"Decline of Western Civilization" Series FINALLY on Blu-Ray/DVD!

Hell has apparently frozen over. All three "Decline" films will finally be available on Blu-Ray/DVD, in a box set via Shout Factory this June:



http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/iconic-decline-of-western-civilization-films-finally-get-official-release-20150324

Hold on to your pool chairs: All three of Penelope Spheeris' entertaining, heartbreaking and iconic Decline of Western Civilization documentaries are officially coming to Blu-ray and DVD for the first time in a deluxe box set on June 30th. Shout! Factory will release the four-disc anthology chronicling L.A.'s hardcore punk, hair-metal and gutter-punk phenomena with a 40-page book, extended interviews and a new commentary track by Dave Grohl. Each film has also been given a 2K high-definition restoration, which Spheeris supervised.

"I am so grateful to the fans of these films, and the bands that appeared in them, for their loyalty and patience," Spheeris, whose directorial credits also include Wayne's World and Black Sheep, said in a statement. "This is my life's work, and I like to think that when I go to my grave, The Decline is what I'll be remembered for."

Finally! That's great news.

SWEEEEET!!

I made my own DVD of "II: The Metal Years" a while back when it ran on IFC or Sundance Channel, but I haven't seen the original "Decline" in dog years... and never saw "III" at all.

I really have no interest in I or III. III seems particularly worthless to me.

Saw this news yesterday, did a double take or two. It's about time! But I had no idea there was a third entry.

I don't think "III" ever had much more than a token theatrical release, if that. I remember some years ago Penelope had her own "Decline" web page where she was giving away VHS copies of "III" for free if you signed up for the site's mailing list... I guess she got stuck with a ton of tapes after everyone transitioned to DVD, haha.

If it's cheap I might nab this but i'd probably only watch it once and then shelve it.

Something that I've never seen. I'll definitely be looking into this.

That's cool, it's about time. Although I'll probably pass on buying something like this. It'd be fun to watch Part II for old times sake, then collect dust with my other dvd's I don't watch anymore.

I vaguely remember watching the first one years ago but not caring much for it. Seeing that I now have a better knowledge and understanding of the punk scene at that time, I'd probably like it better now. Part III sounds like the weak link in that chain.

That's cool, I believe this is the first time the third film has ever had an official release.

I was kind of embarrassed by Part II when I first saw it.  When I was a teenager I was always trying to champion metal as something that should be taken seriously outside of the core fanbase...but that movie did my crusade no favors.  

S.D. wrote:

I was kind of embarrassed by Part II when I first saw it.  When I was a teenager I was always trying to champion metal as something that should be taken seriously outside of the core fanbase...but that movie did my crusade no favors.  

Indeed, Penelope Spheeris admitted in an interview with the A.V. Club in 1999 that the whole orange juice scene with Ozzy was faked.

I'll wait until they release II separately. It'll happen eventually.

Vexer6 wrote:

S.D. wrote:

I was kind of embarrassed by Part II when I first saw it.  When I was a teenager I was always trying to champion metal as something that should be taken seriously outside of the core fanbase...but that movie did my crusade no favors.  

Indeed, Penelope Spheeris admitted in an interview with the A.V. Club in 1999 that the whole orange juice scene with Ozzy was faked.

I've also heard the Chris Holmes scene was staged as well.

I've not seen any of them. I would be of most interest to me. I have seen far too many interviews with 80's metal guys acting like dicks.

Hadley wrote:

Vexer6 wrote:

S.D. wrote:

I was kind of embarrassed by Part II when I first saw it.  When I was a teenager I was always trying to champion metal as something that should be taken seriously outside of the core fanbase...but that movie did my crusade no favors.  

Indeed, Penelope Spheeris admitted in an interview with the A.V. Club in 1999 that the whole orange juice scene with Ozzy was faked.

I've also heard the  Chris Holmes scene was staged as well.

Holmes has given conflicting versions of what happened, in one version he said that he really did drink Vodka and in another he said that it was only water.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I don't think "III" ever had much more than a token theatrical release, if that. I remember some years ago Penelope had her own "Decline" web page where she was giving away VHS copies of "III" for free if you signed up for the site's mailing list... I guess she got stuck with a ton of tapes after everyone transitioned to DVD, haha.

I got this one at the time she was giving them away, I like how the Rolling Stone article states that "this has never been available on home video".? Well wtf do I have then.

...and I still have my DII on good ole VHS as well!

I loved the first one, it had Fear, Black Flag, and few other kick ass hard core bands

'II' was an interesting, but man did metal fans look like douche bags in that film

Hell, I never even knew there was a III

Hey Manny - I don't think METAL FANS look like douche bags - Sunset Strip fans left something to desire. But it was at the tailend of that scene. Don't think Faster P*ssycat fans would come off any different in any town.

1 was a strong no holds barred look at what virtually was the scariest (to me at least) era of music. II exists mostly as a curio. It's really not that good and does very little to benefit the genre.

Quote :

II exists mostly as a curio. It's really not that good and does very little to benefit the genre.

I've often said that the best way to enjoy "II" is to treat it as a mostly-unintentional comedy.

Sad as it may sound, it is a pretty accurate portrait of what was going on in L.A. at the time.

...which is why it cracks me up when people complain that the movie made metal look "ridiculous." I'm like "Of course it did...because it WAS ridiculous!"

I fail to see what was so "ridiculous".

Penelope should do a follow-up to Part II, a "Where Are They Now"-type movie. I'd love to know what Miss Gazzari is up to these days, like how many porno films she was in...



Or what state correctional facility this kid calls home...

Oh man, I'd love to scrape 80% or more of that decade permanently from my brain.