The cult classic will be given a Criterion release ahead of its theatrical sequel
Spinal Tap has come to be recognized as England’s loudest and most punctual band. The legendary rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap has been beautifully restored and set for a 4K UHD three-disc release on September 16th as part of The Criterion Collection.
In the 1984 comedy, Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) embark on their final American tour, with filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) capturing all the mishaps, creative tensions, dwindling crowds, and ill-fated drummers. This Is Spinal Tap takes DiBergi’s brilliant vérité style and turns it up to eleven!
A new 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Rob Reiner, with a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and an alternate 2.0 uncompressed stereo soundtrack will be available on the 4K UHD disc. The film will be presented in Dolby Vision HDR.
Two Blu-rays will also be included with the film on one disc and the bonus features on the other, including three audio commentaries (one with actors Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; one with Reiner, producer Karen Murphy, and editors Robert Leighton and Kent Beyda; and one with band members Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls); new conversation between Reiner and actor Patton Oswalt; The Cutting Room Floor featuring outtakes, alternate takes, and abandoned subplots; Spinal Tap: The Final Tour (1981); trailers, promotional spots, media appearances, music videos, and commercials; English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; plus an essay by critic Alex Pappademas
New cover art was designed by Dan Goldsworthy.
Fathom Entertainment and Bleecker Street are bringing the remastered, remixed, and definitive 4K restoration of the cult classic masterpiece to theaters on July 5-7, ahead of the September 12th release of its upcoming sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
This fall, Reiner is returning to direct the sequel that sees Guest, McKean, and Shearer reprise their roles as the members of Spinal Tap. Reiner will also be back as Marty Di Bergi, the documentarian.
The premise involves the band reuniting after 15 years for one final show, sparked by an old Spinal Tap song going viral on social media. The daughter of their late manager, Ian Faith, has inherited a contract calling for one more performance, which becomes valuable due to the song’s unexpected popularity.
Cameos include Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Questlove, and Trisha Yearwood. Fran Drescher is also reprising her role as Bobbi Flekman, and Paul Shaffer is confirmed to be in the cast, though it’s not confirmed if he’ll be reprising his role as Artie Fufkin.
