The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 40min
- Documentary, History
- 1983 (Italy)
- Movie
A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
Director:
Stars:
Award:
- 1 win.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
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Eugene Tatu | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
(as Eugene)
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Alice Bag Band | ... |
Themselves
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| Black Flag | ... |
Themselves
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Catholic Discipline | ... |
Themselves
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Circle Jerks | ... |
Themselves
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Fear | ... |
Themselves
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The Germs | ... |
Themselves
(as Germs)
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X | ... |
Themselves
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Wayne Mayotte | ... |
Self - Owner - Club 88
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Brendan Mullen | ... |
Self - Owner - Masque
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Greg Ginn | ... |
Self - Black Flag (Guitar)
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Chuck Dukowski | ... |
Self - Black Flag (Bass)
(as Gary McDaniel)
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Robo | ... |
Self - Black Flag (Drums)
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| Ron Reyes | ... |
Self - Black Flag (Vocals)
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Nicole Panter | ... |
Self - Germs' Manager
(as Nicole)
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| Darby Crash | ... |
Self - Germs (Vocals)
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Michelle Baer Ghaffari | ... |
Self - Darby Crash's Roommate
(as Michelle)
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| Pat Smear | ... |
Self - Germs (Guitar)
(as Pat)
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| Lorna Doom | ... |
Self - Germs (Bass)
(as Lorna)
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| Don Bolles | ... |
Self - Germs (Drums)
(as Don)
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| Bob Biggs | ... |
Self - Publisher - Slash Magazine
(as Robert Biggs)
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Philomena Winstanley | ... |
Self - Editor - Slash Magazine
(as Philomena)
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Claude Bessy | ... |
Self - Editor - Slash Magazine / Catholic Discipline (Vocals)
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Chris D. | ... |
Self - Contributing Writer - Slash Magazine
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Steve Samiof | ... |
Self - Publisher - Slash Magazine
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Robert 'El Vez' López | ... |
Self - Catholic Discipline (Keyboards)
(as Robert Lopez)
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Phranc | ... |
Self - Catholic Discipline (Guitar)
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Craig Lee | ... |
Self - Catholic Discipline (Drums) / Alice Bag Band (Guitar)
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Rick Brodey | ... |
Self - Catholic Discipline (Bass)
(as Rick Jaffe)
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| John Doe | ... |
Self - X (Vocals & Bass)
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| Exene Cervenka | ... |
Self - X (Vocals)
(as Exene)
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Billy Zoom | ... |
Self - X (Guitar)
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Top Jimmy | ... |
Self
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Kit | ... |
Self - Roadie for X
(as Kit the Roadie)
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Rick Schmidlin | ... |
Self
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Chuck | ... |
Self - Roadie for X
(as Chuck the Roadie)
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D.J. Bonebrake | ... |
Self - X (Drums)
(as Don Bonebrake)
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Gary Hirstius | ... |
Self - Sound Man
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Milt Wilson | ... |
Self - Concert Promoter
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Dutch Michaels | ... |
Self - Bouncer
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| Greg Hetson | ... |
Self - Circle Jerks (Guitar)
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Lucky Lehrer | ... |
Self - Circle Jerks (Drums)
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Roger Rogerson | ... |
Self - Circle Jerks (Bass)
(as Roger Dowding)
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| Keith Morris | ... |
Self - Circle Jerks (Vocals)
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Jennipher | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
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John | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
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Michael | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
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Malissa Hutton | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
(as Malissa)
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Lorna | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
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| Dinah Cancer | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
(as Mary)
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Carla | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
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Kenny DaSilva | ... |
Self - Light Bulb Kid
(as Kenny)
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| Alice Bag | ... |
Self - Alice Bag Band (Vocals)
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Terry Graham | ... |
Self - Alice Bag Band (Drums)
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Rob Ritter | ... |
Self - Alice Bag Band (Guitar)
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Mac Neely | ... |
Self - Manager - Club 88
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Philo Cramer | ... |
Self - Fear (Guitar)
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Derf Scratch | ... |
Self - Fear (Bass)
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Spit Stix | ... |
Self - Fear (Drums)
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| Lee Ving | ... |
Self - Fear (Vocals & Guitar)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Penelope Spheeris | ... |
Self - Interviewer
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| Jennifer Finch | ... |
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
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Frank Gargani | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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Jenny Lens | ... |
Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Penelope Spheeris | ||
Produced by
| Gordon Brown | ... | executive producer |
| Jeff Prettyman | ... | executive producer (as Jeffrey Prettyman) |
| Penelope Spheeris | ... | producer (produced by) |
Cinematography by
| Steve Conant | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Charlie Mullin | ||
| Peter Wiehl | ||
Editorial Department
| David Colburn | ... | assistant editor |
| Mary Nelson-Duerrstein | ... | negative cutter (as Mary Nelson) |
Sound Department
| Gary C. Bourgeois | ... | rerecording mixer (as Gary Bourgeois) |
| Nick Neutra | ... | mix engineer |
| Kevin Williams | ... | documentary sound |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Allen Blaisdell | ... | assistant camera |
| Wayne Hauser | ... | gaffer |
| William Meurer | ... | additional photography (as Bill Muerer) |
| Penelope Spheeris | ... | additional photography (as P. Spheeris) |
| James R. Tynes | ... | assistant camera (as Jim Tynes) |
| Peter Wiehl | ... | lighting director: concert |
Music Department
| Gary Hirstius | ... | music engineer |
| Alan Kutner | ... | music engineer |
Additional Crew
| Michelle Baer Ghaffari | ... | post-production coordinator (as Michelle Baer) |
| Chuck Keefe | ... | production assistant |
| Read Miller | ... | production assistant |
| Alain Saint-Alix | ... | production assistant (as Alain Saintalix) |
| Mark Vallen | ... | titles |
| Kevin Williams | ... | pre-production coordinator |
| Jonathan Dana | ... | producers representative (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Bob Biggs | ... | special thanks (as Robert Biggs) |
| Ron Hugo | ... | special thanks |
| Wayne Mayotte | ... | special thanks |
| Brendan Mullen | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- Spheeris Films (presents)
Distributors
- Manson International Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Nu-Image (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Filmways Australasian Distributors (1982) (Australia) (theatrical)
- B's International (2016) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Giangi Film (1983) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Image Entertainment (1988) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- King Records (2016) (Japan) (DVD)
- Media Home Entertainment (1982) (United States) (VHS)
- Shout! Factory (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Shout! Factory (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Video Classics (1984) (Australia) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cinema Research (opticals)
- Ryder Sound Services (re-recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by Rich Swenson |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | See it in a theater.... where you can't get hurt. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $100,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to director Penelope Spheeris this film was financed by two businessmen who originally wanted to finance a porn film. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Prey for Rock & Roll (2003). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Manimal See more » |
| Quotes |
The Circle Jerks member:
And at the bottom it says "Thank you." And you can tell 'em to fuck off. See more » |