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Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, The Circle Jerks, Fear ... see more see more... , The Germs , Keith Morris , Bags , X

The performers, attitudes, and music of late '70s, early '80s Los Angeles punk scene are documented in this film by director Penelope Spheeris. Not merely a compilation of concert footage, The Decline... read more read more... of Western Civilization compiles numerous viewpoints on the meanings of the punk movement, from journalists -- one of whom calls punk the folk music of the 1980s -- to club security guards, to the punks themselves. The center of the film, however, is the music, which is fast, loud, and abrasive and often played with purposeful ineptitude; the lyrics are intentionally controversial and shocking, often seeming to embrace violence, sexism, racism, and even Nazism, though usually in an ironic manner. The performances, by bands such as Black Flag, X, The Circle Jerks, and Fear, are mostly shot from within the audience, where the camera often becomes an unwitting participant in the crowd's slam dancing. Especially fascinating are the performances by The Germs, thanks to the antics of their violently self-destructive lead singer Darby Crash, who would later die of a drug overdose and gain a martyr status within the punk community. The film was followed several years later by a sequel focusing on the world of heavy metal. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

48% want to see it

2,368 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

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Flixster Reviews (154)

  • rubystevens
    January 7, 2009
    rubystevens
    a view from the pit at the height of the l.a. hardcore scene, circa 1980. blistering performances by black flag and x among others. film quality isn't great as this hasn't had a dvd release but it's well worth watching for those interested in a bunch of bored middle class kids ... read morebent on self destruction. i enjoyed it!
  • RemiLogan
    January 26, 2010
    RemiLogan
    It was interesting, but I guess because I was alive for the end of this era of music, I don't really appreciate it
  • BantamDraper
    June 6, 2010
    BantamDraper
    This is the first and my favorite in the series. This look at punk music and the whole scene surrounding it is a great look.
  • ChthoniC
    January 26, 2010
    ChthoniC
    PUNK. This will help people not around at the "birth" of punk rock, boring at times, shitty bands at time but overall it's a pretty good documentary. The Germs!
  • bleedirony
    July 20, 2009
    bleedirony
    The opening credits to this film made it clear that this was a film that I would never forget and that I was always going to have a special place in my heart for. I had this movie on VHS forever. I asked my dad if I could have it when he had to close down his video store in the ... read moreearly 90's(fucking blockbuster opened up across the street) I let my one of my ex-girlfriends borrow it in high school and she kept it when we broke up, fucking bitch! I had to buy it a few years later on DVD(UK version which is region 2) on ebay for 35 dollars! which was worth it. The Fear and The Germs footage are still the best part of the whole film.

    "Gimme a Beer!" - Darby Crash
  • sunnypnut
    May 16, 2009
    sunnypnut
    Another movie that's kinda hard to get your hands on. I bought my copy a few years back off eBay. Never made it to DVD, so I hope you still have a VCR. Haha. Amazing interviews with some of the best punk bands around, including one with Darby Crash, now-deceased singer of the Germs.
  • pincat
    March 24, 2009
    pincat
    fuck yeah!

    i haven't seen this since high school, so maybe it's not as good as i remember.

    but still, fuck yeah!
  • asciigod
    July 7, 2008
    asciigod
    An interesting curiosity piece, but not really all that insightful. Mostly popular due to its scarcity and the cult fervor of fans. A decent watch, especially for the Black Flag portion, but cinematically completely devoid of substance.
  • campbell16
    March 12, 2007
    campbell16
    The DVD? Please? Someone put this out on DVD. West Coast Punk at its finest. One of the best documentaries on Punk Rock. As good or better than The Filth and The Fury
  • appolloblu
    January 28, 2007
    appolloblu
    The little herd of L.A. punk years, lots of great stuff to see here if your a fan of the scene, also check out II the Metal Years.

View All The Decline of Western Civilization Reviews

Critic Reviews

Douglas Pratt
June 10, 2005
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

the documentary is quite enjoyable

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

J. R. Jones
January 1, 2000
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Cole Smithey
January 5, 2008
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

Nell Minow
May 12, 2005
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
November 29, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Chris Barsanti
January 18, 2004
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • Which L.A. Punk band did not appear in "The Decline of Western Civilization" (the original)  Answer »
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