Review of The Omen (1976) by André D — 26 Mar 2016

Richard Donner's literate, gripping and handsomely mounted supernatural horror thriller, it became a surprise mega-box office hit at the time of its release back in 1976 and went on to become a classic horror film.

It concerns Robert Thorn a wealthy American Ambassador to Great Britain, played by the late great Gregory Peck who delivers a marvelous performance of great dignity, Thorn has arranges for an orphan infant boy to be substituted for his own stillborn son without telling his wife Cathy about it, she is played by the beautiful and magnetic Lee Remick who gives a superb performance as his tragic wife.

All seems well for some five years but during their son Damien's outdoor birthday party, his nanny commits suicide by hanging herself in front of Damien and all of the shocked guests, she stands on the edge of the roof of the Thorn's mansion and shouts out to him, Look at me, Damien, its all for you! then she jumps to her death breaking her neck instantly and shattering a window of the mansion with her dead body.

A new replacement nanny has been sent to the Thorns, a Mrs. Baylock who is in reality a protector sent by Satan to look after Damien, she is played chillingly by Billie Whitelaw in a genuinely scary performance.

Robert Thorn gets some ominous warnings from a priest from Rome who informs him that he witness the birth of Damien and that he his not what he seems to be. A photographer terrifically played by the veteran British character actor David Warner becomes involved in this building dark mystery, inexplicable deaths begin occurring all around them, and finally a mysterious archaeologist named Bugenhagen, played nicely by Leo McKern confirms what Thorn already suspects that his beloved son is the spawn of Satan, the Antichrist.

Astute direction by Donner, with the late great Jerry Goldsmith's haunting Oscar winning original score, featuring the unforgettable title song "Ava Satani," which is a chilling 10th century black mass.

A suspenseful and compelling screenplay by David Seltzer, with striking cinematography by Gilbert Taylor. A frighting, well-crafted horror gem. Highly Recommended.