Testament (1983)

"Testament" is, IMHO, the greatest anti-war film ever made. Its entire focus is upon one suburban family in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. There are no special effects, no bombs exploding; just the ordinary practicalities of dealing with the loss of electricity, garbage pick-up, food shortages and the inevitable radiation sickness. Jane Alexander, as the mom, is stranded at home with her three small children She knows not the fate of her husband who never came home from work. (Quite by accident, however, she discovers his "good-bye" message.) There are scenes with Alexander and her children that will break your heart into pieces. This is one of the reasons why this is not a film that should be seen with small children. This film brought me to my knees. I am crying now -- especially now -- just writing about it. (In the late Roger Ebert's review below, he confesses to the same reaction.) I never forgot it, yet over these years it hadn't been in the forefront of my memory. Lately, for the obvious reasons, it's been looming in that forefront.

http://www.rogerebert.com/revi...

Internet Movie Database

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt00...

Favorite of mine too.

Yes, I remember watching it when first shown. I was devastated. It's a great film, but I don't have the nerve to watch it again.

DottyParker said:

"Testament" is, IMHO, the greatest anti-war film ever made. Its entire focus is upon one suburban family in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. There are no special effects, no bombs exploding; just the ordinary practicalities of dealing with the loss of electricity, garbage pick-up, food shortages and the inevitable radiation sickness. Jane Alexander, as the mom, is stranded at home with her three small children She knows not the fate of her husband who never came home from work. (Quite by accident, however, she discovers his "good-bye" message.) There are scenes with Alexander and her children that will break your heart into pieces. This is one of the reasons why this is not a film that should be seen with small children. This film brought me to my knees. I am crying now -- especially now -- just writing about it. (In the late Roger Ebert's review below, he confesses to the same reaction.) I never forgot it, yet over these years it hadn't been in the forefront of my memory. Lately, for the obvious reasons, it's been looming in that forefront.




http://www.rogerebert.com/revi...





Internet Movie Database

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt00...

I watched this again recently. Didn't really like it when I saw it back in the 90s but it's aged well. Skip to 13:53 for a nice kick in the gut.