Testament is a 1983 drama film based on a three page long story titled "The Last Testament" by Carol Amen (1934-1987), directed by Lynne Littman and written by John Sacret Young. The film tells the story of how one small suburban town near the San Francisco Bay Area slowly falls apart after a nuclear war destroys outside civilization.
Originally produced for the PBS series American Playhouse, it was given a theatrical release instead by Paramount Pictures (although PBS did subsequently air it a year later). The cast includes Jane Alexander, William Devane, Leon Ames, Lukas Haas, Roxana Zal and, in small roles shortly before a rise in their stardom, Kevin Costner and Rebecca De Mornay. Alexander was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
The Wetherly family—husband Tom (William Devane), wife Carol (Jane Alexander), and children Brad (Ross Harris), Mary Liz (Roxana Zal), and Scottie (Lukas Haas) -- live in the fictional suburb of Hamelin, California, within a 90-minute drive of San Francisco, where Tom works.
Walking through the garden
Through the garden of temptation
Tempestuous in youth
Seek the testament of truth
An angst that bears no sobs or self-pitied cries
He cherishes his one daily job with pride
The job to stay alive
Quest for reasons in empty hearts
Death the adventure when life's the bore
But in the face of defeat a lion roars
Statutes stand like statues
Laws stagnant in value
For the rulers of the ruled
The fools and the fooled
But should your carcass rot in a gutter
While your ideals go to heaven
When rebellion's the cause
Like a spartacus it's yours today
And tomorrow this testament will fall
Dying to be written
A new testament to be born
The lion roars, the lion roars
The lion roars as never before