Testament of Youth

128 minutes

English

THE TESTAMENT OF YOUTH is a searing story of love, war and remembrance, based on the First World War memoir by Vera Brittain which became the classic testimony of that war from a woman’s point of view. Vera, irrepressible, intelligent and free-minded, overcomes the prejudices of her family and hometown to win a scholarship to Oxford. With everything to live for, she falls in love with her brother’s close friend Roland Leighton as they go to University to pursue their literary dreams. But the First World War is looming and as the boys leave for the front Vera realizes she cannot sit idly by as her peers fight for their country. A powerful and passionate journey from youthful hopes and dreams to the edge of despair and back again, it’s a film about young love, the futility of war and how to make sense of the darkest times.

starring...

Alicia Vikander

Vera Brittain

Kit Harrington

Roland Leighton

Emily Watson

Mrs. Brittain

Miranda Richardson

Miss Lorimer

Dominic West

Mr. Brittain

Hayley Atwell

Hope

Colin Morgan

Victor Richardson

Director

James Kent

Screenplay

Juliette Towhidi

Cinematography

Rob Hardy

Music

Max Richter

Editing

Lucia Zucchetti

Production Design

Jon Henson

Art Direction

Philip A. Brown, Daryn McLaughlan

Set Decoration

Robert Wischhusen-Hayes

Costume Design

Consolata Boyle

93% on the CINEMETER

MIL

93% - May 17, 2015

This was a beautiful film. Very slow paced but with powerful messages about the horrors of war and empowerment of woman.
Milwaukee Member

Outstanding film! Wonderful acting.
Milwaukee Member

Actress who played Vera was EXCELLENT!!
Milwaukee Member

Cinematography was great.
Milwaukee Member

Best movie I've seen in a long time. Evocative, beautifully filmed, wonderfully acted, strong message about the pointlessness of war.
Milwaukee Member

Excellent. Powerful. We want more like this!
Milwaukee Member

STL

94% - May 17, 2015

All components of this masterpiece came together -- an unforgettable experience.
St. Louis Member

Stunning. powerful. Casting is perfect. Alicia Vikander is excellent as Vera Brittain. Each scene is almost painterly. Scenes of tranquil British countryside juxtaposed with stench of war. . . .More powerful than 'Johnny Got His Gun' as an anti-war film.
St. Louis Member

Excellent acting, cinematography, costume and set design . . . Wow! Captivating, honestly felt, passionate, human.
St. Louis Member

What wonderful, gentle acting. Beautifully but unsparingly filmed. Very powerful.
St. Louis Member

The decision of the director to focus on tight scenes, even in wartime, reflected the intimacy of this story. This was an intimate story of loss and growth which would have been ruined by big cinema.
St. Louis Member

The intimate, tragic story again of the atrocities and devastation of war. Great contrast between romance and beauty and the stark realities of war.
St. Louis Member

ATL

92% - May 17, 2015

Absolutely heartbreaking. EVERY war is hell. My 90 year old father is now realizing he's lived with post traumatic stress. It has left indelible memories. It creates a veil so it's virtually impossible to "know" him as I thought I did.
Atlanta Member

Beautiful film/cinematography (lots of high praise for the cinematography, even from the film's detractors). Reminded me of Terence Malick with the nature scenes.
Atlanta Member

Gorgeous film. Anti-war message so subtly yet stirringly evolved. The touching, restrained love story at the micro level moved gradually yet purposefully to the macro level in the final scenes. Oscar nominee for sure.
Atlanta Member

Wonderful-great cinematography. All the politicians need to see it. Will read the book and encourage everyone to see this movie. Even the slower pacing was perfectly done.
Atlanta Member

What can you say? A hauntingly, beautiful movie about the horrors of war.
Atlanta Member

Fabulous. Powerful. Best movie of the season.
Atlanta Member

89% - May 10, 2015

One of the best WWI films I have ever seen. Wondrous performance by Alicia Viskander.
San Francisco Member

Beautiful anti-war film through a woman's memoir. Every scene was a visual delight. This was the best, most beautiful, touching movie I have seen in many years.
San Francisco Member

A seemingly predictable war film transformed by its lead actress and poetic storytelling, both narrative and visual. Agonizingly beautiful.
San Francisco Member

92% - May 3, 2015

Beautifully filmed - so powerful and yet so painful to watch.
Greater New Haven Member

Best of the season. [Note: many people felt the same way.] 100 years later and we still go to war.
Greater New Haven Member

Visually stunning. Framing of scenes were like seeing an art exhibit of beautiful paintings! [Note: several found the film's cinematography painterly.]
Greater New Haven Member

[a mixed comment] - Like the war, and war itself - long and godforsaken. [Note: quite a few found the film too long.] Thank you for inviting Katie Trumpener. [Note: many compliments for Katie, on the cards and in person.]
Greater New Haven Member

95% - May 3, 2015

Exquisite cinematography. It was absolutely gorgeous and I have never seen better.
Washington, DC Member

This film was flawless in every respect. It should be shown in every film school for its superb technical achievements, and in every high school for its content. And if only every lawmaker and politician would see this BEFORE committing to war.
Washington, DC Member

Brilliant juxtaposition of the horrors of war and the loneliness of England.
Washington, DC Member

Really enjoyed the balance between the trials of war and Vera's personal struggles. Especially enjoyed the portrayal of brother-sister bond . . . definitely relatable.
Washington, DC Member

The acting was superb - power and engaging. The director's choice of scenery at home and at war were powerful and enhancing to the screenplay, and the costumes were beautiful and reflects the period .
Washington, DC Member

BOS

May 3, 2015

Sony Pictures Classics