I’m constantly being bombarded by people telling him “you haven’t seen ____? You gotta check it out.” Or hearing critics rave “this movie is a classic, a must see.” So I decided that from now on every time he actually watches one of these flicks, I’ll write my take on whether the film will live up to the hype or fall short.
So, what’s the deal with The Omen?
The Omen is a classic horror movie starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, and David Warner. It holds some iconic scenes, such as Remick falling over her upstairs banister, as well as a score that is recognizable for reasons outside of the film. The film has been parodied numerous times in both serious and comedic fashions.
The story follows Peck as Robert Thorn, who begins the film by making the hard decision to adopt a child born on the same night that he and his wife lose theirs during its birth. They name the child Damien. A few years later, Thorn becomes an American ambassador and moves to London. Things start getting strange around his household and Damien is in the center of the happenings.
Its easy to see why the film is considered a classic of the horror genre. It’s also a classic film, period. The story is interesting and draped in religious overtones. The sets are amazing and the architecture of the buildings in the film fit the style and add to the enjoyment of watching it.
Gregory Peck is superb in the movie. His acting is layered with subtleties that add a great depth to his character and improve the realism of The Omen. I also appreciate the fact that they didn’t try to push a performance out Harvey Spencer Stevens, the child who played Damien. If they attempted to make him to act like he was a sinister little kid, it would have been hard to keep the audience into the film. Instead, Damien was a quiet kid, fueling you to question just what his angle is and whether or not he is really what everyone says that he is.
The Omen has nearly everything you want in a horror movie. The acting is great, the story is one of the best you could ask for, and the music is eerie and haunting. I’d recommend this film to anyone who likes horror films, even if its only a little bit.
This post is part of the Countdown to Halloween blogathon, a month-long blogging marathon dedicated to honoring the Halloween season. For more information and a full list of participating sites, please visit www.countdowntohalloween.com.