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 when various people start dying, Thorn gets very suspicious. The original 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, and we really believe he's evil.

The filming is really interesting because there is about 10 minutes of Damien growing up, with chipper music and all the family happy and smiling. It's a bit unexpected if you know the story outline, because you are expecting fire and brimstone, gloom and doom. I think the point they are trying to make is that the child has some humanity, or at least there is a scene of him enjoying his fifth birthday. Just as Christ himself had weaknesses and was still just a man, the concept that the son of Satan would also be in essence human, is an interesting thought. Having said that there is never any question that Damien is evil, just as generally there is never any question that Jesus was a pretty decent guy. Even Islam and Judaism accept Jesus' existence as a very good man (and I think acknowledge him as a prophet, correct me if I'm wrong) but deny he was the son of god. If Damien is truly the opposite of Jesus, then this (granted almost non-existent spark of humanity) is to be expected - especially while he's still just a child. As Damien gets older it becomes clear that strange things are happening and that he is no ordinary child, however human he seems. After the first murder we see Damien being held by Thorn his surrogate father, and smiling in an evil fashion at the dog that seems to have caused the first death. It's not particularly subtle in that respect, but I suppose it's not easy to subtly suggest a child is the embodiment of all evil.

Inevitably there is some gore and violence, but nothing compared to modern standards. Initially the film was rated 18, but has since been downgraded to 15. The reason for this is that the film is more a thriller than a horror movie, but if we concentrate on the themes and watch it with an intellectual eye, it's more frightening than any gore you could force on an audience. Unfortunately in the eyes of the censors, violence and sex scenes are more damaging to young people than academic horror! I'm not sure I'd agree, but there we go. The tension is very effectively built, we know there is a mystery about Damien's mother, and by the climatic scenes at the end we are desperate to know what's being kept from us. The revelation of just where Damien has come from is just as horrible to us as it is to Thorn (I'm exaggerating because I already knew who Damien's mother was before I watched it, some moron told me - but from the reaction of my brother I'm guessing if you don't already know then it's pretty shocking).