Customer Reviews
Why You Little Devil - By: Mr. W. Searle, 22 Apr 2008 
A very enjoyable film with excellant set pieces & exciting deaths. I particuly enjoy the crescendo of exhilrating gregorian music before 'the offing' of preists, nanny's & journalists. This film has devil dogs, baboons attacking & a malevolent anti-christ tot on a tri-cycle. Whilst The Exorcist deserves 5 stars this deserves 666.
A GOOD HORROR - By: stuart, 03 Jan 2008 
Robert Thorn the American ambassador to Great Britain watches his wife's pregnancy when a priest tells him that his newborn has died, but he convinces him to substitute the baby (the wife not knowing) with another child that lost its motherin labour at the same time. Watching their young child growing up, he starts show unnerving signs, which the parents slowly start picking up on & also bizarre tragedies start occurring. This leads Robert on a whirlwind investigation that all points to his son being the Anti-Christ.
Right off the heals of 'The Exorcist' successful stint with moviegoers comes another one of those endless 70s religious themed horror flicks involving Satanism. 'The Omen', I'd definitely say is one of the better horror filmsin the shadow of "The Exorcist', but I'll even go to say its an vast improvement over it's influencer. That might be a surprise for some, but I found this film superior as it was more entertaining, fascinating & truly creepyin its context & shocks. Everything about it has a knack for falling into place. From the impending doom that's achieved by its coldly layered atmosphere to a premise that teases the viewer on how it's all going to play out. I won't deny that it seems silly enough when you pay close attention to it all, but with such convictionin the performances & that off confident direction, these factors makes sure that it doesn't slip overboard into cheesy daftness. Another stroke of brilliance would be Jerry Goldsmith's memorably, nerve-wrecking score with those explosive chants scattered throughout.
On a grand scale the film was efficiently catered with well established cinematography & polished set-pieces that had penetrating might, which director Richard Donner handled with precise skill. Even when there wasn't much happening he knew how to keep things compellingly tight with good pacing & impressible imagery. Though, when it came to the essential thrills, he caps off some remotely tense (dogs' attack) & macabre moments (infamous decapitation) that display bite & flair. The climax is great & the ending is a fitting imprint too. The plot is filled with shocking revelations, interesting characters & it emits a glorious amount of excitement & dread from it mysterious outset.
The performances are that of top quality by a stellar cast. Gregory Peck & Lee Remick are convincingly excellent as Mr & Mrs Thorn. David Warner turnsin a marvellous performance as the photographer Keith Jennings. Then Billie Whitelaw is genuinely creepy as Damien's nanny Mrs. Baylock. Patrick Troughton is superb as the withering Father Brennan. But my applause goes to Harvey Stephens' who's the epitome of evil... well; he definitely looked the part & had a memorizing awe as Damien. Although, Peck deserves more credit really, as he brought such devotion to his character that we honestly feel the pain & confusion that hits home.
One of the true benchmarks of horror, along the same lines of 'The Exorcist', but for me it beats that film all ends up. Expect a devilishly good time!
Review - By: shaun wrench, 11 Nov 2007 I saw this movie when i was 7 ,and it has always been one of my favourite Horror movies.
The premise of The Omen comes from the end times prophecies of Christianity. The story, setin Fulham, England; tells of the childhood of Damien Thorn, who was switched at birth with the stillborn child of a wealthy American diplomat. Damien's family is unaware that he is actually the offspring of Satan & destined to become the Antichrist. His father, Robert Thorn (named Jeremy Thornin the original book), eventually begins to realize this with the help of a photographer named Keith Jennings, after numerous people connected to Damien begin dyingin tragic accidents.
If you dont own this film, buy it now.
A good horror film - By: S J Buck, 22 Jun 2007 The Omen was the first horror film I ever saw at the cinema. At the time it made a huge impression on me. I've probably seenin on TV since then, but certainly it didn't have the same impact on me then. So when I came to watch the DVD I wasn't really expecting that much from the film.
Well I was wrong. On DVDin widescreen on a decent size widescreen TV this is still a terrific film. Some of the set pieces are brilliantly done & the cast are all good. Gregory Peck & David Warner steal the acting honours, although Patrick Troughton & Billie Whitelaw who both have small key roles are very good as well.
Of course this film probably wouldn't have happened if The Exorcist hadn't been made. It isn't as good a film as the The Exorcist, butin many ways its much more entertaining. Make sure you see the 1976 original version, before watching the remake from last year. I haven't seen the new version, but apparently its pretty much a shot for shot remake & as such is rather pointless, & therefore it will spoil the original for you if you see it first.
