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The Decline of Western Civilization

  • 19811981
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
4 Photos
DocumentaryHistoryMusic
A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
    • Penelope Spheeris
  • Stars
    • Eugene Tatu
    • Alice Bag Band
    • Black Flag
    • Penelope Spheeris
  • Stars
    • Eugene Tatu
    • Alice Bag Band
    • Black Flag
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 38User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 93Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:44
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    Photos

    The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
    The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
    The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
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    Top cast

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    Eugene Tatu
    • Self - Light Bulb Kid
    • (as Eugene)
    Alice Bag Band
    • Themselves
    Black Flag
    Black Flag
    • Themselves
    Catholic Discipline
    • Themselves
    Circle Jerks
    • Themselves
    Fear
    • Themselves
    The Germs
    • Themselves
    • (as Germs)
    X
    • Themselves
    Wayne Mayotte
    • Self - Owner - Club 88
    Brendan Mullen
    • Self - Owner - Masque
    Greg Ginn
    • Self - Black Flag (Guitar)
    Chuck Dukowski
    • Self - Black Flag (Bass)
    • (as Gary McDaniel)
    Robo
    • Self - Black Flag (Drums)
    Ron Reyes
    Ron Reyes
    • Self - Black Flag (Vocals)
    Nicole Panter
    • Self - Germs' Manager
    • (as Nicole)
    Darby Crash
    Darby Crash
    • Self - Germs (Vocals)
    Michelle Baer Ghaffari
    • Self - Darby Crash's Roommate
    • (as Michelle)
    Pat Smear
    Pat Smear
    • Self - Germs (Guitar)
    • (as Pat)
      • Penelope Spheeris
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to director Penelope Spheeris this film was financed by two businessmen who originally wanted to finance a porn film.
    • Quotes

      The Circle Jerks member: And at the bottom it says "Thank you." And you can tell 'em to fuck off.

    • Connections
      Featured in Prey for Rock & Roll (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Manimal
      Written by Darby Crash and Pat Smear

      Performed by The Germs

    User reviews38

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Brilliant, funny, scary...but selective.
    Everyone who's seen "Decline" knows how great it is. My favorite segments are those featuring Black Flag and Fear, because they're the funniest and the most visceral. Still, all the bands that actually STARTED the Los Angeles punk scene, apart from the Germs, are missing from this film. Where are the Weirdos, the Screamers, the Dils, and the Zeros? The Alice Bag Band is here, but they were better when they were simply the Bags. The Germs' segment is depressing. The very brief glimpses of Catholic Discipline were fascinating and made me wish that this band had at least recorded some demos. As a documentary, "Decline" is flawed...but it's indispensable, too. To find out about the bands this film didn't cover, read "We Got the Neutron Bomb" by Marc Spitz and Brendan Mullen. And to see what was going on in San Francisco right around the same time, get the much shorter (but equally brilliant) documentary "Louder Faster Shorter", directed by Mindaugis Bagdon. This twenty-minute burst of pure punk actually *does* feature the Dils--along with UXA, the Avengers, the Sleepers, and the Mutants.
    helpful•15
    3
    • InjunNose
    • Jun 6, 2004

    Details

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    • Release date
      • 1983 (Italy)
      • United States
      • Official Site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Spheeris Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 40 minutes
      • Black and White
      • Color
      • Mono

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