The Omen poster & wallpaper

Billie Whitelaw, David Warner, Gregory Peck

The young son of an American diplomat and his wife, living in London, turns out to be marked with the sign of Satan, the infamous "666". It soon becomes apparent that he could be the Anti-Christ incar...( read more  read more... )nate and possesses the evil powers to stop anyone who stands in his way.

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79% liked it

48,009 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

31 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Richard Donner

Release Date: June 25, 1976

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DVD Release Date: September 4, 2001

Stats: 4,168 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,168)

  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    Classic horror. On par with the Exorcist in my opinion, it?s scary stuff! Well acted and brilliantly directed, it?s no wonder so many films rip it off!
  • TheMachinist
    May 9, 2009
    TheMachinist
    "The child is dead. Dead. The child is dead"

    Let me start by saying that 'The Omen' is one of the best horror/thrillers I've ever seen. The horror factor is pretty limited but this movie will surely thrill you!

    'The Omen' basically started Richard Donner's career. He had made ...( read more)several productions on the TV markets but in 1976 he hit the jackpot. After this film he went to direct such films as 'Superman', 'The Goonies' and the 'Lethal Weapon' series but he never reached the same level of cinematic success as with this film. I do love the before mentioned films but if you really stop and think about it, 'The Omen' is nearly flawless. Of course, this is only my opinion...

    Richard Donner, with the help of composer Jerry Goldsmith, builds the tension in the key scenes with exceptional expertise. This film doesn't focus on the, now familiar, loud noise effects. Goldsmith's score, that gave him an Academy award, starts slowly, gives time to the string instruments and when the choir starts to sing... Creepy. 'Ave Satani' is a song that pretty much everyone have heard at some point. A true soundtrack masterpiece.

    There are at least two scenes that will remain in the highlights of the history of cinema. The first one is the scene where the nanny jumps of the roof and hangs herself, saying these words:

    "Look at me, Damien! It's all for you."

    And this came without any bigger warnings. Of course the tension was pretty high before that but... Wow. The second scene is where Father Brennan gets impaled at the church. How this was made is also a perfect example on how to create a functional scene.

    The cast is very stellar. Gregory Peck, one of the greatest screen legends, is charismatic as always. But there is one person that have to be mentioned when talking about 'The Omen' and that is Billie Whitelaw as Mrs Baylock, the apostate from Hell. Can you really find a creepier character as this one?

    "Have no fear, little one... I am here to protect thee."

    Of course Harvey Stephens, as the Anti-Christ kid Damien, deserves a honorary mention. This was his only significant role of his career. He didn't start a career in the movies, just did this part and years later did a cameo in the useless 2006 remake.

    'The Omen' is also famous for its "curse". While making the movie, the production was hit by several strange and sometimes tragic events. Almost like someone would not want them to finish the movie.... This was of course good publicity for the movie, and when 'The Omen' arrived to the theatres, it was a success.

    'The Omen' was of course followed by two totally insignificant sequels that, like every other horror sequel, almost destroyed the legacy of the first one. 'The Omen' and 'The Exorcist' still remain, after 30+ years, as the best horror movies ever made.
  • sononothing
    October 20, 2008
    sononothing
    The Omen is one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen. Once you see it the images stick with you like driving by a horrible car accident late at night. It's one of those films that has an impression that doesn't last hours or days- it lasts years.

    Gregory Peck plays Ambassador ...( read more)Robert Thorn, who in a quick moment is talked into substituting an orphaned child for his own stillborn son because his wife won't be able to handle the loss of the child. Everything seems fine until Damien's fifth birthday when things begin to go haywire for the Thorns as the forces of evil work their way into handing this child the sole control of the Thorn families power and wealth.

    Gregory Peck is Gregory Peck. It doesn't get any better than the man who put a face on Atticus Finch. It's amazing that he would take this kind of film, but by tossing this off as a mere horror film is really an insult. Lee Remick plays Thorn's wife, who we sympathize with at the beginning but soon feel a little hostility toward as the film continues. Their relationship on screen is really the only sticking point. There's no real chemistry there and this causes the only flaw in the film.

    Directed by Richard Donner this film isn't your typical Vincent Price/Christopher Lee vampire film. It's a total experience. It isn't filmed on the moors in the middle of the night. Most of the horror is right out there in the middle of the day, even occuring at birthday parties. Satan doesn't care about the time of day it is. At times the film feels almost chaotic when the real horror is happening and that's exactly what Donner wants. Get comfortable and then rattling you to your core.

    But the most important of The Omen is Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack. The ancient sounding choirs and over the top orchestrations are enough to run shivers down your spine. This is probably the best thriller soundtrack ever written and it triples the atmosphere of the film itself. It sounds like you're in hell.

    I first saw this film in the mid 1980's and it left a lasting impression on me. Most films of this genre are good for a few hours of fright after viewing, but The Omen is a film that was built layer by layer and iced with a soundtrack that will drive you insane. That's the kind of horror movie you want.
  • kiriyamakazou
    October 8, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    You'd think after years of homaging, referencing and parodying The Omen would lose much of its impact. On some levels it's true but mostly this is still one damn scary film. The Devil is one terrifying son of a bitch and when coupled with the corruption of innocent children it ju...( read more)st makes it all that much creepier. All the major scenes still shock in that 70's style that horror has given up on. The children's party hanging, the doomed priest are just two of the set pieces built up with eerie speed. We know where they are going, but it's when it gets there that puts the fear into the scenes. Peck adds high class to the distressed father role and the whole film hangs on his performance. Damian is the kind of horror icon that works so subtly. Is he even aware of what he does? A sly smile here, an innocent cycle ride there. The investigatory aspects are also intriguing, all in all adding up to a fine chiller.
  • StaisilD
    October 6, 2008
    StaisilD
    The Omen is a tale of the anti-Christ and his development from birth to childhood. Throughout the movie, from his "switched at birth" beginnings to the tragic demise of all potential adversaries, Damien (Harvey Stephens) progresses along the path preordained in Revelations. The O...( read more)scar winning score of Jerry Goldsmith (The Mummy, Patton), and the marvelous lighting and camera work of cinematographer Gilbert Taylor (Star Wars, Repulsion) help Donner create the desired mood. Every character is believable, and every situation has the elements of real-life necessary to draw the viewer in. Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck), Damien's father, leads us down the path of a proud father facing mounting evidence that something about his son is "just not right". Katherine Thorn (Lee Remick) expertly portrays a woman who knows that something evil is in her midst while everybody assumes she is insane. Then there is Harvey Stephens as Damien. Damien is inherently creepy. There is nothing in particular that he says or does, but just the look in that little boy's eyes communicates evil loud and clear. Donner directs all of this action with a master's handle. Every moment of terror, every death, hits hard with suddenness and a certain ingenuity.
  • melminzstudiocake
    November 9, 2009
    melminzstudiocake
    I'd rather see the recent version. =]
  • stilettokillerz
    November 3, 2009
    stilettokillerz
    One of the creepiest I've ever seen.
  • rojastortu
    November 3, 2009
    rojastortu
    Sometimes the film seems to go a bit out of contorl, but overall a great horror classic with some really remarkable scenes and good performances!
  • malcolmjovidennis
    October 31, 2009
    malcolmjovidennis
    I had heard a lot about this 1976 classic and being a fan of the exorcist I was really looking forward to a great movie, I am happy to say that this movie has some of the best music sequences to build suspense; an Oscar was won in its time for it in fact. Some of the shock horror...( read more) doesnt work but its the suspense that builds up to it that makes this movie a classic. Maybe its just me or the age of this movie but I didnt care too much for the acting and some scenes get boring but despite its fault it stood the test of time and still shocks up to this day.
  • ringoestrella258
    October 28, 2009
    ringoestrella258
    This could be the perfect horror film - it has a great script, some fantastic set-pieces, brilliant acting and direction and a really scary music score.

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Critic Reviews

October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

As long as movies like The Omen are merely scaring us, they're fun in a portentous sort of way. full review

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  • A warden for the zoo that was used in this film was attacked and killed by a tiger the day after the crew left. What film is this?  Answer »
  • Which horror film was released on the 06/06/06?  Answer »
  • what movie use this tagline Good morning. You are one day closer to the end of the world. You have been warned   Answer »
  • In The Omen, where was Damien's 666 birthmark?  Answer »
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