What's the saddest movie of all time?

Question

I can't choose between Beaches and The Lovely Bones.

But The Lovely Bones is so depressingly sad that I almost have to say that one is the saddest movie of all time because it happens in real life where young children never get justice for being kidnapped, raped and murdered.

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

Well, do you really want to know the answer to this?

There are some famous sad ending movies such as "On the Beach". "Threads" and "The Day After" were also a bit downbeat.

However, to me, the answer is clear.

"Testament", a 1983 film. I saw "Testament" Thanksgiving Weekend 1983. I went with my buddy. When everyone left the theater, no one said anything; we were all quiet. My buddy later said to me "Why did you make me see that?"

All 4 movies that I just mentioned have to do with the aftermath of nuclear war. "On the Beach" is a famous movie and it is implied that everyone dies.

"The Day After" was a 1983 ABC television movie about the beginning and immediate aftermath of a nuclear war on people in Kansas.

"Threads" is a similar BBC film, but is darker about the aftermath. While not a documentary, it is presented with some facts interspersed with the story of nuclear war impacting England and is spread out over years of aftermath.

But, "Testament", which is more like "On the Beach", is the most human of these films. It is about the residents of the fictional town of Hamelin in Northern California. But the central character is a woman, Carol Wetherly. She is a wife and mother in her early 40s. She is married to Tom. They have 3 kids: Brad (eldest), Mary Elizabeth ("Mary Liz"), and Scottie (youngest).

One day, while she and the kids are at home while Tom is on a business trip in San Francisco, an emergency TV announcement breaks programming to state a nuclear war is starting. The TV station then goes to "snow" and Carol has the kids get away from the window and get down as the outside becomes very bright.

The town is far enough away to not experience any horror from the bombs, but radiation is coming... Over the course of the film, we see how the town tries to cope and how civilization is beginning to break-down. The local ham radio operator, an old man named Henry, soon can't reach anyone. He dies. A lot of people die. We in the audience come to connect which these characters... and they almost all die during the course of the film. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but some of the scenes in this movie are extremely haunting.

It's important to understand that this movie comes from the female perspective and that's why it is so brilliant.

The story is from the perspective of a wife and mother, Carol, and is based on a 1981 short story by a woman (''The Last Testament,'' by Carol Amen) and was directed by a woman, Lynne Littman.

Carol is played by Jane Alexander who was nominated for Best Actress at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes for this role. While Carol is the central character of the film, her son Brad is important too. For instance, after Henry dies, Brad takes over with the ham radio. The 13-year-old daughter Mary Liz, played by Roxana Zal, is also important. For instance, Mary Liz has a pivotal mother-daughter conversation. Mary Liz knows what's going to happen; she knows she will never grow up and make love or become a mother...

And how Carol deals with it all is... *sigh*

Look, this is the sort of material that reaches into your soul and makes you reflect on your humanity and what it is to be human. Watching movies like this helps turn you into a functional human being with empathy and understanding what is important in life - especially since we watch it all gradually being taken away in this film. This is the antithesis of stupid ubiquitous comic book movies.

Here is the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZbUMjmatnyU

However, perhaps late great film critic Roger Ebert's review can do a better job than I can.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/testament-1983

This is how is review begins... and ends:

========

Testament4 stars
Action 90 minutes ‧ PG ‧ 1983

Roger Ebert
November 4, 1983

“Testament” may be the first movie in a long time that will make you cry. It made me cry. And seeing it again for the second time, knowing everything that would happen, anticipating each scene before it came, I was affected just as deeply.

...

In the midst of this devastation, Jane Alexander, as the mother, tries to preserve love and decency. She stands by her children, watches as they grow in response to the challenge, cherishes them as she sees all her dreams for them disappear. It is a great performance, the heart of the film. In fact, Alexander’s performance makes the film possible to watch without unbearable heartbreak, because she is brave and decent in the face of the horror. And the last scene, in which she expresses such small optimism as is still possible, is one of the most powerful movie scenes I’ve ever seen.

========

It's a very haunting film. Ebert echoes that in his review.

I am warning you if you dare to see it: Your life will change and this will be the saddest movie that you have ever seen. That's likely what happend to many of us who left the theater speechless that day. (On the "Siskel and Ebert" episode covering this film, Ebert said he saw the film twice and he said both times he saw the movie, audience left silent and speechless as well.)

SteveSmith1985 · Accepted Answer

Requiem for a Dream.

I promise. It's the saddest movie. Of all time. It's watching the destruction of 4 lives: A guy around 20ish; his girlfriend; his best friend; and his mother. It'll fuck up your day for sure. (The preview is terrible. Truly terrible. It gives zero sense of what the movie is about. It will give you a false idea of the movie.)

7Phoenix7 · Accepted Answer

Oh man I totally forgot about that movie, 'the lovely bones'. That one really hurt my heart and the worst part is that it happens way too often.

I agree with @KittygosMeoWW too on 'the boy in the striped pajamas.'

Movies like that i can only watch once.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Bridge to terabithia

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

Both "Beaches" and "The Lovely Bones" are heart-wrenching films that leave a lasting impact. "The Lovely Bones" indeed touches on real and harrowing issues, making it incredibly poignant. Another film often mentioned for its emotional weight is "Grave of the Fireflies." Its portrayal of war's impact on children is beyond devastating. Films like these evoke deep emotions and stay with us long after the credits roll. 🎬💔

smahala1991 · Answer

Walk to remember or Green Mile

4ngelic · Answer

for me  silenced (korean movie based on a real story of rampant sexual abuse of deaf children in a boarding school, and a male teacher who tries to bring them justice. because of corruption they dont get justice) la vita e bella (italian movie about a jewish dad & his young son being sent to a concentration camp) hope (korean movie, also based on a real story. it's a story about a little girl who is very violently raped by a man, and her parents trying to help her heal and get her justice) wings of desire (i think it's an east german movie? not sure. from the 80s. it's about angels that help suicidal & depressed people)

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

Translator

once watched that ww2 movie "Come and See", its about a young guy who desperatly watch to contribute and join the war. Though his comrades reject and mock him. Then when the germans invade his whole village and family gets executed while he was away trying to fit in with his comrades. Later he got taken captive by german troops and forced to watch as hundeds of civilians got locked in a barn to be then burned down and shot at. He was again mocked and left by the troops next to the burnt barn.

WhiteSteve · Answer

Gotta be Brian’s Song😭😭😭

AviatorTom · Answer

Brian's Song , a 1972 made for TV movie about football player Brian Piccolo and his battle with cancer, is a tearjerker.

MuddyMole · Answer

"Wendy and Lucy" - fantastic movie, but super sad. "Never Let Me Go" (not to be confused witht the much more recent "Never Let Go"), which also stars Michelle Williams, is another good one.

Kaneki05 · Answer

Pearl it's 7min monologue hit me more than anything other films did. Also I only really watch horror films, another is Mandy it's a weird film but it for sure makes you feel just as upset and angry as Cage for what happens to Mandy.

I find both these films very personal. Also Woman in Black 2012 that film I got to watch at 11 such a great time, also the book ending is slightly different but still tragically ends perhaps even worse depending on view.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Until now, I'd say: ''Titanic''

Reasons:

- it is utterly sad how an unrelated ship accident had been combined with a meaningless ''love'' story.

- it's even more utterly sad that for movie commercial reasons the death of too many people had been exploited to make some extra bucks.

Abbycado · Answer

“Up”. Makes @circushowcowboy cry like a fountain just even looking at the cover.

Miristheiss · Answer

Steel Magnolias Seven Pounds Untamed Heart The Green Mile Those are some of the saddest I've seen that jump out at me. I'm sure there are many I haven't seen and some I'm forgetting.

alice55 · Answer

Tombeau des lucioles, I saw it when I was like 4 years old it traumatized me especially the scene where his little sister die and the one where he die and nobody care

ohsheeT · Answer

I'm going to have to say Dumb and Dumber. Because I laughed so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes

Lliam · Answer

Matewan. Based on a historical event but downplayed the reality so as not to make the government look too bad. The Grapes of Wrath.

sage2021 · Answer

A walk to Remember. I watched that movie at least 8 times and it was always just as sad as the first time I saw it.

Catailian94 · Answer

Boys Don’t Cry made me cry. I don't know if you know it.

exitseven · Answer

Old Yeller was really sad. The Champ with Jon Voight was another one. However, I cried at the end of Avengers Endgame.

NoDecision · Answer

I always thought "Goodbye Mr. Chips" was sad.

serious · Answer

Logan and Life. Although there is a big twist in Life's movie ending.

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

there’s so many, but some of my favorites are the boy in the blue striped pajamas, A better life, hope floats, and A dog’s purpose.

Jay-_- · Answer

The whale... Has to definitely be at least one of them.

Sal_Monella · Answer

Mystic River must be close. I will never watch it again.

nicfire171 · Answer

I just watched “Only the Brave” last night. It was very sad

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

For me its either The passions of Christ, Ghost or The note book

Anonymous · Answer

I agree with you on The Lovely Bones, and I would also add Edward Scissorhands.

Anonymous · Answer

Disney's Up I can 100% guarantee you once you watch it there will be no sadder movie you've watched in existence than this

Valdemort · Answer

All Dogs Go To Heaven <\3

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Grave of the Fireflies or Where The Wind Blows

DJB72 · Answer

Schindler's List. No contest

bowenw · Answer

Sophie's Choice

WhiteThought · Answer

Marley & Me always makes me cry

Coden7 · Answer

Boy in striped pajamas, or Old Yeller

Cormac995 · Answer

Old Yeller.

Professor-college · Answer

Grave of the fireflies by gibli studios

DrPepper12 · Answer

Beaches. Ugh

Jennz6 · Answer

Old yeller

Pterodon · Answer

Brian’s song

PeterLegg91 · Answer

Green mile

CubaPirate · Answer

Schindlers List

eagle1951 · Answer

Love Story

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