Can anyone tell me what The Rutles really is and what relation it has to The Beatles. Thanks in advance!

The Rutles was a 1978 TV movie originally titled "All You Need is Cash."  It is a spoof documentary of the Beatles' story.  It was made by and stars Eric Idle from Monty Python.  He plays the narrator/interviewer of the story, as well as one of the Rutles.  Neil Innis also plays a Rutle and I think wrote most of the songs.

Not only is the movie funny as f-k, it is thorough in that it leaves no Beatle legend unspoofed.  For instance, the John Lennon character causes a scandal when he declares that the Rutles are "Bigger than God."  But it turns out he was misquoted -- he said "bigger than Rod" -- Rod Stewart, who wouldn't be famous for several more years.  The songs are parodied perfectly too -- "Get Back" is "Get Up and Go Back Home," etc.

Think Monty Python combined with Saturday Night Live with some Spinal Tap elements.  Besides Idle, there are numerous cameos -- Michael Palin, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Ackroyd, Mick Jagger plays himself (commenting on the influence of the Rutles), and George Harrison appears in there somewhere as well.

By all means buy/rent/download this movie.

Oh yeah................great movie!!!!  I have it on DVD.  I need to watch this again.  And George Harrison plays a reporter in the movie...........funny stuff............ ;D

Wasn't there a second movie? If so, I think I watched it. It was called Can't Buy Me Lunch, or something.

I loved Belushi's Allen Klein. Genius. And George's cameo was hysterical. I love that film! Wasn't it broadcast on SNL over here originally? That's where I saw it anyway. I loved it when they crossed the Pythons with the original SNL cast. Or Eric Idle anyway. And I think Michael Palin at some point? Nothing was funnier.

Quoted from Sandra

I loved Belushi's Allen Klein. Genius. And George's cameo was hysterical. I love that film! Wasn't it broadcast on SNL over here originally? That's where I saw it anyway. I loved it when they crossed the Pythons with the original SNL cast. Or Eric Idle anyway. And I think Michael Palin at some point? Nothing was funnier.

Sandra,

You have a good memory.  It's all detailed in the Rutlemania website:

http://www.rutlemania.org/rutles1.html

Quoted from Jane

Can anyone tell me what The Rutles really is and what relation it has to The Beatles. Thanks in advance!

Check here: http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/m-1205713909/

Oh, thank you all very much! I have heard of the Rutles and my impression was it was a kind of a band that made a parody of the Beatles, and that`s it, not worth talking about. I am so impressed and interested, especially by your recommendations to see it, which i will do without delay.  :)

"if you want to know about the Beatles, watch the Rutles!" - George Harrison   ;D

Quoted from Jane

I have heard of the Rutles and my impression was it was a kind of a band that made a parody of the Beatles, and that`s it, not worth talking about.

No, Jane.  The Rutles are a legend.  A living legend.  A legend that will live long after other living legends have died.




http://www.rutles.org/rmain.html

^^^^^^^I like that picture.  Tooooo funny!!!!

I watch my Rutles dvd slightly more often than my Beatles ones!! The music is just so good, and as George H says, if you want to know about the Beatles, it's all in there!
My fave bit is when they ask the 2 experts about the Rutles, oh and the bit where they talk about tea, oh and all of it.
I like the way that even people who don't know much about the Beatles can roar with laughter!

Quoted from Hello Goodbye

No, Jane.  The Rutles are a legend.  A living legend.  A legend that will live long after other living legends have died.




http://www.rutles.org/rmain.html

It`s so strange, mysterious and unexpected that I am not just interested greatly, I am fascinated, and even more, I am intrigued...

Quoted from freakchic9

Wasn't there a second movie? If so, I think I watched it. It was called Can't Buy Me Lunch, or something.

i didnt watch it yet, but i saw that it on youtube. will watch it soon........................

Cool, I'll have to check it out.  I also was under the impression it was like a cover band or something.  This sounds like something I would enjoy!

There was a second film, I have it on the shelf somewhere. But it isn't half as good as the first one.

I am happy cause I still have to see so many films related to my Favourites!

i did see the second one & it was just embarrasing to watch. the best stuff was the extra bits they filmed that they didn't show in the first one, but the interviews with people were pretty ridicolous. :-/

Some info on Can't Buy Me Lunch:
http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/m-1103639791/

All You Need Is Cash will be rereleased on dvd shortly.

^Yes! I think I see a movie night in my future.

They are good... but they didnt win me yet....  :-/

yep, the All You Need is Cash movie will be released in a 30th Anniversary Edition on
17th Novemeber!  here's what it will look like:



and after all these years, it was the trousers! ;D :P

Quoted from Andy Smith

yep, the All You Need is Cash movie will be released in a 30th Anniversary Edition on
17th Novemeber!

Thanks for the heads up.  :)