The Omen
April 30th 2007 08:14
After The Exorcist (1973) and Jaws (1975), The Omen (1976) was the third horror blockbuster. It has since gone on to secure a solid position in the horror hall of fame, despite being tarnished by a wholly unnecessary remake (which lifts entire scenes almost shot for shot).
Directed by Richard Donner, whom would go on to direct the ludicrously successful Lethal Weapon series, The Omen is a classy and superbly staged horror-thriller about the coming of the Antichrist; “When the Jews return from Zion and a comet fills the sky. The Holy Roman Empire rises and you and I must die. From the eternal sea he rises creating armies on either shore. Turning man against his brother, ‘til man exists no more.”
The casting is top notch with solid performances, despite Peck’s habit of slipping into overact mode on occasion (the scene where Thorn refuses to stab Damien to death with the Holy knives is all a bit over-cooked; “It’s insane! I won’t have anything to do with murdering a little boy! He’s not responsible, I won’t do it!”). Jennings (David Warner) plays a photographer who captures the fates of several peripheral characters (Damien’s nanny, a doomed priest, and Jennings himself) on film before they’ve happened. Jennings becomes embroiled with Thorne in getting to the truth of the matter. But he's a marked man ...
WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILER!
Here's Jennings famous demise:
Jerry Goldsmith’s score is excellent utilizing the choir to full frightening effect. It has since become one of the most famous horror scores ever, alongside John Williams’ Jaws theme.
It is this “realism”, the death set pieces and the pervading atmosphere of doom which provides The Omen with much of its cinematic appeal. It is certainly on of the best of the movies which depict Satan (or to be precise the Antichrist) and his disciples. The movie was originally called The Antichrist, then The Birthmark, and finally The Omen (on recent DVD releases it is known as Omen I).
here's the original theatrical trailer:
* images on this page are courtesy of www.horror.about.com
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Except how many people shaved their kids heads after seeing the movie, just to check they didnt have the number of teh beast?
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Good film
Everyone knew it was BS but it was good BS.
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
excellent review..loved all of the movies listed...
I wonder how many fathers secretly snuck into their son's sleeping chambers with a pair of scizzors after watching that one? lolol I used to love Rottweilers until I saw that damned film, now they make me leary as hell lolol
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
yeah, Harvey Stephens was very good. He barely has any lines to say, yet when he speaks, he has this beautiful soft English accent, which plays so well against the grain. The boy they cast in the remake was lame, both in looks and performance.