Testament
1983 · Movie · PG · 90 min · ★ 6.4 · 80% critics
In a quiet California town, an ordinary day is shattered when reports confirm nuclear attacks across the country. As basic services fail and radiation sickness spreads, a local family and their neighbors try to hold on to routine, community, and compassion while facing an uncertain future.
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Details
- Years
- 1983
- Release date
- 1983-11-04
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Critic score
- 80/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.4/10 (138 votes)
- Budget
- $750,000
About
If you want a personal, intimate take on nuclear aftermath that focuses on everyday survival and grief rather than chaos, this may hit hard; Not for you if you need fast pacing or escapism—similar to Threads or The Day After.
Pros: deeply emotional drama; strong performances; realistic small-town focus | Cons: very slow pace; relentlessly depressing tone; limited action spectacle
Themes
- small town
- california
- nuclear war
- dystopia
- disaster
- based on short story
- woman director
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1984 · nominated
Cast & crew
Jane Alexander
as Carol Wetherly
William Devane
as Tom Wetherly
Rossie Harris
as Brad Wetherly
Roxana Zal
as Mary Liz Wetherly
Lukas Haas
as Scottie Wetherly
Philip Anglim
as Hollis
Lilia Skala
as Fania
Leon Ames
as Henry Abhart
Lurene Tuttle
as Rosemary Abhart
Rebecca De Mornay
as Cathy Pitkin
Directed by Lynne Littman