|
|
 |
|
The Decline of Western Civilizationx
  (31 reviews)
Best Price: $25.00
Centered on the early '80s punk movement, this remains the best of Penelope Spheeris's three attempts to chronicle the musical and angst-ridden subculture of urban Los Angeles. The film's style, like the music, is abrasive, frank, and packed with energy, as it moves swiftly from hilarious band and fan interviews to the loud, raucous shows inside seedy L.A. nightclubs. Despite its tongue-in-cheek title, Spheeris neither condemns, nor glamorizes, the movement, though she definitely has an eye for talent and thankfully plays favorites. Lesser acts like Alice Bag Band and Catholic Discipline are given minimal screen time (enough so we understand why they've been forgotten) in favor of bands that either possess off- stage charisma (Circle Jerks) or onstage potency (Fear's finale, winding their audience up with insults, is punk in its purest form). And, then there are X and Germs lead singer, Darby Crash. These two subjects comprise the majority of the film, as Spheeris hangs around their houses, captures numerous performances, and presents the movement's peak performers. While X does it mostly onstage--their mix of thrash and rockabilly are the most enjoyable of the live performances--Crash's stage is everywhere. A walking disaster, the singer candidly details--with simultaneously self-mocking humor and sadness--his drug abuse, miserable life, and the places that no longer let him play. The fact that he died shortly after production stamps Spheeris's brazen time capsule with a morbid, though appropriate, epitaph. --Dave McCoy
UPC: 014381604665
|
Customer Reviews
|
Who put the punk in the punk-a-punk-a-punk
By A2B8GXSCB1R05T on 2003-03-01
In my high school days, a copy of "Decline of Western Civilization" was a treasure of purest gold. While the soundtrack was easily copied and traded, VHS to VHS copying was not so easy, and it was impossible to rent. These days, a copy may be rarer still."Decline of Western Civilization" is one of those "voice of a generation" type of videos, like footage of Woodstock might have been to the hippies. For many of us lonely punk rockers, in small towns throughout America, this video was one of the few places to actually watch bands like The Germs, X , Fear or Black Flag play live and to witness the energy that we listened to in our bedrooms. It let us know that we were part of a larger group. As to the quality of the documentary, I am a little to colored by nostalgia. Of course, it is great. It is punk and has attitude, and that is what matters. I wish I had a copy.
A Cure for Curiosity
By AUABIV8XRPLMG on 2005-07-24
I recently found a bootleg of this documentary, and right away I was drawn into it. This really shows us (rather than telling us) what the hardcore punk scene was like in L.A. in the late '70s- early '80s. We get to see live performances of The Germs, FEAR, Catholic Discipline, X, Alice Bag Band, Circle Jerks, and Black Flag. In addition, we see shots of the crowd, which is pretty cool. The parts that I found the most interesting were when Penelope Spheeris would talk to the kids individually.
If you can't find this anywhere, and don't want to pay $50+ for it, don't fret. Penelope Spheeris recently bought the rights back for all three Decline movies, and plans to release them as a DVD box set.
Brilliant
By A12VPEOEZS1KTC on 2002-05-15
Anyone who has any interest in Punk music will love this incredible film. For those who don't like punk but love hard, fast music, you will love this. And for the rest of you, it just rates as compelling viewing/social commentary. I've been trying to find a copy of this for a long time, I'm hoping it will be re-released soon. I watched this originally for the Black Flag and X footage. The several X songs that are shown played live in this are amazing!! If you are an X fan, this is something that you HAVE to watch.
More than a documentary
By A1H4IIBT6KA56A on 2005-02-11
I wrote a paper on this for an anthropology class, wherein I put forth the opinion that "Decline" was in fact a better anthropological film than most of the 'real' anthro films out there (Gardner, Rouch, etc); I ended up winning an award for it, so there must be something to that concept. Spheeris captures a culture (OK, OK - subculture) at a single moment in time in a way that even well-respected anthropological filmmakers can't often do: she uses open ended questions and contrasting viewpoints brilliantly, and refrains from hiding the fact that her presence has an impact on what is going on (often documentarians try to 'hide' themselves and pretend that their cameras, boom mics etc. are invisible, which is of course ridiculous and misleading). I guess making narrative films is much more lucrative, but considering the generally poor quality of her hollywood output, I wish Spheeris would return more often to her roots, because she has a genuine talent for this sort of thing.
Please release this on DVD!!!!!
By A37F0X50J5NZ5Y on 2005-07-04
The best punk/hardcore documentary made,hands down!!! The early footage of some of the most inportant of LA punk/hardcore is an absolute necessity for fans of late 70's/early 80's punk.I beleive the reason for this not being re-released has a lot to do with ex-Black Flag guitarist,Greg Ginn.He has been threatening labels with lawsuits for years.If you have seen the Slog movie,that is a perfect example.He would not let the current DVD release show his face in the live Black Flag footage! He has also sued his own brother,Raymond Pettibon over the rights for the old black flag artwork.On top of all that he is partly responsible for the Let Them Eat Jellybeans compilation not being released on CD.It seems his only interest is making direct cash off the SST record label he runs.He has obviously become a greedy,middle aged jerk who has decided not to share great music of the era with future generations.He has become the exact opposite of what Black Flag once so proudly stood for.That is basically the reason this great piece of punk history will not be seen on DVD unless he loses another one of his lawsuits.A damn shame!!!
- HUNGRY PUBLIC DEMANDS RE-RELEASE!
By AF26PGC17Y15H on 2002-07-04
This video is it - the greatest punk rock movie of all time. Used videos sell for big bucks, people are making a killing selling bootleg copies. This is a film that just BEGS to be released again - (and while we're at it, surely there is some "lost" footage that could be added for a DVD release.) We want Darby! We want Alice! We want Exene! And Lee! And all the gang!
- Oh Come on Now!
By A2IDGV0NCT1ZOR on 2005-01-19
Seriously, if some perverted studio is going to put the Paris Hilton sex tape on DVD or the Pam and Tommy, then what the hell is the problem with putting this on DVD? You can find ANYTHING on DVD these days. . .I just bought Saved by the Bell the other day. Catching my drift??
- It is on DVD
By A2E9P9W7VU9CL6 on 2006-02-14
Uh, its out on DVD, 17.95 where i am. So i dont know what you guys are talking about. It is a great movie, good intro to real punk if you dont already know what that is. These are all good bands, they give you something, over-produced , rich new age punk bands can't. and any of you that think greenday or blink 182 is punk your clueless
- RE-RELEASE PLEASE!!!!!!
By A1S5SCRF4CNT8A on 2002-10-20
A dvd copy would greatly be appreciated here. The best Punk video of all time. They Re-issued Suburbia why can't they do that for this piece of history??? The scenes with Black Flag, X, and the Germs (R.I.P. Darby) are awesome. Maybe people will realize that Pat Smear was in a band before Foo Fighters/Nirvana. WE NEED MORE OLD SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!
- when is this gonna be on dvd???
By on 2004-07-07
i remember hearing this movie's soundtrack years ago on the faint signal of the college radio station in lawrence, ks. it was really late at night, and the band FEAR's song "i love livin' in the city" comes on. whoa! with all the insults, swearing, and spit, i knew this was really punk rock! i recorded the show, and made my friends a dub copy. they passed it to there friends, and we were converted from listening to sludgy 70's dinosaur rock, to hard ,fast punk.
who knows how many bad copies were made from my static-y bootleg?
anyway, it was a while later (after i moved away from kansas) before i found a copy of the movie at my local crappy video store (it was stolen soon after).i haven't seen it since!which really peeves me cuz' this movie is great! Man... X, Circle Jerks, FEAR, Germs,Black Flag,what a primer. there are hilarious and horrific moments, and i know others feel as excited about this as i do. this was a really great slice of sleaze, a good time capsule for those fun reagan years (sic)
so...
Why the HELL is this movie out of print and going for 200 clams for a VHS -USED? ? where do i sign the petition to tell hollywood or whoever is sitting on this to get off their asses and release this on dvd???huh? well...we're waaaiiitiiing!
and remember, old punks never die, they just stand away from the pit now.
- DVD
By A2TJMAXC0JPHUY on 2005-03-31
PUT THIS ON DVD. THE VHS IS SELLING FOR 50 BUCKS...its ridicoulous. darby is rolling over in his coffin
- A Punk Documentary with Substance
By A2PTWL99P2MWEN on 2002-12-02
Without question the best documentary of REAL punk with some of the finest video footage of these bands I,ve ever seen. Interviews of kids like the ones we were. Killer live music from the Germs, Black Flag (pre-Rollins), and the Circle Jerks. This needs to be re-released on VHS and many are waiting for a DVD edition.
- Great Flick, Ridiculous Price
By on 2004-07-06
200-400 bucks for a VHS? Please. This situation defies all that this movie is. It is an excellent document of a time of confusion and upheaval, and it manages to leave out the "name-brand" bands, the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. These are not only real punks, but real people without a commercial agenda. This is the movie that put Penelope Spheeris on the map, and I wish she'd go back to documentary filmmaking. And hey, if they can charge a mint for used copies here, why not a DVD release with extra performances and other material?
- This needs to be released on DVD!!!
By A3LRRKX568Q5FJ on 2005-01-16
...and it needs to be released uncut with all original material! (I saw it at a midnight movie screening and Eugene's racist comments & Lee Ving's homophobic comments were cut out) I first saw this movie when I was 13 years old and it got me into punk. Definately a historical piece of film, if it were made available on DVD I would buy it in a heartbeat!!! Classic stuff!
- the decline of western civilization
By A3JPK5J31FS13G on 2005-01-27
This movie is a very important social document, one which should be preserved and made readily available to all who wish to understand a very particular and interesting time in our recent history. I only wish that we all could have grown more from this experience of rebellion, it gave me hope for societal change, and I still hold out for an end to political repression in all forms.
SMASH IT UP!
- PUNKS FOR PROFIT
By A39C289FH2461K on 2005-04-16
Yea I have waited for this title to be released on DVD since DVDS were invented, and I probably havent seen the actual movie in 25 years. All youz scumbags that sell the ripped bootleg for hundreds of dollars can shtuff it buddy, get off the intermutt and go spin some of yer greenday records its over with bye bye. Penelope whats the hold up?
- We're Starving..
By A374YYA49WLBTD on 2002-08-24
We're starving for this video reissue. I still have the original sound track with Darby on the cover. We need this film out on DVD now! Let's face it, authentic rock music like this may not be back for a while...
- WHEN CAN I GET IT ON DVD>>>PLEASE???
By A3H623BG58LD3F on 2004-10-18
ok..this NEEDS to be on DVD...this documentary NEEDS to be AVAILABLE to EVERYONE!! i am not about to pay 250-300 effn bucks to own this on USED VHS!!! come on and get off yer asses you @ the studio! people will PAY to own this on DVD why havent you figured that out yet! i have looked everywhere, no one has this...PUT IT ON DVD!!! IT WILL BE WORTH IT!! THINK...the greatest movie ever on DVD it will be like..magic! DO IT!!
PUT IT ON DVD!! PUT IT ON DVD!! DVD!! DVD!! DVD!! DVD!!
- DVD NOW!!!
By A3KOBE95ETKYQB on 2004-10-29
Please please please release this on DVD. I could repeat the points stated previously by other reviewers about how this is a moment in history captured like no other for punk rock, but i won't. I know of 17 people right now looking for this movie. We have the soundtrack, we want the DVD!!!
- Excellent Punk Documentary & Concert Footage
By A1JI068MK6K8QR on 2006-01-09
I first saw the Decline of Western Civilization back in the early 90s. I then was able to buy it from Blockbuster Video for under 5 dollars. I can't believe someone is trying to sell it here for almost 600 dollars. That's crazy. It is an excellent documentary and has some really good concert footage of early 80s punk. I would highly recommend this if you like punk of the early 1980s.
- A great movie made better by the worst bands
By A2SY96MS3AIGXJ on 2002-06-18
my favorite bands in this movie are the terrible obscure Eurotrash art punk bands, Catholic Discipline and the Alice Bag Band. I haven't seen this movie in years so I son't exactly remember their songs, I just remember they were incredibly brave to get onstage and sing their slow pretentious songs and share a scene with Black Flag.
- Awesome!
By on 2002-07-04
If you are old school punk you mustsee, no must own this documentary. The live performances are fantastic and the interviews with the bands and punks are great!
- Excellent L.A. punk documentary
By A3PZR5NI1EGMP1 on 2003-01-12
While I think the Decline is skewed in its presentation of punk rockers (except for the Slash footage, she focuses primarily on the violent parts of the scene), it still has terrific live footage of some great bands at an incredible time in punk music history, including Black Flag, Fear, The Germs, and X. It's also very well made, so if you have the slightest interest in punk, you shouldn't miss seeing this.
- Changed my life, at the time
By A1F800726UXPHR on 2004-09-16
When I saw this movie, as a teenager in High School, it blew me away. I was already listening to Black Flag, Fear, and the Circle Jerks, but to see them all together, playing classic shows in LA was AMAZING. Indeed this was a cherished VHS tape. I was lucky enough to be able to rent it back in the day, and amazingly enough, no one stole it. I rented it and dubbed a copy and then I had my own. Now I see it on ebay for $200. That's crazy! If Darby came back from the dead and saw this video going for $200 he'd puke all over the scumbag that is selling it.
All of you that aren't lucky enough to have some kind of copy of this, no need to fear. Use the P2P network software of your choice (Kazaa, etc.) to download the Mpeg movie file. I did and then I burned it to a CD. IF your DVD player plays VCDs, then you are set. The quality is like my old dubbed second generation VHS copy, but who cares! Punk wasn't about clarity and perfection.
Anyways, I gotta go, cause I'm watching it right now.
P.S. Movie Company: RELEASE THIS ON DVD, NOW!!!!!!
- Decline of Western Civilization is Crucial!
By AHK4W1HJBDY7U on 2006-11-28
I first saw the Decline of Western Civilization about a year or so ago and it was extremely hard to rent or buy in video stores around my area and still is. This video shows both the rough parts and more comedic parts of the early punk movement in the early 80's. It made me wish that I had lived through those days and I became very jealous of anyone who had. I think it's essential to watch this even if you really aren't very big into the punk scene. Music was about having fun and doing what you love back then and when you watch Darby Crash of The Germs or Greg Ginn of Black Flag or Exene Cervenka of X on stage you become amazed at their ability to totally imerse themselves in their own music and let themselves go into the loud and chaotic scene that was punk rock.
Though the performances are great to watch, it is almost more amusing to see how the mucisians interact while the camera is on them offstage. Seeing Black Flag's cramped living quarters and Darby Crash being unphased as a huge tarachala (sp?) walks up his arm helps you see how much of the musicians' efforts went into this lifestyle as well as the hairstyles, tattoos, and drugs that passed through along the way.
While watching this, it is hard not to be somewhat sad about the way the music industry seems to work these days. Yeah, money would have been nice but it is clearly evident that they weren't doing these gigs for the money.
Not only are the artists featured on the video classics, but the random bunch of kids that the director picks to interview are great. They say exactly what comes out of their head and exactly what they are feeling about politics, religion, their music, or their parents. It definately makes young and angry teens feel like they aren't alone... when I watched this for the first time I just wanted to jump in the pit and blow off my stress. I reccomend this video to any music conosuier. Have a good time!
- "i'm an X-head....get it?"
By A2Y7C7CR40YFPL on 2007-05-17
love love love this movie... was living in or near LA during this era and it was alive! ..Billy Zoom looking like Mr. Clean or some guy from a larger than life 30's socialist propaganda poster come to life against the originally grungy background... the beauty of Darby Crash...even if he is the later-arriving, less talented poorer-man's Iggy Pop
you see the list of bands... it was amazing and is so well documented.. when it is out and legit i will pay... i have seen it 9 times... i showed it 8 times while in college and was lucky enough to be at a friend's friend's house once since.. i will be buying a few copies for some of my younger true punk friends too.. not the corporate punk numbskulls who dont even know what they dont know, but some young folks who want something genuine and with artistic integrity, even if that is all it has
this truly rocks... part of the history of the day the music undied... the zombie living dead rebirth (okay, Iggy and Ramones and NY Dolls,LA . et al maybe rebirth... this is the zombie toddler stage ;-D) of American Music...
- Its time for Decline
By A2Y8N5RTEWA1JK on 2004-08-13
I dont really understand why this isnt out on DVD. This documentary is so great, I remember first seeing that movie and thinking it was the greatest thing that had ever slipped hard and fast into my VHS. I was lucky to see it because NOBODY returned that tape when they rented it, so you had to track down whoever stole it from one of the few video stores that previously had it. Thats how good this documentary is! So if and WHEN it comes out on DVD which I hope it does, GRAB IT AND GRAB IT FAST! Because trying to rent it on DVD will be just like trying to rent it on VHS!
- the end of the beginning
By ANTEL1FM05OG8 on 2008-09-05
I showed my ancient VHS copy of this film to a [much] younger friend. in fact, she is- oh, dear god- 19 years younger than me. however, since I never grew up, nor had my own kids- and still love this music- she treats me like a peer. which is sort of nice.
she loves punk rock, which to her, is a much different thing from my reference to this music. I decided to show her Decline to see what she thought. she LOVED it. she was glued to the screen, and after the movie ended, she turned to me and said 'MORE! I WANT MORE!'
yes, more. we all want some more...
this film depicts the pivot point when first-era punk was fading out, and the skankers started taking over. Darby, Exene, many others have voiced their disgust and sadness over what punk had turned into. but in a way, that's how it has to be with forces of this nature. for a time, something amazing blossoms on the surface of the third planet. it explodes, it delights, it inspires; and then, it dies.
though the Screamers and the Weirdos- probably my favorite LA bands- were not filmed here, I still treasure my copy of Decline. I love, love love the Germs. I never got to see them, and then- RIP Darby Crash. we were going to see the Darby Crash Band at the Deaf Club- I think there were even flyers for the show- when we heard the news. ha! I was decorating the Xmas tree with my mom. we had our hands full of light strings when the TV announced that Darby was dead. we both looked at each other- she loved punk, too- with total disbelief. and yet, it was just another sign that what we had loved was DEAD. 1980. punk continued, of course, but sullied by testosterone idiocy and a lack of diversity that I mourned. when something goes over-ground- the virus is weakened, and new strains infect.
Decline makes me laugh at the memories of my own leather-jacketed idealism, of drunken nights, poring over albums with my buddies, trying to decipher hidden meaning in the lyrics, marveling at the music. and it makes me sad. to watch the death of something wonderful that changed my life.
still, I'm glad it's there, for young 'uns to marvel at, and for me, to smile again at that happy beast that gave me so much joy.
- The Kids Are Alright
By A3TZV5SXQ8F6ST on 2008-09-11
Producer Penelope Spheeris ignores the pop culture sunglasses that obscured the true meaning of punk rock and showed the true grit from the bands and fans in this gritty 1981 documentary of the West Coast scene.
The performances and the interviews - with band members and fans - are powerful depictions of a subculture that meant so much to those involved on stage and those slam-dancing the night away.
The bands featured - including Black Flag, The Germs, X, Circle Jerks, Catholic Discipline and Fear - are the standard bearers for a West Coast musical movement which soon branched out into thrash metal and gangsta rap, along with a swaggering style that has elements in today's subculture.
There was tragedy before the film was released; Germs singer Darby Crash died from a heroin-induced suicide. The movie promotional poster featuring Crash was designed before his death.
From the rubble left by the East Coast implosion of punk came the amazing California movement. And the documentary proves that the kids are alright.
- Nothing matters--on Speed
By A4TVX5141Y2TG on 2008-09-20
This film captures the high-energy nihilism of punk. One scene shows punkers joking about posing for photographs with a corpse. Life and death are meaningless, supposedly.
But we cannot live this out consistently. We know better in our better moments. Eternity is in our hearts.
That is the decline of western civilization. Can it ascend?
|
|
You may also be interested in...
|
|
|
|
|
|
