Rob Reiner's legendary rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap is staging a UK come-back tour.

The spoof story of spandex-clad heavy rock band Spinal Tap, infamous for such "classics" as Big Bottom, Bitch School and Stonehenge, will get a theatrical re-release in October through independent UK distributor Optimum Releasing.

Optimum has struck a joint-venture pact with US studio MGM and France's Studiocanal for the release, which will link with MGM and Studiocanal's previously-announced US re-release in September. The UK partnership includes distribution of a special edition video and DVD.

"We are sharing costs; we are sharing the upside and the downside," said Optimum chief Will Clarke.

Optimum is opening the 1983 film, which spawned tie-in albums such as Break Like The Wind, on 25 prints. Clarke plans to capitalise on the start of the university term.

"It's an absolutely massive cult classic," Clarke said. "It seems to be getting more and more notoriety."

Optimum has enjoyed considerable success with re-releases such as the current outing for A Bout De Souffle (Breathless). Jean-Luc Godard's 1959 film reaped $34,191 from five screens on its second weekend of release, bringing its cumulative total to more than $100,000.

The re-release mirrors Optimum's success with The Third Man last year when it went up against Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace during the summer. The 1949 British noir finished its run with $400,000.