I’ve never been one for the standard “What’s your favorite movie/band/album/etc…” question as I’ve always found it near-impossible to answer. However, certain titles will almost always instantly pop up when pried, and in the case of films, 1984’s This is Spinal Tap usually is my go-to answer as far as personal favorites go (without a doubt at least in the comedy genre, if not overall).

Originally released on March 2, 1984, there’s simply something comforting about the movie and its characters that will almost always make me stop if it’s playing somewhere. I can’t really recall the first time I ever watched it in full, but I definitely remember many a times watching it; sometimes with friends while sharing drinks and laughs, other times alone in the middle of the night while simply battling insomnia. Either way, the ‘Tap have just always been there for me, one way or another.

Set up as a documentary (or “mockumentary,” if you will) with actual director Rob Reiner portraying a filmmaker chronicling the fictitious band Spinal Tap’s storied history within the film itself, it’s so realistic it almost feels real as he interviews David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), and the numerous drummers that came and passed throughout the years (one of many running gags).

Copy of This is Spinal Tap on DVD and the band’s 1992 album Break Like the Wind on CD from the author’s personal collection.

From getting lost on the way to the stage, to Stonehenge and amps that “go to eleven,” there’s no shortage of genius classic moments and quotable lines that can be found. Even the companion soundtrack, with such masterpieces as “Big Bottom” (with lines like “Talk about mud flaps, my gal’s got ’em!”), “Hell Hole,” and “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight,” are all brilliant in their own ways.

The lasting impact of the film cannot be understated. From McKean and Shearer appearing as their respective characters St. Hubbins and Smalls on the charity group Hear ‘n Aid’s 1986 single “Stars,” to the band appearing on a 1992 episode of The Simpsons (not a far stretch considering both McKean and Shearer had each already done voice work on the show prior). The “band” themselves have also since occasionally performed live and even released the albums Break Like the Wind (1992) and Back From the Dead (2009).

Plans of a sequel were first announced in 2022, with reports that filming had started (with Reiner and the core cast members all attached) early this year. Whether or not the new film will be a worthy follow up or not still remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure there’s no denying the legacy the film – and Spinal Tap themselves – have created. Turn it up to eleven, and enjoy.