The Decline of Western Civilization

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1h 40m

Documentary

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100%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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

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

May 8, 2021

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Michael Anthony

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Spheeris's film does have Its funny moments.

Mar 23, 2021

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Scott Cain

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The musicians and their fans are both amusing and pathetic.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 23, 2021

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D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

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

Nov 9, 2023

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

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

Apr 16, 2023

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Rick Chatenever

Santa Cruz Sentinel

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

May 8, 2021

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Jim F

An absolutely vital document.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/21

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

The definitive punk rock documentary.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

Great music, great bands. Epic documentary.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

I despised the music and most of the subjects but it's a fascinating time capsule movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Penelope Spheeris

Director

Alice Bag

Actor

Claude Bessey

Actor

Don Bolles

Actor

Exene Cervenka

Actor

Philo Cramer

Actor

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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
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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