People..please, no more telling me I misunderstood the Football Factory, if one more person even thi...
People..please, no more telling me I misunderstood the Football Factory, if one more person even thinks about saying it..I'm 32, I've got GCSE's in pottery..I understand sh*t British films just fine <flounces off in flurry of petticoats>
Member since:27.07.2000
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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 to direct Superman, and the Lethal Weapon series amongst other 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.
Gregory Peck leads the cast as American diplomat Robert Thorne, who unable to break the news to his wife (Lee Remick) that their expected baby has been stillborn, agrees hurriedly to substitute the child for an orphaned youngster. Initially all is well with the new family,
but as the child grows older, strange events begin to occur, and even more worryingly, death seems to follow closely behind the little boy, the boy they have named Damien.
Child actor Harvey Stephens brings a real air of creepiness to the part of Damien, and there is an effective chill that permeates this film from the moment that all is discovered to be not quite right in the Thorne Household. A nanny for Damien commits a very public act of self sacrifice for her master, and it opens the door for Mrs Baylock to come and take charge of Damien. Billie Whitelaw is superb as Mrs Baylock, and in general the supporting cast is very effective. Patrick Troughton is very good as a priest living in mortal fear of Damien's coming. David Warner is also good support as a photographer who stumbles upon a remarkable set of coincidences. By chance he has photographed each of the child's victims shortly before their death. In each photograph a mark appears like the Sword of Damocles over those who have crossed Damien, or threaten his continuuing existence.
The Omen, and its sequels are probably best known for the inventive ways in which each victim is despatched, indeed it would become the only high spot in the increasingly tiresome trilogy. The Omen boasts some fine moments as charactes meet gruesome ends. It also has a small collection of genuinely creepy moments, as the truth slowly unfolds concerning the childs origins and intentions. Donner, who previously had worked in television, handles the whole thing very admirably, and there is certainly never a dull moment. The sense of dread and doom is ever present, and he is at ease with motion picture making, yet the whole thing just doesn't quite come together.
Alot of the blame must land squarely on the shoulders of Gregory Peck, who was never my favourite actor, and who brings very little weight to his role. Displaying a narrow range of emotions ranging from concerned to really concerned, you never quite feel for him as a man who watches his family and life be destroyed by this demonic little cuckold. The other major problem I have with the Omen, is the one I have previously mentioned, and that both the characters and ourselves have to believe so totally in the origins of Damien for the movie to work. The series would later collapse as it ploughed on with the conviction that Damien WAS te son of Satan, as he integrates himself into society while all the time actually being this tremendous force for evil...who still wears slippers, watches breakfast TV, eats cheese sandwiches etc. It's such a fine line between earth shatteringly frightening and completely hilarious and devoid of threat.
Damien III - The Final Conflict falls flat on it's arse in trying to portray a grown up Anti-christ. After all, if he's so powerful and evil, why's he taken so long to decide to destroy the Earth, or perhaps he just didn't feel like it that decade. On the whole The Omen juggles this problem well, but the thought does niggle away as the cast all perform so earnestly. Perhaps a little doubt as to his actual family tree might have helped, but to be told in such certain terms, that he is the son of satan, well it's setting yourself up for a fall.
This is not to say that the Omen isn't enjoyable and occasionally scary stuff. It is good entertainment, made very professionally. It looks good, the script is occasionally quite hokey, the cast are good especially the smaller roles, and it's greatest asset is without doubt Jerry Goldmsiths score. It presents evil perfectly, and sends a chill down my spine on each and every listen. Written around ominuos latin incantations, booming and majestic, if ever Satan was to arrive, he would no doubt spare Jerry Goldsmith for writing such a wonderful symphony of terror.
The DVD is first rate, with a commentary from the very listenable Richard Donner, who talks informatively and enthusiasticaly about the film. The documentary is chocked full of interest and background information of the production. There is a 6 minute short that recalls all the disasters that befell the production, which later lead to stories of the movie being cursed. Jerry Goldmsith talks about he scored the movie and came to be involved in the project, and naturally there is a trailer on here too.
It's a nice clean transfer considering it's age, and is presented as should be in it's original aspect ratio. Sound is in a Dolby Pro-Logic mix which is better than nothing, and is perfectly respectable.
The disc is nicely if sparsely packaged, and it comes recommended. Enjoyable, with some outstanding moments, yet not quite as good as all those box office receipts suggested.
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I like the Omen films, yes even Omen 3, although the first one is the best ad the child actors in them do incredibly well. Sharron xx
bespinleia 12.02.2003 11:44
This film scared the pants off me as a child, I think you are right - it is the music more than anything. Great review once again, I'm gonna have to put u in my CoT. K
ickkate 07.02.2003 12:49
You know, I've never seen any of these - it sounds like I should see them. Well, maybe just the first one? Another first-rate review - cheers!
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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...
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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...
![The Omen [DVD] [0000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78540840.jpg "The Omen [DVD] [0000]")
Feb 5th, 2003
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