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.

Director:

Penelope Spheeris

Stars:

Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag Band, Black Flag

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eugene Tatu	...	Self - Light Bulb Kid (as Eugene)
Alice Bag Band	...	Themselves
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	...	Self - Black Flag (Vocals)
Nicole Panter	...	Self - Germs' Manager (as Nicole)

Storyline

The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | beer | self destructiveness | cult favorite | drug | 

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Taglines:

See it in a theater.... where you can't get hurt.

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The National Film Preservation Board chose the film for preservation in 2016 due to its artistic and cultural significance.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Self - Light Bulb Kid: [Eugene] That's stupid. Punk rock. I don't - you know - I just think of it as rock-n-roll; because, that's what it is, you know.
Self - Interviewer: What do you like about it?
Self - Light Bulb Kid: Well, I like that it's like - it's something new and it's just reviving like old rock-n-roll and it's like rare again and it's for real. And it's fun and, you know, it's like - it's not bull shit. There's no rock stars now, you know.

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Connections

Referenced in The Boys Next Door (1985)

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Soundtracks

Gluttony
Performed by Alice Bag Band

User Reviews

Wow

Today it is hard to understand the subcultural magnificence of punk. But watching this film makes me feel if only for a moment what punk really is. I wasn't even born when this documentary was made and only saw it about a yr ago. I had been detached from the punk scene and after seeing Penelope's Speeris's masterpiece I got that same rush I get when watching one of my favorite 70's punk bands do a set in the run down old attic club I used to frequent in my early teens. Those of you who choose to look down on the punk world, do not understand it. Not everything has to make perfect sense to everyone but this documentary deserves the respect it has earned for portraying an overlooked generation so perfectly.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1983 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Decline of Western Civilization

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Spheeris Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1