap, the world's loudest band, is chronicled by hack documentarian Marti DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.

Spinal Tap, the world's loudest band, is chronicled by hack documentarian Marti DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.