Synopsis for
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) More at IMDbPro »

Neophyte Director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) presents this "Rockumentary" showcasing the North American tour of aging rockers Spïnal Tap. Band members David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derick Smalls (Harry Shearer) form the core of the group, with various drummers dying over the years in freak accidents or through spontaneous human combustion. The band is set to promote their new record, "Smell the Glove," featuring a degrading photograph of a woman in bondage smelling a glove. The cover is deemed too offensive for many chain-stores, and is redone in 100% black, lacking a band logo or even a title.

As the tour progresses, the audiences grow increasingly sparse and apparently confused by the all-black record sleeve. When St. Hubbins' girlfriend/wife/love interest joins the tour, ostensibly to replace long-time Manager Ian (Tony Hendra), it all becomes too much for Nigel's fragile ego, and he quits the group. They soldier on as "Spïnal Tap II" without a lead guitarist, but the magic is gone.

Finally, at the group's last show, Nigel reappears with a message from Ian: the single "Sex Farm" is a big hit in Japan and promoters would be interested in booking the band for a tour there. Spïnal Tap is thus reborn, even as another drummer explodes.