The Decline of Western Civilization

Penelope Spheeris's 1981 documentary plunges into the raw Los Angeles punk scene of around 1980, featuring performances and portraits of bands including Black Flag, X, Fear, the Germs and the Circle Jerks.

Filmed at the height of the Southern California hardcore explosion, this documentary captures the sound, attitude and lived reality of LA's punk underground circa 1980. Director Penelope Spheeris pairs electrifying live footage from acts such as Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs and X with glimpses of the musicians' offstage lives. Blending music documentary with social portraiture, it stands as a vivid record of a scene in full flight.