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The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
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Review by Matt H

Last updated: 06 Jun 2026 at 22:35 UTC

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Review of The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) by Matt H — 10 Feb 2009

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Showed me that I was born in the wrong fucking decade.

This review of The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) was written by Matt H on 10 Feb 2009.

The Decline of Western Civilization has generally received very positive reviews.

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Review of The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

By John F (961) on 03 Aug 2009

I don't like Penelope Spheeris at all…

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By Richard Harrington (181) for Washington Post (9,851) on 10 Dec 2012

A movie so pungent and filled with sweaty intensity that you can practically smell the rank body odour of the film's subjects as they hurl…

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By Jason Bailey (832) for Flavorwire (598) on 27 May 2016

Spheeris doesn't stand at the remove some documentarians do; you feel like you're in the scene, at those shows, and in those rooms…

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By Terri H (1,064) on 01 Dec 2008

The definitive documentary on punk by a punk fan in the midst of the punk period in LA…

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By Macdara C (142) on 26 Oct 2012

Footage and interviews of the bigger bands that made up the uplifting and culturally diverse underground punk scene in LA in 1980…

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By Jordan (47) on 09 Sep 2008

Great punk movie with great bands like the germs, black flag, and the circle jerks…

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By Elric A (7) on 09 Jan 2010

OK... Look around... Did we blow the world up yet…

Review of The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

By Patrick G (451) on 17 Jun 2016

Perfectly captures the self destructive nihilism of the late 70s punk movement through interviews and great performances by X, Fear, Black…

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By Variety Staff (1,156) for Variety (12,700) on 26 Mar 2009

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…

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By Dave R (1,620) on 23 Apr 2009

A great documentary about the punk scene in LA in the late 70's/early 80's. you see some legendary bands in their prime here…

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