The Decline of Western Civilization Part III

1998 1h 26m EN

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 50

DocumentaryMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A musical study of Los Angeles in the late 90s, where homeless teens roam the streets and profess to live a punk lifestyle of music, drugs, and flouting authority.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Rick Wilder
Self
Flea
Self
Stephen Chambers
Self
Gary Fredo
Self
Keith Morris
Self
Eyeball
Self
Myke Chambers
Self
William A. Kirkley
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Penelope Spheeris
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

86 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

28 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "The Decline of Western Civilization Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, shot by Jamie Thompson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Phil Suchomel. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Ross Albert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Rick Wilder and Flea and Stephen Chambers carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Penelope Spheeris directs. Jamie Thompson behind the camera. Phil Suchomel scores. Ross Albert cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

186 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
228 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Part of the "The Decline of Western Civilization Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Penelope Spheeris, shot by Jamie Thompson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Phil Suchomel. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Ross Albert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Rick Wilder and Flea and Stephen Chambers carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0138393 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 50 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.