Testament 1983

In the quiet suburban Wetherly household, a typical morning unfolds as Carol navigates the daily routine of getting her three rambunctious kids - Brad, Mary Liz, and Scottie - ready for school. Amidst the chaos, Tom and Brad embark on a quick bike ride, with Tom’s keen eye scrutinizing Brad’s performance as they tackle a challenging hill. Their encounter with Henry Abhart, an elderly neighbor, and Mike, the owner of the local gas station, yields warm exchanges and a glimpse into the lives of those around them. Meanwhile, Carol is busily preparing for her role in directing the school play, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin,” with Mary Liz providing piano accompaniment and Scottie playing the role of a crippled boy.

That night, as Carol lies awake, she finds herself fretting over what to get Brad for his upcoming thirteenth birthday. Tom’s sleepy reassurances that it’s still two months away don’t ease her concerns, prompting her to start keeping a diary to process her thoughts and emotions. The next afternoon, the children are engrossed in TV time, while Carol listens to the answering machine messages from her mother in Chicago and Tom, who is away on business in San Francisco. One message promises his return for dinner, while another regretfully cancels those plans.

As they settle back into their routine, a sudden disruption strikes - the TV picture begins to distort and pixelate as Brad fiddles with the antenna. The phone rings, but Carol’s call goes unanswered. Just then, the broadcast is interrupted by an urgent news report: bombs are falling across the east coast and nearby San Francisco, prompting authorities to urge citizens to stay off the phones to keep lines open for official use. As if on cue, the TV screen flickers to black, and a cacophony of sirens pierces the air outside. Carol’s panicked cry sends her children scrambling to the floor, covering their eyes as she desperately seeks shelter from the impending chaos.

As the eerie silence dissipates, the residents of Hamlin cautiously emerge from their homes, their minds reeling with the aftermath of the devastating event. The wails of a distressed child pierce the air, prompting whispers of concern and confusion among the neighbors. It’s not long before they gather at the Abhart residence, seeking answers and solace. Henry, an amateur ham radio operator, has been in touch with other affected cities, but his attempts to reach San Francisco have yielded nothing. Carol queries about Chicago, only to receive a somber confirmation of its silence as well. Henry, determined to stay optimistic, reassures the group that though they may be down, they are by no means defeated.

Meanwhile, at the local gas station, Mike has taken it upon himself to prioritize his regular customers, dispatching any newcomers - including Hiroshi and those who never had time for him - with a stern warning. When Carol attempts to pay for her fuel, Mike reveals that someone else has already covered the cost many times over.

As the hours tick by, Tom’s absence becomes more pronounced, leaving Carol to take in Larry, the child of missing neighbors. A community meeting ensues, where the mayor, police chief, and Rev. Hollis attempt to boost morale, emphasizing the hope for relief to arrive soon. However, the reality is far from optimistic, as looting has occurred at the local supermarket and pharmacy, prompting their subsequent security detail.

Concerns about radiation exposure begin to swirl, particularly among new mother Cathy Pitkin, who’s worried sick about her baby’s health. The doctor offers some reassurance but concedes that he lacks the equipment to measure the extent of their collective exposure. In response, food is rationed, and batteries are collected for distribution as needed.

As tensions rise, Brad confronts an older boy caught pilfering batteries, a symptom of the growing desperation. As the days pass, the toll of illness begins to manifest, and Henry’s ability to reach out to other cities gradually dwindles. Yet, despite the dire circumstances, life persists. Children continue their playtime, Mary Liz continues her piano lessons with Henry’s wife, and the community struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy.

However, the devastating loss of Cathy Pitkin’s baby serves as a grim reminder of the true nature of their situation. The family decides to depart Hamlin in search of a safer haven, promising to return one day. The doctor, too, departs, leaving the Wetherlys and others to face an uncertain future. Rumors of survivors’ camps in northern Canada begin to circulate, but the Wetherlys have made up their minds: they will remain in Hamlin, no matter the challenges ahead.

As Scotty’s fragile health finally succumbs to the unforgiving environment, Carol’s anguish reaches a fever pitch as she frantically scours every nook and cranny for the comforting presence of his beloved teddy bear. Meanwhile, Reverend Hollis can wait no longer to conduct the solemn ceremony, while Mary Liz’s innocence is shattered as she comes to grips with the cruel reality that she will never experience the intimacy of love.

Brad continues his daily vigil at Henry’s bedside, where he finds solace in their conversations and shared struggles. Henry implores Brad to assume the responsibility of checking on their neighbors, a duty that would have been entrusted to Henry’s wife had she not fallen ill herself.

Carol’s diary entries become increasingly haphazard as she loses touch with time itself, a symptom of the creeping despair that threatens to consume her. The community continues to dwindle, claiming Larry and Mary Liz among its latest victims. In a desperate attempt to distract himself from his own losses, Brad finds himself at odds with a young thief who makes off with his bike, prompting him to reluctantly resort to his father’s old bicycle.

As the days blend together in an endless expanse of devastation, the community’s second meeting is poorly attended, its participants exhausted and demoralized. The police chief, visibly wracked by fatigue and illness, assures them that his men will remain on duty for as long as their strength permits, even if it means suspending essential services like garbage pickup.

In a bleak testament to the apocalypse’s unforgiving nature, Reverend Hollis urges the remaining survivors to treat the dead with respect, as the cemetery has become a grave site overflowing with bodies. Hiroshi’s father is claimed by the Grim Reaper, and Brad brings the grieving boy home to his makeshift family.

Carol, now struggling with the debilitating symptoms of radiation poisoning, finds solace in her small community’s quiet moments of tenderness. As she watches a candlelit bonfire at the cemetery, Brad brings news of Henry Abhart’s passing, which sends Carol into a downward spiral of despair. When she is found by Reverend Hollis, they share a fleeting moment of human connection, born from desperation rather than romance.

In the face of imminent mortality, Carol and Brad decide to end their own lives, accompanied by Hiroshi. They retreat to the garage, where Carol begins to prepare for their collective demise. However, her resolve falters as she gazes at Scottie’s teddy bear, rekindling a spark of hope in this desolate landscape.

In a stunning reversal, Brad too has second thoughts, and the trio decides to celebrate his birthday with a quiet meal, lit candles, and graham crackers slathered with jam. It is Hiroshi who brings forth the long-lost teddy bear, restoring a glimmer of peace to their troubled hearts.