IMDb > The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   727 votes
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Director:
Penelope Spheeris
Writer:
Penelope Spheeris (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Decline of Western Civilization on IMDbPro.
Plot:
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
A rare glimpse at an overlooked scene more (27 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Alice Bag Band ... Themselves
Alice Bag ... Lead Singer, The Alice Bag Band
Claude Bessey ... Catholic Discipline / Vocalist
Black Flag ... Themselves
Don Bolles ... Drummer, The Germs

Exene Cervenka ... 'X' - vocals
Circle Jerks ... Themselves
Philo Cramer ... Fear Guitar
Darby Crash ... Lead Singer, The Germs
John Doe ... 'X' - vocals, bassist
Lorna Doom ... Bassist, The Germs
Fear ... Themselves
Frank Gargani ... Appears as Himself
Bill Gazzarri ... Himself
The Germs ... Themselves
Michelle Baer Ghaffari ... Herself
Greg Ginn ... Black Flag / Guitarist
Greg Hetson ... Himself / Circle Jerks Guitarist
Craig Lee ... Guitarist, The Alice Bag Band
Lucky Lehrer ... Himself
Jenny Lens
Keith Morris ... The Circle Jerks member
Nicole Panter ... Nicole - Germs Manager
Phranc ... Catholic Discipline / Guitarist
Ron Reyes ... Black Flag / Vocalist
Roger Rogerson ... Himself
Rick Schmidlin ... Appears as himself
Derf Scratch ... Bass player for Fear
Pat Smear ... Guitarist, The Germs
Lee Ving ... 'Fear' vocals / guitar
X. ... Themselves
Billy Zoom ... Himself
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Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Not Rated

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After the film was screened in Los Angeles, punk music fans got into so many fights and caused so much trouble that then-L.A. Police Chief Daryl Gates wrote the filmmakers a letter asking them not to screen the film again. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Totally F***ed Up (1993) more
Soundtrack:
Manimal more

FAQ

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
A rare glimpse at an overlooked scene, 18 June 2003
10/10
Author: punk119 from Kitchener, Canada

The rise of punk music was scarcely documented on film and most people tend to focus on the happenings of other cities such as London or New York. Penelope Spheeris managed to preserve a snapshot of Los Angeles circa '79-'81 which proves a vibrant and diverse art/music community had spawned which rivalled any other. To some, the bands read like a who's who of now legendary American punk; Black Flag, X, Circle Jerks, Germs, Fear. Purists argue that vital bands were missed (Weirdos, Zeros, Flesheaters) and that the movie was the cause of an onslaught of suburban poseurs and macho violence. However, the issues touched upon in the film remain relevant, the intensity of the music remains unmatched and the influence continues to be seen and heard in the cliques/fashions of today.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Bouncer: Dutch Michaels marc-457
Poor representation of the LA punk scene? zazzy-zulu
anyone here from or around houston tx? bunny_hutch
Oswald Spengler? patrick5246
Ideal Punk Band? Farts182
VHS / DVD re-release ? usatan
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