Testament of Youth

In 1914, Vera Brittain strives to break free from her family's traditional expectations. She passes the entrance exam for Somerville College at Oxford University, overcoming her father's disapproval and laying the groundwork for her educational journey.

Before leaving for Oxford, Vera enters a romantic relationship with Roland Leighton. Their connection is fueled by a mutual love for writing and poetry, even as she understands that Victor Richardson has feelings for her.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand signals the start of World War I, transforming lives everywhere. Faced with the looming conflict, Vera persuades her father to allow her brother Edward to enlist instead of attending university.

Roland and Victor enlist in the army alongside Edward, with Roland being the first to face the harsh realities of war at the Western Front. Vera watches as the casualty lists grow longer and horrors of the battlefield unfold.

Amidst the escalating conflict, Vera makes a courageous decision to leave her studies and join the Voluntary Aid Detachment. She dedicates herself to nursing in an English hospital, offering care to the wounded.

Despite the perils of war, Roland proposes to Vera during a brief leave, promising to marry her when returned. This moment temporarily uplifts Vera amid the turmoil but carries the shadow of uncertainty.

As Christmas approaches, Vera eagerly anticipates Roland's visit, only to receive heartbreaking news from his mother about his death. The army claims he died 'a noble and painless death,' but Vera demands the harsher truth.

George Catlin, a fellow soldier, reveals the grim details of Roland's death, explaining his suffering from a gunshot wound. This revelation deepens Vera's grief and complicates her feelings about the war.

Victor, now blind from the war, visits Vera at the hospital. In a moment of compassion, Vera offers her hand in marriage, believing he will need support, but Victor declines, succumbing to his injuries soon after.

In 1917, longing to be closer to her brother Edward, Vera requests a transfer to France. Ironically, her first assignment involves caring for wounded German soldiers, challenging her existing notions of enemy and war.

While caring for the wounded, Vera encounters Edward among the injured. Through her efforts, she plays a crucial role in saving his life, highlighting their bond and shared experiences of hardship.

After Edward's recovery and deployment to the safer Italian Front, Vera faces heartbreak when she discovers a telegram announcing his death. Unraveling family grief, she uncovers the emotional impact of war.

In 1918, Vera grapples with the overwhelming loss of her loved ones, unable to partake in the celebrations of the Armistice. The memories of Roland and Edward haunt her, compounding her sense of despair.

During a public meeting on punitive measures against Germany, Vera bravely shares her experience of comforting a dying German soldier. Through this, she articulates her commitment to peace and rejects the cycle of violence.

Emerging from her trials, Vera vows to honor the memories of those lost in the war. She becomes a pacifist, dedicating herself to ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten, cementing her convictions of peace.