Testament |  | Director: Lynne Littman
Actors: Jane Alexander, William Devane, Rossie Harris, Roxana Zal, Philip Anglim
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
Buy New: $17.95
as of 3/21/2010 01:25 EDT details
New (21) Used (19) from $12.91
Seller: isleeperi
Rating:  73 reviews
Sales Rank: 15273
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 89 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D017394D
ISBN: 0792197445
UPC: 097360173949
EAN: 9780792197447
ASIN: B00062IDJW
Theatrical Release Date: December 1983
Release Date: December 7, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
There seemed to be a particular spike in nuclear-war paranoia in the early 1980s, probably having to do Reagan's finger being on the trigger. Whatever the cause, it resulted in two particularly powerful 1983 films on the subject: the made-for-TV The Day After and Lynne Littman's Testament, which had a theatrical release before playing on PBS's American Playhouse. Starring Jane Alexander (and Kevin Costner in a cameo), the film shows what happens to a suburban family in the Pacific Northwest after a nearby nuclear attack. As it turns out, those killed by the initial blast are the lucky ones; Alexander and her family must suffer through radiation poisoning and sickness, the daily diminution of life this causes, and, for Alexander, the eventual deaths of those around her. Quietly powerful and never overstated. --Marshall Fine
Description
In TESTAMENT, an unexpected nuclear strike has occurred and no one knows who did it or why it happened. With her husband away on business, and now unable to be reached, Carol Weatherly must remain strong for the sake of her children. Things take a turn for the worse once food and other supplies become scarce. . The film is directed by Lynn Littman.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 73
 Haunting, Powerful and Realistic: Testament February 12, 2010
Todd Mcfadden (Morgantown, WV)
The only movie that I will admit makes me cry every time I see it, Testament stands out among the many nuclear holocaust/cold war films of the 80s. Unlike films like The Day After, Testament is not a schlocky science fiction film with mushroom clouds, graphic violence or the always inexplicable roving bands of post-apocolyptic survivors led by the hokey madman. This is a realistic portrayal of real people that will appeal to acting buffs, a realistic portrayal of post-apocolyptic circumstance that will appeal to science fiction buffs and a masterful screenplay and direction that will appeal to film buffs.
Testament is a realistic look at the survivors in a small California town, not directly hit by the blasts. The ordered confusion, hopeful attempts to continue "normally", and then the frustratingly hopeless realization that all you knew is gone and you will soon follow. Seen through the eyes of a "typical" family (realistically portrayed by a cast that includes veteran actor William Devane (the only well-known "star" in the film), Testament first lulls you into a sense of security. Not by making the family a milquetoast cast of mannequins. The family is not at all dysfunctional but have the warts of any real close relatives.
On a typical day the family (the 3 kids portayed by Lukas Haas in his first role, Rossie Harris and Roxana Zal) goof about while their mother (Jane Alexander) awaits her husbands' (Bill Devane)return from a business trip to San Francisco. The terror begins with an emergency broadcast on the television and then a sudden burst of bright light and air-raid sirens. This is the beginning of a slow end that is as emotionally heartbreaking as it is frightening.
This movie has exactly the quality that makes me love a film - ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Moments that stand out are the families taking in of the local gas station owner's developmentally disabled son after his father dies, the daughter's finding the courage to ask her mother what making love is like - realizing she will never get the chance to experience it herself, and the attempted suicide of remaining family members. The story is sometimes narrated by the heartbreaking "testament" of the mother as she chronicles their last days in her journal. Also catch what may be the first screen appearance of a young Kevin Costner.
The film is a little depressing as there is no typical "saved by the cavalry" ending here. This frankly adds to both the realism and the appeal of Testament. This film proves that subtelty, great writing, great acting and great direction trumps special effects and action every time.
 3 stars out of 4 March 1, 2009
One-Line Film Reviews (Easton, MD)
The Bottom Line:
A quiet and moving (and bleak and depressing) look at America before the end, Testament never attained the level of cultural penetration that The Day After did but in its own way its a worthier film; with a powerful performance by Jane Alexander in the lead and a conclusion that'll put a lump in your throat, it's quite a little gem.
Excellent service. January 26, 2009
Carol L. Stanley (Issaquah, WA)
Excellent portrayal of a difficult time we all feared in the 50's, 60's and 70's.
Underrated November 11, 2008
J. Camp (Boston MA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Simply put, I knew of this movie for awhile but never watched it. I saw Threads, The Day After and such many years ago but always put this movie on the back burner. This movie did not have the graphic nature of many nuclear war movies, and that is what made it work. It didnt need it. One's own imagination of the breaking down of society and the bleak future was troubling and made me a little sick. Definatley watch this movie.
Still makes sense October 30, 2008
T. Steffes (South Dakota, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I know this was made in the early 80's, and I was born in the late 70's. The cold war was pretty much over by the time i was in grade school. I heard good things about this movie over at imdb, and too a chance renting it, and I'm glad I did.
The story is pretty straightforward, and it leaves out info like what country did the attack, which would have made no difference to them anywhow. A nice, normal family goes about it's day, Dad heads to the city for work, Mom helps at son's preschool, daughter practices piano, and then the brightest light, a nuclear bomb goes off. They were spared the explosion but not the fall out.
As a mother, I found this story so sad and heart wrenching because the things that were killing her family were totally out of her control, and there was no place to go for help. This movie does take a real look at grief, from the teddy bear cene to the birds and the bees scene. With all the threats of terrorism, I think this movie fits quite well with today's society. It made me feel like I had no control over protecting my daughter, and the sad truth is I wouldn't be able to save her. Duck and cover? Get out of here. They just say that so people feel like there's something they can do. I loved this movie, and thought it was very powerful. On the DVD they do interviews with the cast and crew 20 years later, and I enjoyed watching that.
I don't think this is a movie I will ever forget, and I'm so glad I watched it. I just hope none of us ever has to live something like it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 73
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