The Decline of Western Civilization
See it in a theater.... where you can't get hurt.
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
Documentary
Music
7.2
112 reviewsRuntime: 100 min.
Budget: $100,000
Revenue: N/A
Release Date: 1981-07-01
Director(s): Penelope Spheeris
Production: Spheeris Films Inc.
Languages: English
IMDB: tt0082252
Where to Watch
Stream: 
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
Fandor
Philo
Night Flight Plus
Fandor Amazon Channel
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
DocuramaFilms Amazon Channel
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel
Amazon Prime VideofuboTVFandorPhiloNight Flight PlusFandor Amazon ChannelAmazon Prime Video with AdsDocuramaFilms Amazon ChannelShout! Factory Amazon ChannelQello Concerts by Stingray Amazon ChannelRent: 
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeBuy: Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTube
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeData from JustWatch
Collection: The Decline of Western Civilization Collection
The Decline of Western Civilization Collection Collection
Trailers
Cast
More Like This
![BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT in ゴシック&ロリータバイブル [3,000セット限定生産] / 趣味教養](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw185%2F%2F7NorgNbcavh5LAg5mey5dsszyQ6.jpg&w=384&q=75)
Recommendations
Reviews
talisencrw★ 9/101/15/2016
Though I both am neither a punk aficionado (I have seen X live in Detroit in 2008) nor an expert on Spheeris' films (I have seen and enjoyed both 'Wayne's World' and 'Little Rascals'), this was very satisfying. The energy and spirit of these rebellious youths really comes across well, and the clever assertion from one of the interviewees that punk is simply another form of folk and protest music, albeit with different instruments and at a faster speed, rings true. Though I'm not privy to the Los Angeles scene (I'm from Windsor, Ontario, for crying out loud), it appears to be quite an accurate depiction, although it doesn't seem to grab hold, perhaps, of the underground movement. Seeing this, I look forward to the latter two parts of the trilogy, and only wish over the years that Spheeris had expanded her sights, and made documentaries of other, vital, forms of music in L.A., such as folk, hip-hop, rap, jazz, classical, experimental, even soundtrack work for films, since Hollywood is right nearby, and as someone already part of the filmmaking scene, she would have had access to some of the greats of our time.