We had a considerable amount of interest in this release. We wondered what in particualr drove this interest. It being a famed PBS Playhouse TV film, given a broad release? It being an Imprint release with only 1500 copies in circulation? Or possibly its resonance after the Coronavirus pandemic and all that unleashed?

Another ordinary day in the Wetherley family. Kids to feed, school runs to do, clothes to iron, teeth to brush, a play to manage and finally get her husband to work in Chicago. Carol Wetherly (Jane Alexander) gets through the day by hard work and often wishing for the night and her time with her kids and her husband (William Devine). She manages the school play well, with the kids about to take on the story of the pied piper of Hamlin. Her work is getting everything ready for the family over 12 hours. The night comes and as sinner is ready and the kids are watching TV, all seems well. Abruptly a startling TV news bulletin, warning of a terrible nuclear nightmare about to happen.  Moments later a blinding flash consumes the sky and blinds the eye. Her husband is gone, her town is in tatters and her perfect life shatters as she fights to save her family that she holds so dear.

Well. Much can be said of the ominious depth that is mined here. The feel of strecthing a 3 page treatment into TESTAMENT seems to have benefited directly from the genres many great works. It plays up the monsterousness of a nuclear event in this realm but also seems to have touched works from Shelley, Shiel and Stewart. Director Lynne Littman directs with an attention to focus on a very specific family journey, a personal gripping, deeply moving journey that is not an easy watch. Leaving a bad taste in the mouth for some, including me. TESTAMENT masterful core is Alexander, she rightly and deservedly gained an Oscar nomination for her role. Her mother fragmented by anger, loss and finally apathy, is delivered with such power and balance. The 1080p HD presentation should be highlighted here as having kept the TV feel of the piece, that rightly heightens the deliver of performances and direction. I note this because often the fear of reframing, cleaning and clarity revision is not present.

I am not an expert in the post apocalypse film genre, David J Moore is and really is the discs most compelling extras. His commentary is the first port of call for anyone looking for both an informed explaination as to why we are drawn to this genre (in our droves and across a broad range of communities and many languages and cultures.) He also does something quite unlike anyone else. He talks about the growth and fixations of the genre. Some of which appear here. Amanda Reyes focus is more on the rise of TV Movies and she does skirt around THE DAY AFTER and SURVIVORS. Mentioning a little about THREADS but cleverly analyses the skills of TV direction and production. It needs a second listen as its dense in a good way but Moore is easier for an interested person of the genre.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
• NEW Audio commentary by TV Movie expert Amanda Reyes
• NEW Audio commentary by David J Moore author of World Gone Wild: A Survivors Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies
• Testament at 20 – featurette
• Testament: Nuclear Thoughts – featurette
• Timeline of the Nuclear Age
• Theatrical Trailer
• Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Limited Edition slipcase on the first 1500 copies with unique artwork

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