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The Decline of Western Civilization

Play trailer Poster for The Decline of Western Civilization 1981 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 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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The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review Michael Anthony Minneapolis Star Tribune Mar 23, 2021
Spheeris's film does have Its funny moments. Go to Full Review Scott Cain Atlanta Journal-Constitution Mar 23, 2021
3/5
The musicians and their fans are both amusing and pathetic. Go to Full Review D.M. Palmer Vague Visages Nov 9, 2023
...emblematic of the cultural sect being catalogued... Go to Full Review 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 Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jerrod G @Jag1337 Dec 29, 2025 And we have started the series. See more Jim F @ursaminorjim Jun 19, 2021 An absolutely vital document. See more 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. See more 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. See more Sep 26, 2018 The definitive punk rock documentary. See more Jul 15, 2018 Great music, great bands. Epic documentary. See more Read all reviews
The Decline of Western Civilization

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) View more photos

Movie Info

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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