USA, 1983
90m, 8057 feet/2456 metres
35mm film, colour
mono, English
An American science fiction film directed by Lynne Littman.
Plot Summary
In the aftermath of a nuclear attack on the United States, a small suburban community near San Francisco struggles to cope with the horrific aftermath after it’s cut off from the outside world. In particular, a mother tries to save her family who are all badly affected by the attack and its radioactive consequences.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Lynne Littman
© MCMLXXXIII [1983] by Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures presents an Entertainment Events production in association with American Playhouse with funds from public television stations, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The National Endowment for the Arts and Entertainment Events, Inc. A Lynne Littman film
Produced by: Jonathan Bernstein & Lynne Littman
Associate Producer: Andrea Asimow
Screenplay by: John Sacret Young
Based on the story The Last Testament by Carol Amen
Director of Photography: Steven Poster
Editor: Suzanne Pettit
Music Composed by: James Horner
Sound Mixer: Lee Alexander
Costume Designer: Julie Weiss
Makeup Artist: Tonya Wexler
Hair: Marilyn Poucher
Special Effects: Chuck Stewart
Production Designer: David Nichols
Casting: Margery Simkin *
Cast
Jane Alexander (Carol Wetherly)
William Devane (Tom Wetherly)
Ross Harris (Brad Wetherly)
Roxana Zal (Mary Liz Wetherly)
Lukas Haas (Scottie Wetherly)
Philip Anglim (Father Hollis Mann)
Lilia Skala (Fania Morse)
Leon Ames (Henry Abhart)
Lurene Tuttle (Rosemary Abhart)
Rebecca De Mornay (Cathy Pitkin)
Kevin Costner (Phil Pitkin)
Mako (Mike)
Mico Olmos (Larry)
Gerry Murillo (Hiroshi)
J. Brennan Smith (Billdocker)
Lesley Woods (lady mayor)
Wayne Heffley (police chief)
William G. Schilling (pharmacist)
David Nichols (worried man)
Gary Bayer (angry man)
Alternative Titles
Das Letzte Testament – Germany
Testamento final – Spain
Viimeinen testamentti – Finland
Testamento – Portugal
Links
See also
The War Game (1965)
Includes extracts from
Sesame Street (1969-)
Press
1984
Melody Maker 17 March 1984 p.30
Testament is the first feature by documentary director Lynne Littman, and it avoids both politics and hysteria. […] The sincerity of all concerned grips the attention, with Jane Alexander turning in a marvelous portrait of day-to-day strength. Nothing you don’t know, perhaps, but one from the heart. – from a review by Brian Case
References
Periodicals
- The British National Film and Video Catalogue vol.23 (1985) – review
- Cinefantastique vol.14 no.3 (May 1984) p.54 – review
- City Limits no.127 (9 March 1984) p.26 – review
- Film Comment vol.19 no.6 (November/December 1983) pp.78-79 – review
- Film News vol.14 no.4 (April 1984) pp.6-7 – review
- Films and Filming no.354 (March 1984) p.45 – review
- Films in Review vol.35 no.1 (January 1984) pp.45-47 – interview
- The Hollywood Reporter vol.279 no.13 (31 October 1983) p.3, 14 – credits, review
- Melody Maker 17 March 1984 p.30 – review (by Brian Case)
- Metro no.63 (1984) p.36 – review
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.51 no.602 (March 1984) pp.89-90 – credits, synopsis, review
- Motion Picture Product Digest vol.11 no.9 (2 November 1983) pp.33, 34, 36 – credits, review
- New Musical Express 10 March 1984 p.21 – illustrated review (by Cynthia Rose)
- Photoplay vol.35 no.4 (April 1984) pp.56-57 – review
- Premiere June 1984 p.11 – review (by Stella Molitor)
- Screen International no.420 (12 November 1983) p.6 – note
- Screen International no.424 (10 December 1983) p.6 – note
- Screen International no.435 (3 March 1984) p.24 – review
- Time Out no.707 (8 March 1984) pp.6-7; 47 – article; review
- TV Guide vol.32 no.47 (24 November 1984) pp.51-52 – review
Newspapers
- Daily Mail 9 March 1984 p.24 – review
Books
- The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.385
- The Films of the Eighties by Robert A. Nowlan and Gwendolyn Wright Nowlan p.575
- Horror and Science Fiction Films III by Donald C. Willis p.271
- Nuclear Movies: A Filmography by Mick Broderick p.97
- The Psychotronic Video Guide by Michael J. Weldon p.563 – credits, review
- Screen World 1984 volume 35 by John Willis pp.85-86 – illustrated credits
- Variety Science-Fiction Movies by Julian Brown (ed.) p.110-111 – credits, review
