If you’re not familiar with Testament, it’s definitely worth checking out. Originally produced to be a series on PBS, it was instead given a theatrical release on November 4, 1983. As a typical 80’s kids, nuclear threat was a real fear in our lives and was only further cemented into our brains with movies like The Day After. Unlike that series, this film is focused almost solely on one family in the fictional town of Hamelin, California. I am so glad Criterion Collection gave this film the proper treatment recently, highly recommended.
The film was shot entirely in Sierra Madre, California. This town has been used in countless productions including Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Better Off Dead, Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween III, Psycho III, Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2, Return of the Living Dead Part II, The Fog, Oppenheimer, and more.
The film opens on a father and son biking through a cemetery. This is the Pioneer Cemetery at 535 East Sierra Madre Boulevard. This location is probably most famous for it’s appearance in the original Halloween (1978).
They continue their ride going south on East Carter Avenue, turning on to East Mira Monte Avenue in Sierra Madre.
They then turn from West Mira Monte Avenue onto Auburn Avenue.
They magically move back a block in front of Mr. Abhart’s house at 5 West Carter Avenue in Sierra Madre.
Here he bikes by Mrs. Meyer at 490 East Highland Avenue in Sierra Madre.
Next, we’re back in town square as he bikes towards the gas station at 54 North Baldwin Avenue. This building was seen in Return of the Living Dead Part II.
The family house is located at 375 East Grand View Avenue in Sierra Madre.
This is looking across the street from the house on to East Grand View Avenue.
The church interiors were shot at 25 East Laurel Avenue in Sierra Madre. This church is best known for it’s appearance in The Fog.
Back to the gas station…
The grocery store is located at 14 East Sierra Madre Boulevard.
Here the boys are beneath the belltower on Kersting Court in Sierra Madre. This street was used heavily in Halloween II and Halloween III.
Here he is biking up Auburn Avenue in the same spot as the beginning of the film.
Back to the main house, this is on the North Canon Avenue side of the house.
A better shot of the Abhart house at 5 West Carter Avenue.
Back to the cemetery. This was also seen in Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2.
Here he is seen biking on East Mira Monte Avenue.
Interestingly, they chose a different church for the exterior. This one is at 25 East Laurel Avenue.
Then back to the interior of the other church…
Can you believe this is the same alter cloth from four decades ago???
Biking through the cemetery again…
Back to the gas station…
Had the pleasure to recently meet Ross Harris, who is probably best known for his cockpit visit in Airplane!
