The Omen

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The Omen

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The Omen

Billie Whitelaw, David Warner, Gregory Peck, Harvey Stephens, Lee Remick

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.

Id: 9990677

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Recent Reviews

The Omen Recent Reviews
  • stopitgoaway
    November 28, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    Robert Thorn the American ambassador to Great Britain watches his wife's pregnancy when a priest tells him that his newborn has died, but he convinces him to substitute the baby (the wife not knowing) with another child that lost its mother in labour at the same time. Watching th...( read more)eir young child growing up, he starts show unnerving signs, which the parents slowly start picking up on and also bizarre tragedies start occurring. This leads Robert on a whirlwind investigation that all points to his son being the Anti-Christ.

    Right off the heals of 'The Exorcist' successful stint with moviegoers comes another one of those endless 70s religious themed horror flicks involving Satanism. 'The Omen', I'd definitely say is one of the better horror films in the shadow of "The Exorcist', but I'll even go to say its an vast improvement over it's influencer. That might be a surprise for some, but I found this film superior as it was more entertaining, fascinating and truly creepy in its context and shocks. Everything about it has a knack for falling into place. From the impending doom that's achieved by its coldly layered atmosphere to a premise that teases the viewer on how it's all going to play out. I won't deny that it seems silly enough when you pay close attention to it all, but with such conviction in the performances and that off confident direction, these factors makes sure that it doesn't slip overboard into cheesy daftness. Another stroke of brilliance would be Jerry Goldsmith's memorably, nerve-wrecking score with those explosive chants scattered throughout.

    On a grand scale the film was efficiently catered with well established cinematography and polished set-pieces that had penetrating might, which director Richard Donner handled with precise skill. Even when there wasn't much happening he knew how to keep things compellingly tight with good pacing and impressible imagery. Though, when it came to the essential thrills, he caps off some remotely tense (dogs' attack) and macabre moments (infamous decapitation) that display bite and flair. The climax is great and the ending is a fitting imprint too. The plot is filled with shocking revelations, interesting characters and it emits a glorious amount of excitement and dread from it mysterious outset.

    The performances are that of top quality by a stellar cast. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick are convincingly excellent as Mr and Mrs Thorn. David Warner turns in a marvellous performance as the photographer Keith Jennings. Then Billie Whitelaw is genuinely creepy as Damien's nanny Mrs. Baylock. Patrick Troughton is superb as the withering Father Brennan. But my applause goes to Harvey Stephens' who's the epitome of evil? well; he definitely looked the part and had a memorizing awe as Damien. Although, Peck deserves more credit really, as he brought such devotion to his character that we honestly feel the pain and confusion that hits home.

    One of the true benchmarks of horror, along the same lines of 'The Exorcist', but for me it beats that film all ends up. Expect a devilishly good time!
  • 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.
  • CorpseFlower9
    November 28, 2009
    CorpseFlower9
    Not as good as the 2006 omen movie
  • teeja85
    November 26, 2009
    teeja85
    Ovo mi se vise svidilo kao film i rezija nego prica i zastrasivanje :) Remake nema smisla gledati.
  • jam233
    November 24, 2009
    jam233
    Certainly better produced than most horror films, and a big star cast to boot. Still, I found it to be a bit far-fetched and hard to swallow. But, the professionalism involved make it worth watching.
  • malacaynomuerto
    November 14, 2009
    malacaynomuerto
    Ya recuerdo por que es que no me gustan los rottweiler.
    Que buena música!!! realmente esta peli es un clásico del genero, la decapitación del fotógrafo es una pasada!
  • 21rclemente
    November 13, 2009
    21rclemente
    Crazy satanic twerp. crazy little jerk
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