Testament (DVD, 2004, Widescreen Collection)

I've loved Testament ever since I saw it as a child, about 15 years ago. This movie is an eerily accurate portrayal of what could be, of what could happen if nuclear war ever came to the US. We've all seen images, either real, fabricated, or of wreckage, of what happens at the point of direct impact when a nuclear bomb explodes (ie before and after pictures of Hiroshima), but it's easy to forget that it isn't only the people the bomb actually kills/injures at the moment of detonation that suffer. Testament shows that EVERYONE within a large radius suffers the effects of radiation poisoning, and lovingly but accurately shows what happens to a family and small community after the bomb. This movie is not the special effects extravaganza that people expect to see now, but an emotional portrayal of real life- losing children, parents, friends and even your own will to live. Testament is designed to make you think- what would it be like to bury your own children? What would it be like to know that you'll never grow up, fall in love and make love? More simply, what would it be like to live without the modern conveniences we've all become dependent on, such as cars, telephones or electricity? I love Testament for it's brutal honesty, emotional beauty and the wonderful way it was filmed with beautiful lighting and simple, realistic sets. This movie is a must see for anyone willing to think about the world as it could be- and hopefully willing to do their best to make sure it never is that way.

Made the same year as The Day After (1983), Testament is the scarier of the two - although The Day After is also an excellent film!

The film tells the story of the aftermath of a nuclear attack. A woman, whose husband is away on business, has to keep her family safe while her small suburban community deals with radiation, isolation and food shortage.

The script is smart and very real, the acting is amazing - Lukas Hass breaks my heart! - there are no special effects since the real story is about the people who survived the attack.

Highly recommended but be warned that you will need a big box of tissues for this one!