This movie scared the heck out of me when I saw it in the theaters in 1976, and it's still creepy today. It was almost 30 years later when I finally saw it for the second time and I thoroughly enjoyed it again, although it wasn't terrifying to me anymore. The DVD version is excellent because it presents the movie in the 2.35 widescreen mode, which is essential to the viewing of this film if you are a fan of cinematography. A VHS formatted-to-TV picture would lose too much of the great camera-work done in this film. I was amazed how beautifully filmed this movie is, so if you love this film and don't have the DVD, please consider getting it.
The story was a bit slower than I remembered it back in '76 but still provides enough action and plenty of chills. This time around, I found the nanny (Billie Whitelaw as "Mrs. Baylock") to be more scary than the devil/kid! I didn't even remember her from 30 years ago but she got my attention on the DVD. It was a very effective job of acting by that woman.
In the meantime, I always enjoy looking at Lee Remick's gorgeous face with her magnetic eyes and Gregory Peck is usually rock-solid in roles he plays. This is no exception.
Although I question some of the supposed quotes from the Book Of Revelation from the Bible (there is no "s" in Revelation, the screenwriters showing their biblical ignorance.),the movie is still a good witness to people who don't believe in Satan. They might after viewing this movie.
This is one of the classics of the '70s and often underrated. The sequels to this were simply not memorable and not worth your time. I don't know about the re- make that just came out, but it would be tough to top this film. I think I'll stick with this one and I won't wait another 30 years to see it again. Maybe tonight!!
The Omen
1976
Action / Fantasy / Horror / Mystery / Thriller
The Omen
1976
Action / Fantasy / Horror / Mystery / Thriller
Plot summary
Robert and Katherine Thorn seem to have it all. They are happily married and he is the US Ambassador to Great Britain, but they want nothing more than to have children. When Katharine has a stillborn child, Robert is approached by a priest at the hospital who suggests that they take a healthy newborn whose mother has just died in childbirth. Without telling his wife he agrees. After relocating to London, strange events - and the ominous warnings of a priest - lead him to believe that the child he took from that Italian hospital is evil incarnate.
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720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
One Of Scariest Movies Of The Modern Era
Pretty silly but still watchable and high on the "cool factor"
The film is about a couple (Gregory Peck and Lee Remick) whose child dies at childbirth and is replaced by the son of Satan (wow, that's a bummer). As the little lad grows, weird things happen and a couple weird people come into his life that would indicate he isn't quite the sweet little angel he appears to be. But, naturally, his parents can't believe their child is THAT bad--after all, how many parents have been INCORRECTLY told that their children are sons of Satan? I'm a school teacher, so trust me that it does happen and happens quite a lot!! Well, because the child is Beelzebub, Jr., when Peck finally is forced to acknowledge that the kid is evil, it's not surprising that all hell breaks loose--leading to a thrilling finale.
This film is featured in the wonderful book "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time" by Harry Medved. And while I generally agree with his picks, there were a few films listed that seemed more like "guilty pleasures" or "cult films" instead of truly bad films. Sure, this is NOT one of the better films of the 1970s, as in places it all seemed awfully silly and over-done, but STILL it is pretty watchable because on a superficial level it is pretty cool. Now a thinking and overly critical viewer will notice all the silly religious mumbo-jumbo, so I advise you to turn off your brain when you watch the film and just accept it for what it is--a relatively high-budget and silly horror film that won't change your life. Sure, at times it all seems very histrionic but do we always have to watch intelligent or thought-provoking films? So, the next time you want some silly eye candy, try this film--it's not all that bad and will most certainly keep your attention.
Still atmospheric and genuinely frightening
The Omen... it's a great film, and one of the best of the horror genre. It still remains atmospheric and genuinely frightening after all this time, and no matter how many times I've watched it the impact is still there. One or two parts may have dated slightly, other than that, and knowing me it's me being picky, there's little to complain about. the Omen is especially held together by a truly unsettling atmosphere and some imaginative death scenes. Jerry Goldsmith's score is also fantastic, and the film looks very nice. Richard Donner's direction is excellent, the pacing is just about right and the cast is distinguished, not only from Gregory Peck but also from David Warner, Leo McKern and especially Lee Remick as well as a genuinely terrifying Billie Whitelaw. In conclusion, just great and highly recommended. 9/10 Bethany Cox