This Is Spinal Tap

A documentary, a mockumentary, indeed a rockumentary, Rob Reiner's phony road movie following the exploits of a fictitious heavy metal band has long been celebrated as a comedy landmark, but this is the first attempt to provide a sustained critical appraisal of its success. Addressing general cinephiles and devoted Tapheads alike, this study considers the film within its contexts of cult cinema, real and mock documentary, Hollywood comedies and musicals and the history of rock music. This detailed stylistic and comic analysis of the film offers new insights into the ardent Cult of Tap.