The Decline of Western Civilization

R16

1981

100 mins

Poster for The Decline of Western Civilization

Directed by Penelope Spheeris
100%
83%
Documentary
Music

Documentary which dives headlong into the chaos of the LA punk rock scene, circa 1980, and features Black Flag, X,... More

Documentary which dives headlong into the chaos of the LA punk rock scene, circa 1980, and features Black Flag, X, Circle Jerks and Germs.

"In 1979 Penelope Spheeris was directing music videos for million-selling West Coast bands whose very existence was part of the reason why punk rock erupted in the first place. But Spheeris preferred fast and loud music. At night she snuck out to bars and pointed her camera at much more exciting bands. The result was an exhilarating portrait of the LA punk scene at its white-hot pinnacle. Complete with the first footage of real mosh pit action, Decline… combines incendiary live performances with amazingly candid and frequently hilarious interviews to create a priceless record of American musical, social and personal revolutions-in-progress." (Sydney Film Festival)

Less

Where to watch The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization is available to stream in... More New Zealand now on DocPlay.

The Decline of Western Civilization | Ratings & Reviews

100_%41 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
83_%2,691 reviews
Audience score rating

"A bracing, stimulating and technically superb close-up look at the LA punk scene, pic is pitched at a perfect distance to allow for simultaneous engagement in the music and spectacle, and for rueful contemplation of what it all might mean."

—

Variety

"Black Flag, X, the Germs, Fear, Circle Jerks — Penelope Spheeris' look at the Los Angeles scene is a virtual roll call of the MVPs who'd help turn the region into a hardcore/punk Mecca."

—

Rolling Stone

"''The Decline of Western Civilization'' is a shrewd and engrossing documentary even for audiences who have absolutely no patience for the music it includes."

—

The New York Times

"A bracing, stimulating and technically superb close-up look at the LA punk scene."

—

Variety

"The interviews are mostly very funny, probably not always intentionally so. It's far from unmissable, but it's valuable rock history with some great noise."

—