The Decline of Western Civilization

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The Decline of Western Civilization

1981

1h 40m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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41 Reviews

84%

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2,500+ Ratings

Director Penelope Spheeris surveys the late-1970s Los Angeles punk scene: X, Black Flag, Fear, Germs, Catholic Discipline, Alice Bag Band.

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Critics Consensus

The Decline of Western Civilization takes a frank, often funny look at the punk culture of the late '70s and early '80s.

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Nathan Rabin

Globe and Mail

May 8, 2021

The film's style is as brutal, stripped-down and purposefully devoid of frills as the music of its subjects.

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Michael Anthony

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Mar 23, 2021

Spheeris's film does have Its funny moments.

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Scott Cain

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mar 23, 2021

3/5

The musicians and their fans are both amusing and pathetic.

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D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

Nov 9, 2023

...emblematic of the cultural sect being catalogued...

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

Apr 16, 2023

The Decline of Western Civilization is a punk document not just because it chronicles punk bands, but because it’s made in line with that famous punk ethos: the mainstream sucks, do it yourself

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Rick Chatenever

Santa Cruz Sentinel

May 8, 2021

Spheeris' treatment goes out of its way to present a broad look at the subject that avoids easy generalizations in either direction.

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Jerrod G

@Jag1337 Dec 29, 2025

And we have started the series.

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Jim F

@ursaminorjim Jun 19, 2021

An absolutely vital document.

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Andy B

@AndyB21 Nov 8, 2020

More of a time capsule than anything else, this is a unique and uncomfortably fascinating snapshot, even if some of the interviews do drag a little.

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Dec 15, 2019

I was going to give it 4 stars, but did not. This is a great movie docu. style about punk rock and punk rock music and bands. It has interviews with band members and on stage playing and preforming. Really good movie, I believe it is hard to find if you find it watch it. This is a great movie for any punk rock fan or fan of the bands/people in the movie love it.

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Sep 26, 2018

The definitive punk rock documentary.

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Jul 15, 2018

Great music, great bands. Epic documentary.

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Penelope Spheeris

Director

Alice Bag

Actor

Claude Bessey

Actor

Don Bolles

Actor

Exene Cervenka

Actor

Philo Cramer

Actor

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

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The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

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Synopsis

Director Penelope Spheeris surveys the late-1970s Los Angeles punk scene: X, Black Flag, Fear, Germs, Catholic Discipline, Alice Bag Band.

Director: Penelope Spheeris
Producer: Penelope Spheeris
Screenwriter: Penelope Spheeris
Production Co: Spheeris Films Inc.
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 1, 1981, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m

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