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The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
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Overview
Plot:
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
A rare glimpse at an overlooked scene moreCast
 | 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 |
| Frank Gargani | ... | Appears as Himself |
| Bill Gazzarri | ... | Himself |
| 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 |
Directed by | |||
| Penelope Spheeris | |||
Writing credits(in alphabetical order) | ||
| Penelope Spheeris | writer | |
Produced by | |||
| Jeff Prettyman | .... | producer | |
| Penelope Spheeris | .... | producer | |
Cinematography by | |||
| Steve Conant | |||
Film Editing by | |||
| Charlie Mullin | |||
Sound Department | |||
| Gary C. Bourgeois | .... | sound re-recording mixer | |
| Alan Kutner | .... | sound recordist | |
| Nick Neutra | .... | sound mixer | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Penelope Spheeris | .... | additional cinematographer (as P. Spheeris) | |
| James R. Tynes | .... | assistant camera | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Mary Nelson-Duerrstein | .... | negative cutter (as Mary Nelson) | |
Production CompaniesDistributors
- Media Home Entertainment (1996) (USA) (VHS)
- Nu Image Films (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
100 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
USA:Not RatedMOVIEmeter: 
8% since last week
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Fun Stuff
Trivia:
According to director Penelope Spheeris this film was financed by two businessmen who originally wanted to finance a porn film. moreSoundtrack:
Beef Balogna moreFAQ
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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.