The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash

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Originally hatched in 1978 as a short film parody for Saturday Night Live, this expanded, 70-minute mockumentary on a trend-setting quartet of British mop-tops bloomed into one of Eric Idle's better projects outside Monty Python. Taking the career (and hagiography) of the Beatles and inverting them quite nicely, Idle conjures up four doppelgangers who offer the familiar mannerisms but practically none of the intelligence of their models. If that sounds like the same gag that powered This Is Spinal Tap (which emerged six years later), it is, with the crucial difference that Idle's lampoon is precise where Tap was consciously generic.

In telling the saga of the Rutles, Idle (who doubles as earnest narrator and McCartney-esque Rutle Dirk McQuigley) works from a rich and immediately familiar trove of pop lore, and he has a ball revisiting and reinventing milestones from the Fab Four's fabled history. The attention to period detail helps elevate the gags further, but Idle's real secret weapon is Neil Innes, standing in as Ron Nasty, the Rutles' answer to John Lennon: it's Innes who serves as the musical architect for the wonderful Beatles parodies that give All You Need Is Cash a delicious kick, and Innes, a one-time principal in the legendary Bonzo Dog Band, is gifted enough to capture the band's lyricism and energy as well as their shifting sense of style.

With the blessing and on-camera participation of George Harrison, and wry cameos from Mick Jagger and Paul Simon, All You Need Is Cash is a perfect companion to the Beatles' own glorious screen comedies and a great antidote to sanctimonious pop documentaries. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Inspire Lunacy From an Original Python Member.......2007-09-07

In 1978, years before Rob Reiner's "This is Spinal Tap" brought rock mockumentaries to the big screen, former Monty Python member Eric Idle and sometime Python contributor Neil Innes created "All You Need is Cash" - a TV special about the imaginary Beatles-like rock group, the Rutles. The parodies of Beatles songs are so spot-on that a casual listener might think he was hearing unreleased material from the Fab Four themselves. You'll laugh at the exploits of Stig, Dirk, Barry, and Nasty, as they take England and America by storm before their inevitable break-up and well-deserved plunge into obscurity. A forgotten classic, "All You Need is Cash" is not to be missed.

LOVER OF FAB4MANIA.......2007-07-07

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE REVERE AND WILL HAVE BEATLEMANIA TILL DEATH. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TRIP IN HAVING A LAUGH! COMPLETE FAB 4 HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL IN APPRECIATING THIS GENIUS MASTERPIECE OF LAUGHTER AND WORK!

Spot-On Satire of the Beatles' Phenomenon.......2007-07-07

Though the humor is perhaps not for everybody, most will love the wacky take-off on the Beatles legend. Eric Idle, of Monty Python, a self-confessed Beatle fan, put this film together in the late 1970's as a mocu-mentary, and it may be one of the first ever made. As such, it is the forefather of movies such as 'This is Spinal Tap' and 'Borat'.

What makes this movie so much fun is that it lambastes the Beatles from beginning to end without trashing them. The movie takes a layer of patina off the Beatles' near-godlike status without tarnishing their legacy. George Harrison liked the movie so much he has a part in it. Ringo liked most of it, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, always enthusiastic about avante-guarde projects even at their own expense, were said to love it, even though Ono's character is supposedly the daughter of Adolf Hitler. Of course, McCartney wasn't big on it, but he probably had a problem with his portrayal as overly-precious and doe-eyed.

Particularly hilarious are cameo appearances in mock interviews by Mick Jagger and Ron Wood of the Stones and Paul Simon. Bill Murray is over-the-top funny as Murray the K. The out-takes of Mick Jaggar are hilarious, as he forgets where the fictional Rutles are from (Rutland) and makes some other unusable comments about the Rutles' sex lives.

The Rutles themselves look nothing like the Beatles, which is in itself funny. In fact, one of them looks like he's of East Indian extraction (though maybe this was intentional as he plays the George-like character). But the actor who plays the John Lennon character was also a top musician/composer, and he wrote songs that are so Beatle-esque that it's uncanny. The songs are all take-offs on actual Beatles songs, but with slightly altered melodies and satirically-altered lyrics.

Filmed on location in England and the United States, the scenes take us through the career of the Rutles, from the jerky black and white images of the Ratskeller to the appearance on Ed Sullivan and on into their wierd psych stage. Even the rooftop concert is parodied. The locations, outfits, hairstyles, even the sounds are right-on.

The new DVD has the extra bonus of voice-over commentary by Eric Idle, out-takes, stills, Idle's take on the making of the film, and the viewer is even able to listen to each individual Rutles song singly.

Hugely enjoyable for any Beatles fan. You do not want to leave this piece of Beatles satirical history out of your collection.

Five stars all the way.

Only a few laughs.......2007-06-16

I enjoy Monty Python and I am a big Beatles fan, so I was surprised I didn't like this movie. Basically, there are only a few laughs, and they weren't specific to the Beatles so it could've been put in any mockumentary. What also disappointed me was there was not much interaction of the Rutles - you don't get to see them talk to each other much, which could've provided many funny moments. The song parodies weren't that funny, either.

What I did like was the visual aspects of the movie - they really did get the look of the Beatles throughout the years pretty accurately. It was also good to see many of the original Saturday Night Live cast and they provided much of the few funny moments in the movie.

If you want to see a funny mockumentary, check out "Spinal Tap" and "Fear of a Black Hat". Both movies have two necessary ingredients that this movie lacked: hilarious banter between the band members and funny lyrics in the songs.

Python meets Spinal Tap.......2007-04-26

This is a wonderful spoof of the Beatles, which deserves a higher reputation than its fairly obscure standing.

Neil Innes is outstanding as 'Nasty' (i.e. Lennon), and of course was also responsible for the wonderful spoof songs ("Let it Rot" "Ouch" "A Hard Days Rut" etc"). Eric Idles presenter is a classic Python type character. The scene at the beginning where the presenter is being filmed from a moving vehicle which gets faster and faster is pure Python.

There are cameo roles for George Harrison, Mick Jagger and Paul Simon. George Harrison isn't playing himself, so you have to look a little harder to spot him.

Along with Spinal Tap (which was made 6 years later) this is the best spoof 'rockumentary'. Its very funny and I recommend it strongly.

Average customer rating:

Well, I think it's a Great Movie!
The plot, in a nutshell
Don't waste your time or money!

All You Need
Starring: Janet Carroll , Mary Jo Catlett , Gloria Le Roy , Kellie Martin , and Robert Pine
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007QCLQ8
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

Well, I think it's a Great Movie!.......2006-11-23

I was very happy to see that this movie was for sale and quickly bought it! I had watched it several times on TV and loved it! Although it may be formatted a little different, it is still worth the time and money to own it and watch it! I think that it's a great movie and I think that Kellie Martin's character is played out very well! I would definetly recommend this movie!

The plot, in a nutshell.......2005-03-22

This is a movie DESPERATELY in search of an identity.
It seems to be trying to be a family drama but without much sense of direction. There are all sorts of loose ends. First, there is the alcoholic mother who is confronted by her family but never really pushed into treatment. Then there is the daughter whose husband leaves her on Thanksgiving without much explanation.
The movie could have worked IF:
1. It had a shred of believability. The characterizations aren't believable and the story line is weak, at best. Kellie Martin, who plays the divorced daughter, is supposed to be brave and stoic but instead comes off as hard and uncompassionate.

2 There was any pivotal moment - or even a few key moments. But no, there are no resolutions that make sense and more than a few cheap teasers that insult the viewer's intelligence, including one scene where Ms. Martin nearly falls into her bed with her sister's husband - and THEN has the nerve to tell him that if he EVER cheats on her sister, she'll kill him.... just as if she didn't go to the edge with him earlier in the movie.

Also, the movie seems to meander all over the place and (SPOILER ALERT) by the end of the movie, Mom is still a raging alcoholic and...in what is supposed to be a lightbulb moment, I assume..the divorced daughter realizes that "even a single note can sound lovely" and so she rejects her ex when he comes begging for another chance.
In short, this a formula movie with a capital F. Barely watchable and only if the choice is between this and watching paint dry.

Don't waste your time or money!.......2005-03-17

If there were a choice below 1 star, that would be my rating for this movie. I bought at Walmart -- this and another movie bundled for $5.98. I should have known by the price, that it couldn't be much of a movie. Horribly depressing, terrible storyline. I almost stopped watching half-way through, but kept thinking something may happen to redeem this movie. I was wrong! Don't even want to donate this movie to church rummage sale. Believe I will just throw it away!

Winsor Pilates 2 DVD SET: AB SCULPTING DVD + UPPER BODY SCULPTING DVD. ALL YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT & INCHES, TONE YOUR UPPER BODY AND MIDSECTION, DROP POUNDS & INCHES FASTER WITH MARI WINSOR PILATES!

Average customer rating:

Winsor Pilates 2 DVD SET: AB SCULPTING DVD + UPPER BODY SCULPTING DVD. ALL YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT & INCHES, TONE YOUR UPPER BODY AND MIDSECTION, DROP POUNDS & INCHES FASTER WITH MARI WINSOR PILATES!

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Pilates | Fitness & Yoga | Genres | DVD | Video
Product Features:

2 DVD SET: AB SCULPTING & UPPER BODY SCULPTING
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ASIN: B000T2PCU2

Product Description

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Cerveza Fria: 30-Minutes To All The Vacation Spanish You'll Ever Need

Average customer rating:

The place to start before vacation to Central America...
damn this sucks

Cerveza Fria: 30-Minutes To All The Vacation Spanish You'll Ever Need

Manufacturer: Customflix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000PITGK2
Release Date: 2007-04-19

Customer Reviews:

The place to start before vacation to Central America..........2007-08-18

I didn't speak a word of Spanish before I got this excellent video. I was going on a cruise which made stops at several Spanish speaking ports (Panama, Costa Rico and Mexico) and wanted to learn a little of the lingo before I went. This quick video was perfect! I learned all about the "meet, street, and greet," what to say and what to do in these common situations.

The video did help me to have more fun. If you don't know Spanish, if you want a quick and fun primer, consider this video. Caveat: This DVD may not be for the intermediate or advanced Spanish speaker but its perfect for monoglot gringos like me.

damn this sucks.......2007-08-05

I ordered this as a gift for my brother-in-law who really wants to learn Spanish. It sounded like it'd be a fun video but it was really lame. I'm so glad I watched it before giving it to him because I would've been really embarrassed if I gave this to him. The presentation is this guy talking and the words show up on the screen. About half the video is just advice on language learning, and it was pretty common knowledge stuff at that. I should've used my common sense when I read the description of the video before I bought it, because it literally is, all the Spanish you'll need for a vacation. como esta, cerveza, and gracias...... it doesn't get any more advanced than that. Geez what a waste of money.

Average customer rating:

All You Need Is Cash - Special Edition
The Rutles
Manufacturer: Prism
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
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The Rutles 2 - Can't Buy Me Lunch

ASIN: B00006L9WX

Special Edition: The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash [PAL, Region Free, Import]

Average customer rating:

Special Edition: The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash [PAL, Region Free, Import]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Product Features:

PAL, Region Free, requires PAL capable DVD player for the US.
DVD Special Features:
- Brand new transfer featuring previously unavailable scenes
- Further deleted scenes
- Eric Idle introduction and commentary

ASIN: 8374044187

Product Description

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.

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