The Decline of Western Civilization
1981
Not currently streaming on CaSTV
Synopsis
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.
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) is a 1h 40min documentary feature film by Penelope Spheeris. The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film.
Key facts
Cast
Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag, Claude Bessy, Dinah Cancer, Exene Cervenka, Lorna Doom, Darby Crash, Don Bolles
Original language
English
First release
July 1, 1981 (United States)
Crew
Screenplay
Penelope Spheeris
Producer
Penelope Spheeris
Cinematography
Steve Conant
Editing
Charlie Mullins, Peter Wiehl
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2021 generic
- National Film Preservation Board 2016 generic
- Viennale 2008 generic
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | The Decline Of Western Civilization (1980) | 9 releases, 1980-2022: Expanded Music, Slash, Survival Research |
| CD | The Decline Of Western Civilization (1980) | 2 releases, 1993: Slash |
| Cassette | The Decline Of Western Civilization (1980) | 4 releases, 1980-1983: Slash |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | United States | July 1, 1981 |
| Television | Finland | August 24, 1996 |
| Theatrical | Finland | October 17, 2025 |
Full credits
| Director | Penelope Spheeris |
| Cast | Eugene Tatu (Self), Alice Bag (Self), Claude Bessy (Self), Dinah Cancer (Self), Exene Cervenka (Self), Lorna Doom (Self), Darby Crash (Self), Don Bolles (Self), Philo Cramer (Self), John Doe (Self), Lee Ving (Self), Greg Ginn (Self), Chuck Dukowski (Self), Ron Reyes (Self), Pat Smear (Self), Greg Hetson (Self), Keith Morris (Self), Nicole Panter (Self), Penelope Spheeris (Self), D.J. Bonebrake (Self), Rick Schmidlin (Self), Spit Stix (Self), Derf Scratch (Self), Mac Neely (Self - Manager - Club 88), Rob Ritter (Self - Alice Bag Band (Guitar)), Terry Graham (Self - Alice Bag Band (Drums)), Kenny DaSilva (Self - Light Bulb Kid), Malissa Hutton (Self - Light Bulb Kid), Roger Rogerson (Self - Circle Jerks (Bass)), Lucky Lehrer (Self - Circle Jerks (Drums)), Dutch Michaels (Self - Bouncer), Milt Wilson (Self - Concert Promoter), Gary Hirstius (Self - Sound Man), Billy Zoom (Self - X (Guitar)), Top Jimmy (Self), Rick Brodey (Self - Catholic Discipline (Bass)), Craig Lee (Self - Catholic Discipline (Drums) / Alice Bag Band (Guitar)), Phranc (Self - Catholic Discipline (Guitar)), Robert 'El Vez' Lopez (Self - Catholic Discipline (Keyboards)), Steve Samiof (Self - Publisher - Slash Magazine), Chris D. (Self - Contributing Writer - Slash Magazine), Philomena Winstanley (Self - Editor - Slash Magazine), Bob Biggs (Self - Publisher - Slash Magazine), Michelle Baer Ghaffari (Self - Darby Crash's Roommate), Robo (Self - Black Flag (Drums)), Brendan Mullen (Self - Owner - Masque), Wayne Mayotte (Self - Owner - Club 88) |
| Screenplay | Penelope Spheeris |
| Producer | Penelope Spheeris |
| Executive producer | Gordon Brown, Jeff Prettyman |
| Cinematography | Steve Conant |
| Editing | Charlie Mullins, Peter Wiehl |
| Sound | Kevin Williams |
Additional data: TMDB.
