haunting--from the things the director doesn't show.

Not nearly as grim or depressing as it wants to be. The British film "Threads" was done better, in my opinion.

Testament is a post-apocalyptic family drama. Supposedly, nuclear bombs fall on the U.S, though not in the vicinity of Hamlin California, so life seems to go on almost normally with the family running gingerly in the fields and mom giving life advice to the kids, until they start dying off with hardly any prior signs of illness. The film seems to believe its own amoral absurdity. Sappy music abounds. "Realistic and believable"?? Watch "Threads".

Deeply emotional and moving drama, which pulls off the simultaneous feat of never succumbing to sentimentality. Alexander's lead performance is a powerhouse, and the supporting cast of largely child actors are equally affecting. Writing is incredibly perceptive and realistic in the ways I would expect many communities would react in similar circumstances. A welcome counter to the many more graphic renderings of similar material in the 1980s; a forgotten gem ripe for rediscovery.

Not a terribly good film (though not too shabby by made-for-TV standards) but it is effective, and depressing. Points deducted for extra-cheesy musical score.

From the moments the bombs fall, you know it will be a grim descent from there. And it was. Maybe not many surprises in the developments, but keeping the focus on the family at least gives a decently depressing effect. Too bad about the music... a sober approach would have been less obviously heartstring-tugging.