Celebrating 50 Years of THE OMEN (1976): “It's All for You, Damien!”

THE OMEN (1976) d. Richard Donner (USA)
DAMIEN: OMEN II (1978) d. Don Taylor (USA)
THE FINAL CONFLICT (1981) d. Graham Baker (USA)
OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (1991) d. Jorge Montesi/Dominique Othenin-Girard (USA)
THE OMEN (2006) d. John Moore (USA)
THE FIRST OMEN (2024) d. Arkasha Stevenson (USA)

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The success of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist in 1973 sparked any number of cheapie imitations, spawning an entire subgenre of occult and possession-themed features. What sets The Omen apart from these is screenwriter David Seltzer and director Richard Donner’s thoughtful adherence to a rigid universe of logic and plausibility; all of the bizarre tragedies surrounding the Thorns could be justified as pure coincidence and/or freak accidents, without any supernatural leanings. This grounding in reality, further anchored by Peck’s stolid presence, turned what could have been a schlocky exercise in exploitation into a prestige picture that demanded attention and (occasionally grudging) respect.

While stationed in Italy, influential American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) receives the tragic news that the child born to his wife Katherine (Lee Remick) has died during childbirth. However, the kindly Father Spilletto suggests that the grieving father secretly adopt another baby – born the same night – and raise it up as his own.

Five years later, Thorn has been appointed U.S. Ambassador to England, and he and Kate’s son Damien (Harvey Stephens) is healthy and thriving. But following a series of strange, fatal accidents, Robert is compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding Damien’s birth, eventually beginning to wonder if his son may in fact be the offspring of the Devil Himself.

In addition to the spectacular set-pieces orchestrated by effects wiz John Richardson, the film is extremely well-shot by British all-star Gilbert Taylor (who would lens Star Wars the following year) and populated by a fantastic ensemble that includes Patrick Troughton as a tormented priest, Leo McKern as a crusty archaeologist, David Warner as a cynical photojournalist, and Billie Whitelaw as our nefarious nanny Ms. Baylock. Even critics who disliked the film could not argue its merits, with Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting choral-tinged score receiving the most praise (and an Academy Award).

Spawning two theatrical sequels, a made-for-TV sequel, a 2006 remake, a 2016 television series, and a 2024 prequel, the influence of The Omen has been felt for 50 years and belongs on every horror fan’s Anti-Christmas wish list.

Join AC and his devilish panel of guests (Jenn Adams, Chris Hainsworth, Katie McLean Hainsworth, Dwan L. Hearn, Kevin Matthews) as we celebrate a half-century of THE OMEN!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKSFUTcGnWY

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