The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews

not quite the Beatles ...

[didi-5 · 7/10 · 31 July 2004]

This affectionate spoof of The Beatles rise to fame and fortunes after their split was a collaboration between a couple of Pythons, some of the SNL cast, and Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Band. It's an interesting combination, which grew from bits in the Rutland Weekend Television show.

With a soundtrack featuring the likes of 'Ouch!' (instead of Help!); 'Get Up And Go' (instead of Get Back), and an animated 'Cheese and Onions', you just know this is going to be silly. The thing is that the songs by Innes are just brilliant, as memorable as anything the Fab Four did.

But The Rutles are The Prefab Four, so let's concentrate on their story. Eric Idle has the most roles to play as well as being the Rutles' version of Macca, and narrates the thing throughout. Neil Innes is the Lennon equivalent, complete with cute Scouse accent, while John Halsey (as Barrington Womble, forever known as Barry Wom) is the Rutles' Ringo, and Rikki Fataar is the George equivalent, Stig. Their story basically equates to the Beatles' - except that their manager Leggy Mountbatten goes to Australia, where they have to resort to contacting him through the Ouija board (and by letters); they form a company to produce other acts - which fails - and end up playing their last gig on a London rooftop. There's even a spoof of the broadcast which featured 'All You Need Is Love'.

The SNL guys - Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi - fit in just fine. Alongside them are Mick Jagger and Paul Simon playing themselves talking about the Rutles ... as well as a sneaky appearance from Python friend and financier George Harrison as a reporter.

If you're a Beatles fan or a fan of anyone connected with this, you'll love it.

Worth It For The Sound Track Alone!

[Dan1863Sickles · 8/10 · 11 February 2017]

Somehow my brother and I got hold of the soundtrack album before we actually saw the TV special. The funny thing is that while the comedy bits are really funny (most of them) the songs are actually much better and stick in my mind to this day.

The songs from the early period, like "Ouch!" and "Hold My Hand" are okay, but they really can't capture the excitement and energy of the Beatlemania period. But as the story continues, the darker, sadder, more pessimistic songs are actually better than what the Beatles were doing at that stage in their careers.

Case in point: "Living In Hope," a late-period Ringo song, of the type you might hear on the White Album. "I grew up in the country/beside a chicken shack/then I left for the city/and I didn't look back." Really gets Ringo trying to write a country song and sounding silly, yet somehow knowing he's silly and having the time of his life! "Got no woman/or a steady job/feeling like a cowboy/and looking like a slob!/But I'm living in hope . . ." This was such a great song I had it on tape for years.

Then again there was "Love Life," which totally captures the silly side of the "All You Need Is Love" type of statement. The fade of the song is just "Love is the meaning of life/Life is the meaning of love/Love is the meaning of life/Life is the meaning of love." Fall over laughing as they repeat about 100 times!

Even the sad songs, like "Cheese and Onions" really capture the fall of the Beatles, as you hear the weariness and disgust creeping in. "I have always thought in the back of my mind/cheese and onions/I have always thought that the world was unkind/cheese and onions." Totally captures John Lennon at his most bitter and cynical, but still with the odd touch of humor. "Man and machine/Keep yourself clean/Or be a has-been/Like the dinosaurs."

The music was so great it didn't even seem like a parody, but more a meditation on the genius of the Beatles.

Deeply Impressed...

[applescruffy · 8/10 · 14 September 2002]

...With Neil Innes!

Generally I thought the movie was great. There were some very funny moments in it. My favorites; the Bath In and when George Harrison is interviewing Micheal Palin and behind them the strangest things get stolen. Recognizing all the famous (and less famous) Beatle moments and footage was a lot of fun.

But the best thing about the movie was Neil Innes. Not only did he write those great songs in the movie, but he also gives an incredibly accurate performance of John/Nasty. Every move he makes, every word he says, the way he looks, the way he sings, the way he talks... He IS John there. Wonderful, even in all the serious movies that featured someone portraying John, I have never seen anyone do so very well.

Funny, but could have been even better

[rcraig62 · 7/10 · 18 May 2003]

If you're a fan of the Beatles or of Monty Python's Flying Circus (and I happen to be both), it's hard to dislike this classic take-off of the Beatles phenomenon masterminded by Python's Eric Idle and composer Neil Innes that lampoons the Fab Four so precisely that the attention to detail for Beatlemaniacs will be even more impressive than the wit.

Some of the gags are priceless ("Their first album took twenty minutes to record. Their second took even longer."), but that's nothing compared to Idle's spoofing of familiar Beatles set pieces: the John & Yoko chaacters press conference for peace held in a shower, the Rutles looking "shocked and stunned" in their reaction when told of their manager's demise, and the playful banter with the media (Q: Do you feel better after seeing the queen? Rutle: No. You feel better after seeing the doctor. Rutle: Not my doctor, you don't.) And, in the traditional Python style, it's a documentary that spoofs documentaries. In one scene, narrator Idle finds himself chasing after a tracking shot that goes speeding away without him.

But the thing about it is that really satisfies on the level of the obsessed Beatle fan who knows absolutely everything there is about the Beatles' story. The Kaiserkeller is referenced as the Rat Kellar, an old hotspot crawling with rats, the Beatles' detested music publisher Dick James gets a dig ("a music publisher of no fixed ability"), the thievery going on at Apple, Ringo's fascination with the I Ching, and even Allen Klein appears (John Belushi, wearing Klein's trademark turtleneck sweater). Amidst all that, the true highlight (as was the case with the Beatles' movies themselves) is the music. Neil Innes' parodies of Beatle songs are dead-on in style and substance without ridiculing or plagiarizing them ("A Girl Like You" is close to "If I Fell", but not quite). He also gives a more-than-credible performance playing the John Lennon character. On the negative side, I thought Idle kind of glossed over the disintegration of the band- a period ripe for comic parody, and the bit about Idle in New Orleans interviewing old blues singers who supposedly inspired the band is a total throwaway. Besides, weren't the Beatles inspired by R & R pioneers like Chuck Berry and Little Richard rather than Muddy Waters? I think that's Idle's one slip-up to Beatle history.

This movie will be compared, perhaps unfavorably, to This Is Spinal Tap. I think they're about even. But for the definite word on Beatles (or Rutles) commentary, this is it. And the songs are even better than the jokes.

Men In Tight Trousers!

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 19 July 2006]

A memorable sketch in the second season of 'Rutland Weekend Television' was a parody of Richard Lester's 'A Hard Days Night' ( 1965 ). Shot in monochrome, it featured a Liverpuddlian pop group called 'The Rutles' - consisting of Dirk McQuickly ( Eric Idle ), Ron Nasty ( Neil Innes ), Barry Wom ( John Halsey ) and Stig O'Hara ( Rikki Fataar ). When Idle hosted an edition of the Python-influenced 'Saturday Night Live' a few years later, he showed the sketch as the pay-off to a running gag about The Beatles coming together again. It caused a sensation. 'S.N.L' viewers sent in Beatles' album covers, amended to read 'Rutles'.

Idle and 'S.N.L.' producer Lorne Michaels then teamed up to make a special programme about the group, a spoof documentary charting its rise and fall. Idle played a number of roles, including an inept interviewer. In one of the best visual gags, he is talking whilst walking down a street, then has to run to keep up with the camera car. Most of the 'S.N.L.' cast joined in the fun, such as Bill Murray as loud-mouthed disc jockey 'Bill Murray The K', Gilda Radner as 'Emily Pules', John Belushi as 'Ron Decline' ( based on the Beatles' manager Allen Klein ). Idbe brought along most of the 'Rutland' gang, such as Gwen Taylor, Terence Bayler ( as 'Leggy Mountbatten' ), Bunny May, Henry Woolf, and Carinthia West. Several real-life pop stars appeared as themselves, including Mick Jagger and Paul Simon ( not to mention George Harrison! ). Idle's Python colleague Michael Palin cropped up as the litigation conscious 'Eric Manchester'.

The reaction was positive, although some die-hard Beatles' fans failed to get the joke. "The final impression conveyed by this dismal programme was that of the talentless sneering at the talented" was how one such person summed up 'All You Need Is Cash' in a letter to 'The Radio Times'. He'd missed the point completely. Eric Idle and Gary Weis' film is not a mickey take of the group themselves, but rather the media circus that surrounded the Beatles. Archive footage is seamlessly blended with new material to create an exhilarating comic portrait. Those who saw Tony Palmer's 'All You Need Is Love' series will appreciate Idle's spoof even more.

Special mention must be made of Neil Innes as the Lennon figure, Ron Nasty. So brilliant were his Beatles pastiches ( particularly 'I Must Be In Love' and 'Doubleback Alley' ) that they were released as an album, then on C.D. ( Lennon objected to 'Get Up & Go' on account of its similarity to 'Get Back'. It was not released until years later ). And as for 'Yellow Submarine Sandwich', well, it takes your breath away!

Not all of the film works, for example, the joke made of Brian Epstein's death manages to be both tasteless and not particularly funny, but this remains Idle's finest post 'Python' project to date.

The First Rockumentary, brilliant, especially the music

[rw266 · 10/10 · 18 January 2014]

This is not for the younger crowd (unless you are a big Beatle Fan) a very,VERY funny but affectionate spoof of Beatlemania insanity, it's not an actual spoof of the Beatles in fact it pays homage to their enormous talent, just the sleazy side of the music biz.

The video and a lot of the jokes are a bit dated but although the costumes and re-creations of the original merchandise are really good the best thing about this parody is the AMAZING music, Neil Innes sounds just like John Lennon and their original songs sound exactly like the Beatles. The lyrics are hysterically funny and I think Lennon gets the worst of the ribbing especially on songs like "Cheese & Onions". George Harrison fully backed the project & makes a few small appearances and put up a lot of his own money to back the project.

I used to play Rutles tracks at parties and night clubs and people thought they were bootleg or unreleased songs, I mean they really liked them.

Eric Idle's best

[Hippie_Chick · 15 July 2003]

An excellent movie for Eric Idle and Beatle fans alike. The soundtrack is absolutely brilliant. Beatles fans will appreciate the movie more, because of many small in-jokes. Many familiar faces from Saturday Night Live appear, as well as a surprise appearance by George Harrison!

It follows the careers of the Pre-Fab Four, Barry, Stig, Dirk, and Nasty. See their beginnings in the Cavern, the tea drinking days of Sgt. Rutter's Only Darts Club Band, and their eventual breakup after the release of Let It Rot. Learn more about the Rutles than you ever wished to know!

A very funny faux-documentary with surprisingly good parody music.

[TOMNEL · 7/10 · 10 November 2007]

The Rutles was a band in the 60s with members Dirk McQuickly, Ron Nasty, Stig O'Hara and Barry Womb (formerly Barry Womble), and 8 years after the breakup of this "band" this documentary is made. This is actually a very funny movie, but won't appeal to everyone.

The thing that stood out most in this movie was how accurate the movie and song parodies were. If you've seen the Beatles films or know the songs that these songs are based on, then you'll find it funny, or if nothing else amusing. Other than the music, there is also a surprisingly amount of hilarious Monty Python like humor from Eric Idle as the interviewer. The only real problem I had with the film was the special guest stars. They tried to fit guests in, and usually they had to extend out cameos that worked better as 20 second roles, which ended up becoming 2 minutes just to give well known people a role. Many members of SNL, Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, and even George Harrison have small roles. Some of them were unneeded, but nonetheless it was nice to see familiar faces.

So sit down with a cup of tea and check this one out.

My rating: *** out of ****. 70 mins. Not rated, contains mild language.

Man, this is mean!

[Shaolin_Apu · 10/10 · 21 September 2006]

Although parodies never actually rise to the level of their victim they may be lethally funny at least. Some days ago when I was watching the Beatles Anthology, I suddenly started to remember scenes from this movie and I noticed that was laughing to myself. This only indicates how 'The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash' works other way around too.

Although the Rutles is a very funny comedy itself it does require that you know both Beatles and Monty Python relatively well. Otherwise you might lose something very essential. On the other hand 'The Rutles' can be watched many times again and again without losing a bit of its fascination and there aren't quite many films that can compete with that quality - and even less comedies! For a comedy there is a noteworthy section of famous persons presented as the supporting cast. When making 'The Rutles' Eric Idle was at the top of his fame and he received really good support for this film which is one of those ultra rare examples on how to create Pythonesque comedy and do it even better than the Monties.

parody and comedy perfection

[metadogma · 7/10 · 5 June 2002]

Firstly, I am a big Beatles fan, and so my adoration of this movie is heavily biased. I did not see the Rutles until I had also been witness to countless Beatles books, movies and other such gossip that has been said about the real lads. But that is what heavily contributes to my liking of the Rutles - it is remarkably accurate in its story of the the boys from Rutland, and I feel the humour is best served when it hits closer to home. For instance, when the boys say how shocked and stunned they are to hear that Leggy Mountbatten has left them, it is identical to footage of John and George in Wales when they heard that Brian Epstein died, the scene is doubly funny when you know the truth behind it. Plus there are the whacky scenes of Eric Idle in the Ratkellar, trying to point where the Beatles first performed, and other great moments. I also own the hilarious vinyl record from the film (with hits like Cheese and Onion and Between Us), which makes a great companion to the movie. I only rated the Rutles 7/10, but that is an overall mark ,which is as high as I can give a comedy (what an elitist I am). But this amongst my favourite comedies of all time. Hup. P.S. - how can a comedy be bad if Bill Murray is in it? ha! (the Rutles are coming to Flushing,.....)

A rel gem!

[rbass418 · 10/10 · 13 November 2007]

I remember watching the NBC broadcast debut of "The Rutles: All You Need is Cash," during the spring of 1978. Even though it was highly promoted that week, and featured cameos by Lorne Michaels and nearly every member of the red-hot Not Ready for Prime Time Players, ratings for the special were abysmal, possibly even the very bottom of the Nielsen list. People I talked to had absolutely no idea what to make of it at all. Go figure. This wonderful piece, which grows better with further perspective on the 60's (and Beatlemania), paved the way for fake documentary genre pioneers, "Zelig," and "Spinal Tap," and fortunately found an audience through home video. Even though "The Rutles" is very much an Eric Idle project, it is often overlooked that this film was largely directed by Gary Weis, who was responsible for the wonderful, ground-breaking short films that appeared on the early episodes of "Saturday Night Live." Hats off to Neil Innes, whose songs and arrangements were absolutely dead-on, not just musically, but technically correct in every detail as they evolved through the Beatles chronology.

A reasonable mockumentary and Beatles parody

[Beta_Gallinger · 7/10 · 15 August 2007]

I can't remember a time when I wasn't at all familiar with the Beatles, even though I was born sixteen years after they broke up. I certainly haven't been familiar with the Rutles for as long, but first heard of them at a very young age, hearing several of their songs. I remember seeing a bit of "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash" many years ago (sometime in the 1990s), but just last night, I finally saw the whole thing for the first time, leaving me with somewhat mixed feelings.

This film is a mockumentary, telling the story of the Rutles (spoofing the story of the Beatles, of course). The band members are Ron Nasty (based John Lennon), Dirk McQuickly (based on Paul McCartney), Stig O'Hara (based on George Harrison), and Barry Womble (based on Ringo Starr). The film gives us an insight on the band and what they went through during their years together (parodies of the things that happened in the lives of the Beatles during the group's existence), showing a lot of footage and interviews with many people on the band. Some celebrities play themselves, such as Mick Jagger and Paul Simon, and some are played by actors.

As I started watching this parody, it looked fairly promising as a comedy, with the part where Eric Idle, as the host, tries to keep up with the fast-moving camera, and ending up having to run in order to do so. I certainly didn't find myself laughing out loud at every single gag (I may not have gotten all of them), but it was far from a completely laugh-free experience, with some of the gags matching the one I mentioned, and maybe even some topping it. The songs, which are all based on Beatles songs, definitely add to the entertainment value, if you're into them. The movie has some lacklustre scenes, but manages to later redeem itself.

"The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash" was the idea of Eric Idle, formerly of Monty Python fame, who also played Dirk McQuickly in the fictional band. So, if you strongly dislike Eric Idle or Monty Python, this TV special is probably not for you. However, if you're a fan of Eric Idle/Monty Python, and are also a Beatles buff (one who doesn't mind seeing them lightly lampooned), you could find a lot to like in this little parody. If you're a fan of the Beatles' music, you would also probably like the songs featured here (once again, as long as you're not disgusted by the satire, as some Beatles fanatics have been).

Spinal Nap

[SealedCargo · 1/10 · 30 October 2008]

I really liked this movie as a teen. In the eighties I was a Beatles freak. I watched this, knowing all about their albums and films. I was very amused. So the years passed and I wanted to see it again. Upon seeing it the second time, I was shocked. I couldn't believe that this was the same movie I once adored. It's boring. There's too much attention on the interviewer played by Eric Idle, who also plays the Paul character. Every segment has a lame joke that falls flat. The songs aren't bad, but get annoying, especially when we have to hear the entire song play out. The guy who played the John character was good. He captured the snide, cynical Lennon quite well. But the others were badly cast. I didn't like this movie. "This is Spinal Tap", which came out a few years later, would do all things this movie failed to do, including making the audience think the band really, truly existed. Watching this spoof, you know just that: it's not real. It seems fake. And gets boring, quick.

Punk Floyd!

[B.H.I.B. · 15 September 1999]

This is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen. I'm sure the Beatles laughed their asses off. George is in the movie! Eric Idle should have teamed up with Lorne Micheals and the SNL cast more often. It would have had astounding results. If you like satire and parody, check this movie out and buy the Rutles albums. They are the best band around!

Rutle for your life.

[dbdumonteil · 7/10 · 4 January 2005]

It's impossible to love the Beatles -Is it possible not to adore the Beatles anyway?- and not to enjoy this marvelous mad yet very precise spoof on their whole oeuvre.All along this "all you need is lo..sorry cash" ,you are treated to the delights of hilarious jokes (we are more popular than God ,sorry ,Rod (Stewart)) and the songs are sheer genius.Not only they capture the Beatles atmosphere,but they are also quite infectious,superbly tuneful with zany but witty lyrics.I particularly dig "ouch"("help")and "piggy in the middle" (I'm the walrus")but the masterpiece is undeniably "Cheese and onions" which is not really inspired by a Beatles song,but manages to sound Beatler than the Beatles themselves.

Mick Jagger and Paul Simon (among others ) appear in the flesh and their tongue-in -chick comments (rather sarcastic for the former,a bit wistful for the latter) are a plus for the movie.

Word to the wise:it's worth to buy the CD which features 20 songs!and in 1996,when the Beatlemania,fueled by the release of the anthology series ,was even stronger than in the golden sixties ,the Rutles made a follow-up called "archaeology" that almost outdid the first 1978 release .You will love "Shangri la "("Hey jude" ) "We're arrived"(back in the USSR" .And Eric Idle ends the Rutles saga on an almost sad touch with his "Back in 64" ("When I'm 64" ) .Blues,folks,beaucoups of blues.

Four Lads Who Shook Their Heads

[henfish · 9/10 · 8 May 2002]

Rags to riches story of Dirk (Eric Idle), Barry (John Halsey), Stig (Rikki Fataar) and Nasty (Neil Innes): The Rutles. We follow their journey from humble Merseyside beginnings in Liverpool's Cavern Club to global superstardom under the secure (if somewhat shaky) hand of their manager, 'Leggy' Mountbatten. This intriguing and revelatory voyage to the highest echelons of the pop world and subsequent (and almost obligatory) mass litigation features several contributions from celebrity fans of the pre-fab four; ready to reveal to the waiting world exactly 'how it was'!!!

Brilliant mock-umentary stands as a glowing beacon to the Beatles (including a self-deprecating cameo from producer Harrison) with an astute collection of marvellous mickey-takes of the fab's more pivotal moments performed by four actors clearly having the time of their lives. (Idle and Innes are inspired). All this interweaved with Innes' uncannilly excellent soundtrack (inc. the sublime 'Let's Be Natural') makes for a must see film for true devotees of Beatles and comedy alike.

More clever than funny...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 25 May 2011]

I think that your age will most likely strongly affect what you think of this film. If you grew up during the era of the Beatles, then I am pretty sure you'll appreciate what they've created in "The Rutles". However, I think younger generations will just look at it and wonder what they are missing. As for me, I don't quite fall in either group. The group broke up when I was 7 and I never really was caught up in the whole Beatlemania but I still could understand the many Beatle-like references in the film.

"The Rutles" is a mockumentary--one that debuted well before the more recent spate of such films. And as a fake documentary it's much more the style that tries to imitate the original--and it does a great job of creating the look and sound of the Beatles in the fictional group The Rutles. But if you are looking for laughs, this does not appear to be the main purpose--it's more imitation and a homage to the original instead of a laugh out loud film. This isn't a criticism--more just an observation of the overall effect.

The main force behind this project were apparently Eric Idle (who plays three different roles) and Neil Innes. Idle was pretty much what you'd expect. I was very impressed by Innes, as I know he was the musical mind behind the film and his John Lennon-like character was spot-on. In addition to these two, the film was blessed to have the cooperation of various celebrities (though some of the cameos were pretty unimpressive--especially those by most of the Saturday Night Live alumni who just seemed a bit wasted). Of note are the many times you see Mick Jagger, a nice cameo by George Harrison as well as Ron Wood).

As I said above, whether you'll like this probably has a lot to do with when you grew up, as younger crowds won't get the many Beatles references and much older audiences will probably want to turn it off and listen to some Sinatra music! For me, it was worth a look but didn't change my life. Very clever...but not full of a lot of big laughs.

Better Than Spinal Tap

[pbbuffyhugs · 10/10 · 19 September 2009]

Absolutely hilarious spoof of The Beatles. Eric Idle's finest 70 minutes and a spin off of his mid 70's TV show "Rutland Weekend Television" (Please BBC repeat this series). The songs are so clever - "I Must Be In Love' could've been an actual Beatles single it's that good. Neil Innes wrote the soundtrack which was deemed so good it was released as an album and 2 singles were released in the UK. The film follows so closely the actual events of the Beatles and George Harrison was so impressed with the script that he agreed to appear in the film. "Piggy in the Middle" (with absolutely spot on John Lennon-esq lyrics) perfectly recreates "Magical Mystery Tour" or in this case "Tragical History Tour" and the Yellow Submarine cartoon section looks so damn good that it will have you looking out for it next time you watch that film. "Love Life" is a perfect recreation of the television event of 1967 and by this point Neil Innes looks and sounds exactly like John Lennon. Everything is covered here, Lennons infamous "Bigger than Jesus" quote and it even mocks Apple (a pealed banana.) My favourite bit is Eric Idle tracing the musical roots of the Rutles, talking to 'Blind Lemon Pie' and finding out he should be talking to the bloke next door is one of the funniest few minutes of film I've seen - especially when he goes round there... "He's lying, he's always lying. Last week he said he invented the Everly Brothers." It's pant-wettingly funny. Regarded as a cult item now this is right up there with Spinal Tap but this is so much funnier, if you love the Beatles (who doesn't?) then you need to see this, one of the cleverest and most affectionate spoofs ever made. Buy the album too - for a parody the songs are superb.

Breakthrough form, some great moments, but it drags and feels dated, too...

[secondtake · 6/10 · 22 December 2012]

The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)

This might be a necessary rite of passage for those who love the Beatles, or those who love "This is Spinal Tap" and other mockumentaries. Because this set the pattern, and a rather low bar of professionalism, for all that followed. It's not a great movie but it has great moments.

Those moments include the extended interviews with Mick Jagger (and to a lesser extent Paul Simon). When each of these people first appear it's a thrill, when the reappear the surprise is gone and you realize the surprise is most of it. That the famous real stars were willing to get in on the gag is a great twist of fictional history.

There are also other little snippets--not enough of them, but good ones, like Bill Murray being a crazy (typically) radio announcer, and an odd and overacted scene with John Belushi. Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner show up and so even does Bianca Jagger. These are quick and fun cameos, and the more of these the better.

Central throughout is Eric Idle, the director and writer, and the one consistency in it all as the traveling reporting telling the documentary tale of the Pre-Fab Four. Some of the camera tricks are really funny, and the general dead pan delivery is good.

All of this is great stuff and it's a lot, and if you could make a shorter mockumentary with the cream of the movie you'd have a pretty solid film. What drags it down is partly avoidable, party not: all the songs. We hear a good 15 or 20 Beatles-style homages or send-ups with these four mimics, and it's always interesting for ten seconds, hearing the slight twists to the famous riffs or melodies, seeing how they set the stage (with a little real footage now and then to make it even more real). But it wears thin after a minute, and sometimes the full three minutes is played out and it's just too long. And it happens a lot.

It's a fun ride and if you can chill or chitchat during some of the drawn out parts you'll quickly be jerked into attention by some new twist.

The Rutles: All You Need is Cash is a brilliant mockumentary of the Beatles-like group

[tavm · 10/10 · 24 July 2013]

After years of reading about this movie, I finally saw The Rutles: All You Need is Cash on YouTube just now. Monty Python member Eric Idle created and wrote this mockumentary about a Beatles-like group originally as a filmed sketch on "Rutland Weekend Television". That sketch would eventually make its American debut on "Saturday Night Live" when he hosted the show during its second season. Lorne Michaels, producer of that show, liked what he saw and agreed to help produce a television special of this group for a 90 minute prime time spot. So with Idle and Gary Weis-"SNL" filmmaker at the time-directing and Rutles member Neil Innes writing the tunes-inspired by the Beatles songs, of course-and cameos by the likes of Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, fellow Python Michael Palin, and "SNL"ers like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, along with writers/bit players Al Franken & Tom Davis, and Michaels himself, oh, and also former Beatle George Harrison who I didn't recognize in his makeup, this was quite a funny and entertaining show that I enjoyed highly especially when they played with certain happenings like having their manager quit to go to Australia for a teaching position instead of killing himself or mentioning Bob Dylan introducing them to a strange substance-called tea! There's plenty more funny stuff but I'll just now say that I loved The Rutles: All You Need is Cash and highly recommend it if you love The Beatles and great comedy.

Funny, but not a classic

[Mr. Pulse · 7/10 · 15 May 2001]

I am a huge Beatles fan, and a lover of documentaries, both real and "fake" (Like the works of Christopher Guest). I've been itching to see "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash" for quite a while now, and I was happy to see it out on DVD. I enjoyed the movie, but I think that it probably doesn't rate well with the immortal "This is Spinal Tap."

The film follows the fake-Beatles, "The Rutles" through their entire career, mimicking the famous Fab Four at every turn. Dirk, Nasty, Stig, and Barry are all funny, and I loved all the little details that hardcore Beatles fans will chuckle at; the clothes and hair (Usually spot on exactly, right down to the fur coat Nasty (John's doppleganger)sports during their final rooftop concert). The songs are fun, near copies of Beatle melodies with new words. And a lot of the gags work well, I especially liked Nasty marrying a Neo-Nazi performance artist.

Written and conceived by Monty Python's Eric Idle, who also plays Dirk, and the narrator of the film, gets a lot of mileage out of mocking the roving reporter format of the traditional documentary. The film starts with a word crawl that speeds up faster than the narrator can speak it, and in the next scene, Idle's narrator can't keep up with his moving camera that eventually drives off down the street leaving him in the dust.

But while the film is a predecessor of stuff like Spinal Tap, I think that the formula for mocking documentaries, especially music ones, was really perfected later. While it's Idle's style to mock formalities such as those of the documentary or investigative reports, it really distances the audience from really believing The Rutles are a real group (I never for a second did, while anyone could be led to believe Spinal Tap were real). Also, while a lot of Idle's stuff as the narrator works, some of it doesn't, and after a while it begins to grate. I really felt it was taking up screen time that would have been more well-spent with interviews with The Rutles themselves, or more arthival footage.

Overall, this film is fun, and certainly will be a pleasure for any Beatles fan, but for straight humor value, a "Spinal Tap" or "Best in Show" beats it.

I must be in luv

[ericsinla · 10/10 · 16 August 2003]

I just picked up this Dvd and I can't stop watching it. It brought back such good memories. The first time I saw this I must have been 13 and I had just become a Beatles fan. I was like "what the ...?" I then bought the soundtrack on vinyl ( which I still play ) Its just great to see all those people up there having fun, Neil Innes and Erics Idle are brilliant.

The Rutles Rule! Rutlemania Forever!

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 4 June 2014]

To fully savor the wildly droll flavor of The Rutles it really helps to have some prior knowledge of The Beatles' career and an appreciation for Monty Python-esque Comedy. Yep. That's what's in order to get into the zany spirit of this one's story.

This often-hilarious parody of The Beatles meticulously chronicles (in clever mockumentary style) the rags to riches story of the Prefab 4 (aka. The Rutles).

Starting from their early, humble days of tight pants and mop-top hairdos in Liverpool, England to their "scream-o-mania" arrival in America on The Ed Sullivan Show, Nasty, Stig, Dirk & Barry are immediately crowned the undisputed conquerors of Rock'n'Roll and total world domination of Pop Music is the gleaming prize in their box of Cracker Jack.

Uproariously written and co-directed by Eric Idle (of Monty Python's), The Rutles is a Musical/Comedy delight that's certain to put a big, happy smile on your face as it royally brings down The Beatles' legend with a resounding "THUD!".

Showcasing 16 sound-a-like Beatles' songs that contain some of the funniest, and some of the most mocking and ridiculing lyrics that you're ever gonna hear, The Rutles also features amusing cameos by Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, Ron Wood, George Harrison, to name but a few celebrities.

I think it's interesting to note that prior to The Rutles' official release back in 1978, it was first viewed individually by each one of The ex-Beatles for their hopeful approval. It seems that George, Ringo & John were all unanimously amused enough by the film's comic lampooning of their careers to give it an enthusiastic "thumbs up" OK.

But, alas, on the other hand, Paul was not in the least bit amused. No, he was not.

As the story goes - It was John Lennon who cautiously approached Eric Idle and Neil Innes (the musician/actor responsible for composing the sound-a-like Beatles' songs) and wisely warned them to omit certain tunes from the soundtrack (especially Get Up and Go, which was way too close to Get Back) or else face being sued by the humorless McCartney.

And, sure enough, bristling with anger, McCartney did, in fact, make a number of threats to sue Idle over The Rutles' musical content. Eventually, though, he finally did back down when his then-wife, Linda (who thought the movie very funny), diplomatically intervened and convinced Paul to withdraw his charges and allow The Rutles to be released almost totally unscathed and unedited.

(Phew! That was a close call!)

All-in-all - THE RUTLES was 80 minutes of good, comic, musical fun-fun-fun.... (Goo-Goo-G'Joob!)

Doesn't hold up over time

[belacane · 4/10 · 27 September 2006]

I was enough of a Beatles fan in 1978 to beg my mom to stay up and watch this mockumentary, though I was only 12 and this was on far past my bedtime. I didn't know any of the Python work at that time, but was delighted to see George, Mick, the SNL people, all acting in this goofy film. The music is surprisingly good in its own right, in addition to being slightly-skewed Beatles music.

Having enjoyed it so much as a kid I finally got around to buying the DVD a few months ago. At this point I *did* know the Pythons and of course more of the 'topical' comments from 1978 would be more familiar to me over time. However, what I found is that this movie is a very flat film, full of cheap lame gags that make me wonder how any adult audience in 1978 could have liked this movie. I really wanted to like it in 2006, but it was just too flat. Upon re-watching I only really enjoyed Mick Jagger's part; he was the only one who looked like he was having fun, and not "trying to make us laugh." I do own both the soundtrack to this film and its follow-up, "Archaeology." Both very good sets of music. But the film is a throwaway unless you want to listen to the songs in their original context.