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Jane Alexander, William Devane, Rossie Harris

The Wetherly family copes with the news that nuclear bombs have been detonated across the country, and it's only a matter of time before one explodes near their own home. When it does, thousands are k...( read more  read more... )illed, and matriarch Carol (Best Actress nominee Jane Alexander) tends to the newly orphaned children while trying to keep her own family together. With a sealed fate, Carol tries to explain the things her kids will never experience on their own.

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74% liked it

212 ratings

PG, 89 min.

Directed by: Lynne Littman

Release Date: November 4, 1983

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DVD Release Date: December 7, 2004

Stats: 85 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (85)

  • bort16
    July 3, 2009
    bort16
    It's almost a far gone conclusion that a post apocalyptic film is going to be decorated with sets of destruction, chaos, squalor, grime, etc. It's a fair assumption. That's what makes Testament such a unique entry into the genre.
    The film focuses on a Californian family. They ar...( read more)e, quite fittingly, a nuclear family. The father, Tom (William Devane), is a health nut. He goads on his son, Brad (Rossie Harris) to keep up with him as they cycle. A bit harsh, maybe, but lovingly, certainly. He's a jovial family man. There are two other children, an adolescent daughter and an active five year old (Lukas Haas in his first role). Running the household is the Mother Carol (Jane Alexander). She is the heart and soul of the film. Tom's morning bike ride goes through town introducing us to neighbours along the way - including an Asian gas station owner and his young son with down syndrome, always looking for someone to take him fishing.
    Ted works in San Diego, and heads to the office, everyone assuming it will be a day like any other. Carol checks the answering machine to hear that Ted says he'll be running late, then calling back to say he will be coming for dinner. The tv scrambles, then a rumble and blinding light. That is the extent of the explosion in Testament. It is, by apocalyptic definitions, a quiet low key picture. The effect of the blast on their town is minimal. Ted however does not return home on time, nor at all. Without news, the family waits day after day hoping he can make it through what must be the twisted and demolished landscape outside of their town toward the city. In distressing fashion, his fate is confirmed later by his own words.
    As time passes, fallout begins to set it. It creeps in like an invisible fog, slowly taking its toll. People begin to die from radiation sickness; gasoline and food supplies begin running out; the cemeteries fill, and eventually bodies must be burned on a spire as the sky's light is ever slowly being choked out by nuclear ash and dust. While movies like Threads show us what it would like to live directly in the blast area, Testament actually hits home with more impact it its subtlety. Most of us living in these smaller towns. It's quite possible this is what life would be like immediately after for us.
    Testament gets under your skin with its brooding psychological impact. One of the films most crushing scenes comes as a mother washes her son by candle light, slowly realizing he is dying. In fact if there ever was a perfect word to describe Testament, it would be crushing. It's almost unbearable. Threads is as well, but in a different way. That was like a chainsaw to the face, this is like a punch to the stomach. But even when it looks like all is lost - and may be - hope still finds a way to shine on. In Carol, and in the young challenged Chinese boy, who remains happy with life's smallest pleasures. After all, that's where the key to survival lies.
  • DrBenway
    March 14, 2009
    DrBenway
    Very understated drama about the aftermath of a nuclear war. This film is the direct opposite of The Day After and has no flashy special effects, no explosions, scenes of mass devastation and so on. Instead the focus is on an American suburban family which has to contend with th...( read more)e inevitable effects of World War III.

    Testament shows very effectively the possible reality of what would have happened to any small town in America if a nuclear attack had happened in the early eighties. Jane Alexander does a great job as the mother trying to keep her family together during the beginning of the end. I would recommend this movie for the serious movie watcher who is looking for more substance and drama from a movie rather than action and suspense. Remember to recycle your batteries.
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  • RThornhill
    July 3, 2009
    RThornhill
    recommended by bort16.
  • SadisticMinister
    March 15, 2009
    SadisticMinister
    Recommendation from DrB
  • Nenebelle
    February 16, 2009
    Nenebelle
    Testament is a story told through the eyes of a housewive/mother trying to cope and take care of her family after a nuclear attack. The movie begins quite slowly letting us get to know what the family is like. After the attack the mother keeps a journal and we see several scenes ...( read more)from happier days played on a projector in the mothers memory. Besides from two bright flashes of light this movie offers no other special effects but it does show us emotional devastation,suffering,personal loss and heartbreak in a realistic and believable manner. Quite a few scenes brought tears to my eyes and i think i am in need of a feel good film.
  • hypathio7
    February 5, 2009
    hypathio7
    nominated for best picture by NBR
  • Ghw12158
    August 8, 2008
    Ghw12158
    kind of dated now but was gripping
  • shaelise95
    August 27, 2007
    shaelise95
    Very very very sad film, but extremely good. at least that's how I remember it.
  • mynotes
    August 12, 2007
    mynotes
    One of the most depressing films ever (although I guess I haven't seen everything!) It's about a nuclear holocaust, and one family trying to cope with the aftermath.
  • rhillman1780
    June 2, 2007
    rhillman1780
    starts out sad and keeps getting sadder, notice rebecca demornay and kevin costner in their roles

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