Testament Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Testament Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 19, 2026

Lynne Littman's "Testament" (1983) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Lynne Littman and writer Sam Wasson; two documentaries; archival reunion program; oritinal trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

CQ, CQ, is anybody out there?

Testament is equally easy to praise and dismiss. It is very effective because it hits suddenly and leaves an impression of the kind that never truly fades away. If you see it, you will ponder several what-if scenarios, all of them terrible, and the more time you spend with them, the easier it will become for you to concede that they are entirely realistic. However, as odd as it may sound, it is precisely for this reason that Testament also becomes easy to dismiss. The scenarios you will ponder are now largely outdated. Testament comes from the 1980s, and its grasp of the massive disaster that a nuclear war instantly becomes is limited by its understanding of the damage nuclear weapons can cause. Indeed, the latest nuclear weapons are many, many times more powerful than the ones that would have been used during the 1980s. They are a lot more precise, too. If used, the latest nuclear weapons would not leave any civilian survivors. The only lucky survivors would be a few high-ranking government officials who will be rushed to underground bunkers, and possibly a few of the wealthiest and most paranoid residents of this planet, all with valuable military connections, who have been preparing for and anticipating Armageddon for decades. Ironically, if you agree that Testament is a product of its era and accept that the latest nuclear weapons are many times more powerful and precise, you are again looking at an outdated scenario. In the present, if the tragedy that Testament warns about is to occur, it will not be initiated by nuclear weapons because they are essentially a boogeyman for the masses. Today, the military has advanced, far more lethal weapons whose ability to cause instant and total annihilation is impossible to reference and/or visualize for the masses.

The narrative is broken into two uneven, vastly different parts. The first part works with material that you would encounter in the likes of Mr. Mom and Summer Rental. In a quiet and safe, predictably beautiful provincial area of sunny California, Carol (Jane Alexander) and Tom Wetherly (William Devane) are raising their children and growing older while still very much in love with each other. As they are seen interacting, it becomes clear that each day of their existence is a happy one. The second part begins with a big bang that virtually all of the adults in the area instantly recognize. In the hours after it, Carol realizes that Tom will not come home, and San Francisco, where he is employed, no longer exists. The survivors then gather in the local church, a few struggling to remain composed and most visibly shaken, even borderline paranoid, where a doctor reluctantly reveals that they will all be suffering the various deadly consequences of nuclear radiation. Canned food and bottled water are rationed. A local gas station begins distributing what it has left in its storage tanks. Because electricity is cut off, all batteries in the area become priceless. Carol continues taking care of the children, often assuring them that Tom will soon be back, but at night, in the dark, her mind forces her to accept that her unconvincing acting will soon become utterly meaningless.

Virtually all of the horror is seen through Carol’s eyes or summarized by her chillingly calm narration. As a result, it will not be inappropriate to describe Testament as an intimate film. However, Testament hits really hard because it captures the essence of The End. Indeed, the horror holds a certain significance only while Carol drives around the area, observing and interacting, and it seems that some survivors, like a couple who decide to roll the dice and head up to Canada, may figure out how to continue living. But the horror gradually becomes irrelevant because everyone who should be able to comprehend it and ponder its scope is dying.

Testament Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Testament arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet provided with this release:

"Supervised and approved by director Lynne Littman and director of photography Steven Poster, this new 4K restoration was created from the 35mm original camera negative. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered from the 35mm magnetic DME track.

Mastering supervisors: Lee Kline, Giles Sherwood.
Colorist: Bossi Baker, Resillion, Burbank, CA.
Image restoration: Prassad Corporation, Burbank.
Audio restoration: The Criterion Collection."

The 4K makeover is quite disappointing. Although it produces healthy visuals with very good density levels, all of which look appropriately strong on a large screen, it gives the film an odd, problematic appearance. The entire film is made to look unnaturally cool and tealed. The most obvious errors affect primary blue and blue nuances, but primary green, primary brown, and primary red, as well as all supporting nuances, are also affected. As a result, the 4K makeover has many anomalies like the ones seen on the similarly problematic recent 4K makeovers of Network, Night Moves, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Eyes Wide Shut, and Sorcerer. The tealing, in particular, can be very distracting because it constantly sticks out. (Even the Paramount logo that precedes the film's opening credits is entirely compromised). There are no traces of degraining, sharpening, or other similarly problematic adjustments. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks spotless as well. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Testament Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not notice any improvements to report. I thought that this new track was every bit as healthy and effective as the one included on Australian label Imprint Films' release of Testament, which is the only other release of the film I have in my library. Admittedly, the soundtrack lacks material with significant dynamic contrasts, meaning that there are no legitimate opportunities for the lossless track to impress with strength. However, the existing dynamic contrasts and subtle nuances I thought were equally convincing on both tracks.

Testament Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Lynne Littman and Sam Wasson - in this new program, Lynne Littman and writer Sam Wasson discuss the former's background and love for music and cinema, as well as the conception and production of Testament. The program was produced for Criterion in 2025. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Number Our Days (1976) - presented here is Lynne Littman's documentary about anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff's work with members of the Israel Levin Senior Adult Center in Venice, California. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (29 min).

• In Her Own Time (1985) - presented here is Lynne Littman's documentary about her terminally ill friend Barbara Myerhoff. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (58 min).

• Testament at 20 - in this archival program, Lynne Littman, executive producer Lindsay Law, cinematographer Steven Poster, and cast members recall their collaboration on Testament. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (27 min).

• Nuclear Thoughts - this archival program focuses on the devastating power that nuclear weapons have and features clips from archival interviews, some with cast members. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (13 min).

• The Last Testament - in this audio recording, actor Jane Alexander reads the short story "The Last Testament", which inspired Lynne Littman to shoot her film. In English, not subtitled. (32 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Testament. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring critic Michael Koresky's essay "In the Twilight", as well as technical credits.

Testament Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In the past, a nuclear war was a pointless war because, contrary to what some military strategists believed, it could not be won. Today, it seems fair to declare that a nuclear war is an oxymoron. Contemporary nuclear weapons, which are no longer the most lethal, are incompatible with the classic definition of war. They can be used only to instantly initiate The End. Even though it is several decades old now, Testament is about the initiation of The End. While its grasp and visualization of it are predictably dated, its conclusion that if The End arrives, everything becomes meaningless is spot on. Criterion's release introduces a new 4K restoration of the film that is unconvincing. If you wish to add it to your library, it is best to find a way to test it first.