The Omen is probably one of the few films I ever found remotely horrifying, not because of people getting their heads chopped off or throwing themselves off buildings, but because of the thought of the devil himself (or his son) living among us.
Synopsis
The Thorn Corporation and family ... Read review
In 1976The Omenwas a hit among critics and audiences hungry for more afterThe Exorcistwith ... more
its mixture of Gothic horror and mystery and its plot about a young boy suspected of being the personification of the Antichrist. Directed by Richard Donner (bes...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
He was born at 6am on the 6th day of the 6th month. The coming of Armageddon, the site of ... more
the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil, as foretold in the Book of Revelations, will begin with the birth of the son of Satan - in human form...
In 1976The Omenwas a hit among critics and audiences hungry for more afterThe Exorcistwith ... more
its mixture of Gothic horror and mystery and its plot about a young boy suspected of being the personification of the Antichrist. Directed by Richard Donner (bes...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
A staid American ambassador (Gregory Peck) and his wife (Lee Remick) are heartbroken when ... more
their child is stillborn, but their heartbreak is only beginning when they adopt an orphan. As the boy grows, disaster surrounds him, beginning with the suicide of his nanny, and as the bodies pile up, his horrified father begins to believe that the boy is evil incarnate and must be destroyed. The unique climax paved the way for the two popular sequels, DAMIEN: OMEN II and OMEN III: THE FINAL CONFLICT. Composer Jerry Goldsmith won an Academy Award for Best Score.
Experience the ultimate in horror with three frightening films from the legendary Omen ... more
series- together on Blu-ray for the first time ever. This chilling 3-disc set includes The Omen that started it all, plus Damien: Omen II, in which Damien discovers his destiny, and Omen III: The Final Conflict, in which he realizes his full power. Loaded with gripping thrills, nonstop excitement and in-depth special features, this incredible Blu-ray collection take terror - and the high-def experience- to new heights!
U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn (Liev Schreiber) substitutes an orphan for his own stillborn ... more
baby in order ti spare his unknowing wife (Julia Stiles). But after a series of grotesque murders and dire warnings, the Thorns come to the chilling realisation but their child is the son of Satan!
The prophecy is clear, the signs unmistakable: Armageddon is upon us...In this chilling ... more
remake of The Omen - that is even more terrifying than the original - man's darkest fears are manifested as an unspeakable terror is unleashed on the world! U.S diplomat Robert Thorn (Liev Schreiber) substitutes an orphan for his own stillborn baby in order to spare his unknowing wife (Julia Stiles). But after a series of grotesque murders and dire warnings, the Thorns come to the horrifying realisation that their child is the son of Satan.
Advantages: Brilliant Film Disadvantages: Maybe scary for some
The Omen is probably one of the few films I ever found remotely horrifying, not because of people getting their heads chopped off or throwing themselves off buildings, but because of the thought of the devil himself (or his son) living among us.
== Synopsis ==
The Thorn Corporation and family are one of the richest and most influential families in the world Robert Thirn is the newly appointed American Ambassador ... ...all their money can't stop the baby being still born. Mr Thorn (Robert) can't bear to tell his wife that the baby is dead, so he enters into an agreement with one of the priests at the clinic; they will swap the dead baby with one born at exactly the same time in another room, whose mother was on her own and died during childbirth.
What Robert doesn't know is that the priest is actually a disciple of the devil and the boy he has just ... more
The Omen is probably one of the few films I ever found remotely horrifying, not because of people getting their heads chopped off or throwing themselves off buildings, but because of the thought of the devil himself (or his son) living among us.
Synopsis
The Thorn Corporation and family are one of the richest and most influential families in the world Robert Thirn is the newly appointed American Ambassador to The UK. But money can't buy health, and when Mrs Thorn (Katherine) goes into labour with their first child all their money can't stop the baby being still born. Mr Thorn (Robert) can't bear to tell his wife that the baby is dead, so he enters into an agreement with one of the priests at the clinic; they will swap the dead baby with one born at exactly the same time in another room, whose mother was on her own and died during childbirth.
What Robert doesn't know is that the priest is actually a disciple of the devil and the boy he has just handed over was actually born from a jackal. Things seem to be fine at first, except animals seem to have a strange dislike of Damien, and his own mother doesn't feel like she can bond with him. Mr Thorn hires a nanny (Mrs Baylock), who is strange to say the least, and comes complete with a pair of vicious rottweillers. Soon strange and horrible things start to happen to the people around Damien, and Robert can't help but wonder if he made a mistake when he swapped his child, especially when a seemingly mad priest comes to visit ranting about the son of Lucifer and quoting bible passages.
Cast
Gregory Peck as Robert Thorn Lee Remick as Katherine Thorn David Warner as Jennings Billie Whitelaw as Mrs. Baylock Harvey Stephens as Damien Patrick Troughton as Father Brennan Martin Benson as Father Spiletto
My Thoughts
I first watched this film when I was about 10, and at the time I was at a Catholic primary school, and this was in the days when the Catholic schools never even acknowledged any other religions, never mind teach them like they do now, and you would get a playtime detention on Monday mornings if you didn't attend mass the day before. Therefore much of the teaching was about hell and damnation, so watching a film about the devil's child walking amongst us was quite scary. It also set tongues wagging about one particular boy in the class who wasn't the nicest of people! So whilst it wasn't a scary movie per se, it had a psychological darkness to it.
The casting on the whole was brilliant, Harvey Stephens was just perfect as Damien, he had a stare and such evil eyes that meant he didn't need to speak or act to send a chill up your spine. Billy Whitelaw was also brilliant as the nanny Mrs Baylock; Mary Poppins she most definitely wasn't, again she just had that look to her that meant even before she spoke you could tell she was evil. Gregory Peck was superb, his range of emotions and his ability to give just the right amount to each scene is one of the reasons the film is so successful.
The film is over 30 years old now, so the special effects aren't great, but the film didn't really need them, the drama and the suspense were enough to keep everyone enthralled, in fact I think being able to produce such a great film without relying on glitzy effects it testament to the strength of the actors and the script writers. The film relies on the imagination of the viewer rather than have in your face scenes which explain everything down to the nth degree, with is a problem with many movies today; they cater for the lowest common denominator rather than accord the audience a little intelligence.
The film also shows an anguish that many parents face (on a much lesser scale), Robert Thorn was torn between wanting to believe his child was just normal and everything he was being was just lies, just as parents of delinquent children are always hoping that their child is well behaved and it is in fact the children around them that are dragging them down. So Robert Thorn has to do what so many parents do and open their mind to the fact their child isn't who they thought he or she was, of course most parents don't have to go to the extremes that Robert does.
There's not much of a soundtrack to this film, except for the truly excellent Ave Satani, a Gregorian chant containing lyrics hailing the Antichrist, which added so much to the suspense of the film.
Advantages: Effectively chilling in places, great score Disadvantages: Poe faced, with a poor performance from Peck
The Omen did very big business in 1976, backed by an chilling marketing campaign, and boasting a top notch cast with the oomphh of a big studio behind it, The Omen cleaned up at the box office. Genre films were not generally big studio productions back in the 70's, rarely featured A-list casts, or big budgets within which to work. Adapted from the bestselling book by David Seltzer, and brought to the screen by Richard Donner, who would later go on ... ...big budget movies, The Omen is a strange beast. It works quite effectively while your brain is switched off, but the minute you try and comprehend the absurdities of the plot, it falls down about you like a pack of cards, becoming risible in the extreme. The cast are all admirably straight faced as they play out this story that tells of the birth of the son of Satan, and how he eventually finds his way to the side of the President of the United States.
...
dadmancat 05.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Advantages: Tense, clever, no gore for the sake of gore Disadvantages: Someone told me the ending
The story is relatively well known as the film has become a cult classic. It seems to have a strong following and some very dedicated fans. The story is of a boy born on the 6th June at 6am (got it yet?), who turns out to be the anti-Christ, sent here to bring destruction and ultimately the end of the world. He is inadvertently raised by Robert Thorn, a wealthy Politian and his wife. They soon realise that their son is not all that he seems, and ... ...was released in 1976, so the effects and the production are relatively out-dated. Thankfully the story doesn't require large amounts of special effects, so it doesn't really matter that a few scenes are unrealistic. By contrast, other horror movies of around the same era are less frightening now because their monsters are not in the least bit believable (compared to modern CGI techniques). That is the beauty of this film, our monster is just a child, ...
Billieuk 19.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Advantages: Great acting, chilling soundtrack Disadvantages: Overrated
...was born at 6am on the 6th day of the 6th month. The coming of Armageddon, the site of the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil, as foretold in the book of Revelations, will begin with the birth of the son of Satan - in human form.
Unable to tell his wife Katherine (Lee Remick) the tragic news of their stillborn son, American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) accepts a newborn orphan as his son. Details of the child's birth ... ...Thorn slowly becomes aware of the hideous evil behind the child's innocent face and the significance of the number 666, which bring about the most terrifying of revelations."
I bought this movie in the hope that watching it would be a terrifying experience, as recommended by some friends and family. Picture this: I settle myself in the lounge with some suitable movie watching munchies, close all the curtains, turn up the surround sound, and begin ...
laurasteph123 25.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
...soon became a classic, depicting the birth of the Anti-Christ in the form of a small child. The way the story is written comes across as realistic which gives the movie that extra bit of fear factor.
**BRIEF PLOT** When American diplomats, Robert and Katherine Thorn (played by Gregory Peck and Lee Rimmock) have a baby all is not quite what it seems.
As their new son Damien, (played by Harvey Stephens), grows up, strange evil things begin to happen, ... ...(played by Holly Palance) leaving the creepy looking Mrs. Baylock, (played by Billie Whitelaw) as Damien's new nanny and only friend, (apart from a handful of demonic dogs which appear). Then photographer Keith Jennings, (played by David Warner) begins to investigate the unearthly events and soon realise the truth.
As more people in Damien's life begin to fall foul of the grim reaper Keith and Robert dig deeper into the origins of Damien and the ...
blissman70 22.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Advantages: Great story good plot Disadvantages: A little dated
The omen is another classic horror film,and just becauseits old it doesnt mean you shouldnt give it a go.Its about a couple who loose there baby at birth,a priest offers the husband a baby who has lost its mother and says that the wife never need know.The family is well off and bring the child up well but soon horrible things begin happening around the house and the father begins to suspect his own son.
I really enjoyed this film it sets a good ... ...film delves deeper into the childs history and gives a great story,the cast are excellent and for the time this movie was made do a really good job.
Although there arnt really any special effects the actors carry it off and it all combines to a really good ending,if you have enjoyed the exorcist this film is probably for you,it began a chain of films and made damian a worldwide name to be feared ...
daxus100 13.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
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Advantages: New twists on old deaths Disadvantages: Unmemorable casting
remake of Damien: Omen 2 which is currently in casting.
Special Features
Audio commentary by John Moore, Glen Williamson and Dan Zimmerman
Omenisms - The Making of 666 (50 mins)
'Abbey Road' featurette
'Revelations 666' featurette
Extended scenes
Alternative ending
Trailers
I cannot lie, I felt no compulsion to watch the special features, however I did listen to part of the audio commentary which I feel is a fair effort and certainly at times interesting. However there was nothing among any of the features that struck me as being must see viewing.
The Omen is available on DVD from 23rd October 2006 priced £12.99 (play.com price) ...
sghawken 01.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Advantages: Good cast and reasonable acting Disadvantages: Nothing new and pales in comparison to the original Omen
Film only review.
I am not a lover of Horror films as I am such a squeamish baby. However the Omen, released in 1976, was one of that genre of films which I quite enjoyed. It has plenty of suspense and the violence is not that all bloody, brutal stuff that horror films today are made of. With an all star cast the film certainly was a success and it certainly left its mark.
Sitting down to watch The Omen, 2006 version, last night I wondered if this remake would live up to the original. I have to say the answer was no.
For those who have never seen the original I guess it would be a passable film. The cast contains a few well known faces such as Pete Postlethwaite, Mia Farrow, David Thewlis and Michael Gambon, and in general the acting was pretty good. In fact many of the main characters were played by people who looked very ...
grafter123 15.12.2008 (16.12.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Advantages: A really good thriller/horror Disadvantages: Some will write it off before watching because it's a re-make
stately home, with high ceilings and cold floors. The director makes the most of this, often shooting from on high or down below and this helps to add to the eerie atmosphere. A couple of deaths involving things falling from great heights are particularly well done. All this adds up to make the film visually very attractive and I found myself reluctant to take my eyes off the screen.
There are a number of special features with the film. First, an audio commentary by the director, producer and editor of the film. This is interesting if you are a real fan, however, as they go through the entire film while telling us their thoughts on the film and why it was made in the way that it is, which gets a little tedious after a while. Then there is a documentary about the making of the film, the stunts and how 'The Omen curse' affected those involved ...
sunmeilan 14.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Omen (DVD)
Directors Commentary, Documentary 666 The Omen Revealed, 6 Minute Shorts Curse Or Coincidence, Jerry Goldsmith Interview, The Omen Trailer
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround English
DVD Description
A staid American ambassador (Gregory Peck) and his wife (Lee Remick) are heartbroken when their child is stillborn, but their heartbreak is only beginning when they adopt an orphan. As the boy grows, disaster surrounds him, beginning with the suicide of his nanny, and as the bodies pile up, his horrified father begins to believe that the boy is evil incarnate and must be destroyed. The unique climax paved the way for the two popular sequels, DAMIEN: OMEN II and OMEN III: THE FINAL CONFLICT. Composer Jerry Goldsmith won an Academy Award for Best Score.
![The Omen [DVD] [0000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78540840.jpg)
![The Omen [2006]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/103256931.jpg "The Omen [2006]")
