Principal cast
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner and June Chadwick
Film 339 of 342 on the Screen Path
This Is Spinal Tap
Prepare to crank those amps up to eleven.
About the film
This Is Spinal Tap at a glance.
Screen Path places this 1984 film at stop 339 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.
Key craft credits
Peter Smokler (director of photography), Kent Beyda (editor), Kim Secrist (editor), Christopher Guest (original music composer) and Harry Shearer (original music composer)
- Director
- Rob Reiner
- Release
- 1984-03-02
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Genres
- Comedy and Music
- Country
- United States
- Quiz
- 50 questions
The Screen Path journey
Before. After. Remember.
The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.
01
Before you watch
Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.
Spoiler-free02
After the film
Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.
Contains spoilers03
Quiz yourself
Answer 50 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.
50 questions in this journeyCitizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.
Start the example →Full cast
Full cast
- Christopher GuestCharacter: Nigel Tufnel
- Michael McKeanCharacter: David St. Hubbins
- Harry ShearerCharacter: Derek Smalls
- Rob ReinerCharacter: Marty DiBergi
- June ChadwickCharacter: Jeanine Pettibone
- Tony HendraCharacter: Ian Faith
- Bruno KirbyCharacter: Tommy Pischedda
- Ed Begley Jr.Character: John 'Stumpy' Pepys
- Paul BenedictCharacter: Tucker 'Smitty' Brown
- Zane BuzbyCharacter: Rolling Stone Reporter
- Billy CrystalCharacter: Morty the Mime
- Howard HessemanCharacter: Terry Ladd
Full crew
Full crew
- Rob ReinerCredits: Director, Writer, Original Music Composer
- Harry ShearerCredits: Original Music Composer, Writer
- Kim SecristCredits: Editor
- Michael McKeanCredits: Writer, Original Music Composer
- Eve BrandsteinCredits: Casting
- Christopher GuestCredits: Original Music Composer, Writer
- Peter SmoklerCredits: Director of Photography
- Kent BeydaCredits: Editor
- Karen MurphyCredits: Producer
- Bryan JonesCredits: Production Design
- Michele PayneCredits: Makeup & Hair
- Beth BergeronCredits: Sound Editor
- John BrasherCredits: Supervising Sound Editor
- Gregg RudloffCredits: Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- Lindsay DoranCredits: Executive In Charge Of Production
- Cary GliebermanCredits: Unit Production Manager
- Art TostadoCredits: Color Timer
- Donald NewmanCredits: First Assistant Director
- Anne RappCredits: Continuity
- Skip CookCredits: Best Boy Grip
- Robert EberCredits: Sound Mixer
- Victor AbbeneCredits: Electrician
- Jane CovnerCredits: Unit Publicist
- Tommy EstridgeCredits: Property Master
- Irwin MarcusCredits: Second Assistant Director
- Billy G. ArterCredits: Transportation Coordinator
- Kenneth KarmanCredits: Music Editor
- Bill MeurerCredits: Gaffer
Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.