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First screened on BBC2 in 1978, at a time when the standing of The Beatles was at its lowest, The Rutles--All You Need is Cash is the original and (pace This is Spinal Tap) best "rockumentary" spoof. Codirector Eric Idle was then enjoying success with Rutland Weekend Television, while his script displays the same feeling for the inane non-sequitur evident in his Monty Python work. The band's progress from "penniless, untalented nobodies" to "rich, untalented somebodies" is vividly brought to life--with dialogue adapted from actual Beatles interviews and newsreels, and a roster of songs sounding uncannily close to Beatles originals thanks to "Nasty" Neil Innes' genius for pastiche. Interviews with a suitably primed Mick Jagger and Paul Simon give added realism, as do cameos from George Harrison (one-time Beach Boy Rikki Fataar plays his Rutles double Stig) and Stones guitarist Ron Wood. Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi make characterful, pre-Blues Brothers appearances.
On the DVD: The Rutles--All You Need is Cash has come up well in this DVD transfer. The fullscreen 4:3 ratio picture and mono sound wear their age well, enhanced by the extra scenes included. There's further interview material with Jagger and Simon, and a specially recorded, though wholly unfunny, DVD introduction from Idle, who also contributes a running commentary. All in all, this is an ideal way to get to know, or renew acquaintance with, a film that brings the swinging 60s back down to earth. --Richard Whitehouse
Product Description
Mock rockumentary, parodying the rise of a legendary pop band, that features a host of cameos from the likes of Mick Jagger, Paul Simon and George Harrison. Dirk (Eric Idle), Stig (Rikki Fataar), Ron (Neil Innes) and Barry (John Halsey) are the Rutles, a 'fab four' who, after a star appearance on Rutland Weekland Television, shock and rock the nation with such classics as: 'Ouch!', 'Piggy in the Middle', 'Cheese and Onions', 'Love Life' and 'Doubleback Alley'. The clever, Beatles-esque pastiches were all composed by Monty Python collaborator and Bonzo Dog Band member, Neil Innes.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful
By J. Punter
Format:DVD
I feel the need to write this review because a previous reviewer has in my opinion seriously misled people by giving the impression it is necesary to hate the Beatles to like the Rutles. This is no more true than suggesting that you must dislike heavy metal to like "This is Spinal Tap". Indeed in both cases if you understand the music, its creators and their history you will get more out of the mockumentaries. The Rutles only requires a sense of humour not a sense of hatred to see its genious.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By nicjaytee
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Still surprisingly effective, and the template for its far more popular and successful successor, "This is Spinal Tap", "All You Need is Cash" is its own magical mystery tour... a bizarre journey through the Beatles' story that twists & turns between the inspired and the downright silly but which, in the end, gets you there.
First off, Eric Idle's opening narration leaves you feeling that you're on some kind of second-rate Monty Python jaunt but, pretty soon thereafter, you hit the first of Neil Innes' brilliantly written and performed pastiches of Beatles' songs and things get much more impressive. And, from here on, it's a roller-coaster ride through some hilariously good and other, fairly weak re-workings of the Fab Four's career including brilliant send-ups of "Magical Mystery Tour", the Apple Corps debacle, "Yellow Submarine" and the "Get Back" rooftop session. But what makes this whole weird & wonderful ride hang together is the music... inspired, "tongue in cheek" gems that are so good that it's often difficult to remember they're not in fact original Beatles recordings. And, finally, the DVD's additional "deleted scenes" from the film's interviews with Mick Jagger & Paul Simon add fascinating insights into how The Beatles impacted on them while providing some wonderfully unintentional entertainment as they both struggle to remember that they should be talking about "The Rutles" rather than the real thing.
But what makes the film really interesting is that it's much closer to the reality of what actually went on than you may think. George Harrison's involvement as an actor in it, coupled with his close association with Eric Idle and the Monty Python team suggests that a great deal of "insider knowledge" was involved...... Read more ›
First off, Eric Idle's opening narration leaves you feeling that you're on some kind of second-rate Monty Python jaunt but, pretty soon thereafter, you hit the first of Neil Innes' brilliantly written and performed pastiches of Beatles' songs and things get much more impressive. And, from here on, it's a roller-coaster ride through some hilariously good and other, fairly weak re-workings of the Fab Four's career including brilliant send-ups of "Magical Mystery Tour", the Apple Corps debacle, "Yellow Submarine" and the "Get Back" rooftop session. But what makes this whole weird & wonderful ride hang together is the music... inspired, "tongue in cheek" gems that are so good that it's often difficult to remember they're not in fact original Beatles recordings. And, finally, the DVD's additional "deleted scenes" from the film's interviews with Mick Jagger & Paul Simon add fascinating insights into how The Beatles impacted on them while providing some wonderfully unintentional entertainment as they both struggle to remember that they should be talking about "The Rutles" rather than the real thing.
But what makes the film really interesting is that it's much closer to the reality of what actually went on than you may think. George Harrison's involvement as an actor in it, coupled with his close association with Eric Idle and the Monty Python team suggests that a great deal of "insider knowledge" was involved...... Read more ›
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Cat Black
Format:DVD
I saw this show when it aired. I loved it then and still love it now. An inspired idea, brilliantly realised. And still laugh out loud funny after all this time.
Having said that, the back cover of this edition proclaims: Brand new transfer (to DVD one assumes) so why did they get the sound balance so wrong? The commentary is much louder than many of the song sequences - notably Hold My Hand, Love Life, etc. And the special features are rubbish - unedited, clumbsy and unfunny outtakes from the Jagger/Simon interview sessions and Eric Idle's pointless 23 years on intro. Hence, four not five stars.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Rutles is a parody of The Beatles. It is a one off film that is not hysterically funny but is an entertaining bit of fun. The Fictional Rutles tells the Beatles story in such a way that it is believable and true. You can ask yourself the question why bother re telling the Beatles story but with different names and songs? Well it's simply the fun of making a convincingly fake Beatles story with a humorous distortion of the true story.
The film is a documentary style history of the Rutles. The costumes, the sets, the sixties re creations, the location shots and the fake interviews with real famous people like Mick Jagger and Paul Simon who apparently knew the Rutles, make this look realistic There is humour in the distortion of famous names, song titles and Beatles historic moments.
The best thing about this film is the music. Without a doubt this is the element that makes it all work. Because to be honest I did not find the script very funny and the fun of the visual parody of the Beatles story can struggle to maintain attention for a long period on its own. The music is original to the Rutles. I mean yes it is a parody of Beatles songs with contributions such as "hold my hand" and "Cheese and Onion", but the tunes and words are all brilliant originals by Neil Innes. There was a UK hit single from this project this was "I must be in love". This is a great example. It isn't a Beatles tune but it sounds like one, and it uses the same sort of harmonies that the Beatles used in their "Love me do"," Cant buy me love", and "she love you" era.
The Rutles film was a one off special by Eric Idle, David Battley, and Neil Innes after a successful run of the comedy series Rutland Weekend Television.... Read more ›
The film is a documentary style history of the Rutles. The costumes, the sets, the sixties re creations, the location shots and the fake interviews with real famous people like Mick Jagger and Paul Simon who apparently knew the Rutles, make this look realistic There is humour in the distortion of famous names, song titles and Beatles historic moments.
The best thing about this film is the music. Without a doubt this is the element that makes it all work. Because to be honest I did not find the script very funny and the fun of the visual parody of the Beatles story can struggle to maintain attention for a long period on its own. The music is original to the Rutles. I mean yes it is a parody of Beatles songs with contributions such as "hold my hand" and "Cheese and Onion", but the tunes and words are all brilliant originals by Neil Innes. There was a UK hit single from this project this was "I must be in love". This is a great example. It isn't a Beatles tune but it sounds like one, and it uses the same sort of harmonies that the Beatles used in their "Love me do"," Cant buy me love", and "she love you" era.
The Rutles film was a one off special by Eric Idle, David Battley, and Neil Innes after a successful run of the comedy series Rutland Weekend Television.... Read more ›
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Phil Clark
Format:DVD
Charting the career of the Pre-Fab Four - the fabulous Rutles - in mock-documentary style, this is a perhaps somewhat dated item now, but still very funny to those in the know. The 1978 Rutles TV special was developed from short sketches originally aired on "Saturday Night Live" (in the US) and the largely forgotten Eric Idle vehicle "Rutland Weekend Television" (in the UK): here it is again for your amusement. Some familarity with the oft-told story of that other Sixties beat combo is required, however, since the gags will only make sense if you understand the jokes behind them. If you don't get it, then just enjoy the music: Neil Innes' genius for pastiche shines throughout on the soundtrack. Watch out also for the cheeky use of real footage from the actual real Ed Sullivan show, and lots of cameos (Mick Jagger being a particular highlight). Ignore the DVD extras though - they really needn't have bothered - I'm shocked, and stunned, myself.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real gem
This is a legendary piece of work, and rightly so. It's really well done, and the guest appearances are great too. The music is so clever. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Julie Harm
5.0 out of 5 stars
For all Beatles fans!
Eric Idle at his best comically reviewing the history of the Beatles. Great music from Neil Innes compliments the mock documentary.
Published 7 months ago by rod101cats
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly entertaining, great music and don't miss the commentary.
A Rock mockumentary about the Beatles that hasn't aged a bit and still is a great fun to watch.
Great Beatles-like music written by Neil Innes, sometimes referred to... Read more
Great Beatles-like music written by Neil Innes, sometimes referred to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Say No More 67
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Rutles
The Rutles is a parody of The Beatles. It is a one off film that is not hysterically funny but is an entertaining bit of fun. Read more
Published on 24 May 2011 by Miss M. Potter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rutlemania!
Roll Up! Roll Up! Ladies and Gentlemen! Take a trip on the Rutles "Tragical History Tour Bus", witness the birth of a legend as Ron Nasty (Neil Innes) accidently bumps into Dirk... Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2010 by Alan James "Maebuschfan"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Neil Innes - unrecognisd genius?
Whilst I wouldn't say that this film will have you rolling on the floor in hysterics, it is sufficiently entertaining and amusing to make it a very enjoyable experience. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2010 by The Mole from the Ministry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Widescreen
I already had The Rutles special edition DVD but bought this coz it said it was WIDESCREEN. Its not. Its just like the previous release. The extras are better on this. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2010 by Barry Wom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do a Poo Poo
Outstanding affectionate dig at the Beatles that manages to be absolutely bloody hilarious and brilliantly clever at creating songs that you swear you've heard before - "I Must Be... Read more
Published on 30 April 2010 by P. Bessant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top comedy
I got this Dvd because I remember it on tv all those years ago,it made me laugh now as it did then.This is comedy like it should be.....Funny. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Mr. G. R. Dyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rutles - a classic
Superb. The original was an inspired spoof in the best Spinal Tap tradition. The film hasn't dated and having extras such as an interview with the brilliant Neil Innes was the... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2009 by jon F.
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