The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash [DVD] [1978]

Essentially an extension of a RWT sketch, later extended for Idle's appearance on "Saturday Night Live", The Rutles were the sensations of the 60s that bore a bit of a resemblance to another group of the time. "All You Need Is Cash" is the story of the loveable moptops Dirk, Stig, Barry and Nasty, as the Pre-Fab 4 climb the ladder of success, only to smack their heads on every rung on the way down.

Both Python scholars and Beatles scholars will love this, as it not only includes inspired Pythonesque gags, but also works effectively as a precursor to the Beatles' own "Anthology". Idle had access to a private Beatles' film called "The Long & Winding Road", and parodied huge chunks of this secret footage. This rare footage later appeared in the "Anthology" series, so a lot of gags that weren't obvious in 1978 should be a lot more obvious now!.

The period detail is fantastic - "Yellow Submarine Sandwich" being a personal favourite - with Neil Innes' musical pastiches - "Ouch!", "Cheese & Onions", "Sgt Rutter's Dart's Club Band" - being virtually indistinguishable from the real thing!

Expect lots of Idle's inane banter, with cameos galore from the likes of Roger McGough, Ronnie Wood, Bill Murray, Michael Palin, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bianca Jagger and a certain Mr G. Harrison....whoever he is.......

"All You Need Is Cash" is flawless - period detail, spot-on musical pastiches and an infallible cast. It does make more sense if viewed after watching the offical "Anthology", but also works well as an overlooked classic of Pythonesque proportions! Cheap at twice the price, with cult viewing stamped all over it!

Even if you aren't aware of the in-jokes, it's funny enough to have you in stiches. Cameo appearances from Mick Jagger and Paul Simon add an authenticity to the band's story. The late great George Harrison also appears in the movie as a reporter outside the band's London offices obviously thoroughly enjoying his part in what must have been a great movie to work on. The songs of Niel Innes are good enough to stand up in their own right but will have the viewers racing to pin-point what Beatle song it's mimicking. Ouch (Help), A Girl Like You (If I fell), Cheese and Onions (Day in the Life).

'All you need is cash' could be loosely described as the movie version of the book 'Paperback Writer'. Or maybe you could say it's done for the story of the Beatles what 'The Life of Brian' did for the life story of Jesus. Or perhaps you could say it's the baby boomers equivalent of 'Spinal Tap'. Whatever you say about this movie cannot prepare you enough for how much you're going to love it.

Dave Creighton