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Testament

Testament

Drama · Science Fiction · 1983

It's just another day in the small town of Hamlin until something disastrous happens. Suddenly, news breaks that a series of nuclear warheads has been dropped along the Eastern Seaboard and, more locally, in California. As people begin coping with the devastating aftermath of the attacks — many suffer radiation poisoning — the Wetherly family tries to survive.

Movie details

Testament

“They never had a chance to see their children grow up. To watch each other grow old. To fix up the house, to take that vacation. Because it only took an instant to shatter their dreams.”

1983 Drama · Science Fiction 1h 30m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

It's just another day in the small town of Hamlin until something disastrous happens. Suddenly, news breaks that a series of nuclear warheads has been dropped along the Eastern Seaboard and, more locally, in California. As people begin coping with the devastating aftermath of the attacks — many suffer radiation poisoning — the Wetherly family tries to survive.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Testament?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Lynne Littman

Written by

Carol Amen · John Sacret Young

Jane Alexander

Jane Alexander

Carol Wetherly

William Devane

William Devane

Tom Wetherly

Rossie Harris

Rossie Harris

Brad Wetherly

Roxana Zal

Roxana Zal

Mary Liz Wetherly

Lukas Haas

Lukas Haas

Scottie Wetherly

Philip Anglim

Philip Anglim

Hollis

Lilia Skala

Lilia Skala

Fania

Court is in session

Put Testament on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.