Testament
Seen it?1983 | 90 min | Drama, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved War of the Worlds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Mind-bending.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar and 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 99K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lynne Littman
- Jane AlexanderCarol Wetherly
- William DevaneTom Wetherly
- Rossie HarrisBrad Wetherly
- Roxana ZalMary Liz Wetherly
- Lukas HaasScottie Wetherly
- Philip AnglimHollis
- Lilia SkalaFania
- Leon AmesHenry Abhart
- Lurene TuttleRosemary Abhart
- Rebecca De MornayCathy Pitkin