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IMDb > The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

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

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   705 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:
The Decline of Western Civilization more

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:
Featured in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Beef Balogna more

FAQ

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
The Decline of Western Civilization, 24 May 2005
8/10
Author: Bryan (briggz31@yahoo.com) from United States

Let start off by first saying that I have been a punk fan most of my life. I always kind of had a lack of respect for the LA scene of the early 80's, which The Decline of Western Civilization documents, with the exception of X and Black Flag, being more of New York and English punk guy. After I saw this movie that completely changed. The people shown may look like a bunch of idiotic, strung out kids who think they might accomplish something beyond street-Cree through their lifestyles, but it is a great display of hedonism at it's best, coupled with some fun, loud rock n roll. One of the best scenes, and actually most insightful, is the interview with Claude Bessy of Catholic Discipline, or 'Kick-Boy' as he was known to Slash magazine readers. Originally from France, he rants about punk like a dirty old Frenchman and clues in viewers to many aspects of the punk, or DIY, attitude to music, politics, and life in general. Darby Crash of the Germs comes off as a complete idiot most of the time, but the Germs' performance of Manimal is pretty decent, complete with a young Pat Smear. Black Flag's performance with Chavo Pederast on vocals (it was filmed a couple of years before Henry Rollins joined the band) is decent, and X and FEAR give the best performances in the movie. Look out for the interviews with the young punk kids. You'll hear some of the funniest things you have ever heard in a documentary. Highly recommended.

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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
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
What is the hold up ? green52373
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