50 years since its release, Richard Donner’s The Omen needs to be celebrated as a horror masterpiece. This classic has stood among other films, like The Exorcist and Jaws, that redefined the genre during the 1970s. Since then, it’s often regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made.
Originally released on June 25, 1969, The Omen centers on Robert Thorn, an American diplomat whose son dies the moment he’s born. He’s given the option to secretly adopt another child to prevent his wife from experiencing heartbreak. Years later, he begins to realize that his adopted son, Damien, played by Harvey Stephens, may not be as innocent as he seems.
The Omen has become one of the most well-known “evil child” horror stories over the years. Damien is a creepy kid character that harbors some frightening secrets as the world twists around him. However, The Omen benefits best as a religious horror as Robert, played by Gregory Peck, travels to Rome to find out what’s wrong with the child he adopted.
After 50 years, The Omen is still fondly remembered today as a timeless horror classic. From the performances to the horrors lying within, The Omen absolutely deserves to be championed as one of the genre’s finest masterpieces.
Gregory Peck Shines As Damien’s “Father”
Best known for his role as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Gregory Peck turns in another incredible performance as Robert Thorn in The Omen. His abject fear of his “son” as he slowly begins to see him hone demonic powers carries the film’s story. He perfectly leads the audience through a mystery that leads to a horrific revelation.
The best part of Peck’s performance is undeniably in the final act. He becomes believably desperate as he loses his wife to Damien and decides to perform the unthinkable. Peck has continued to be heralded as an acclaimed actor, and The Omen features him at his absolute best.
The Omen’s Theme Has Become Iconic
The foreboding tones of The Omen‘s theme, also known as “Ave Satani,” have become one of the most recognized tunes to come from the horror genre. The chorus chanting in the background perfectly puts the audience on edge as it warns of a great evil on the horizon, mirroring the film’s premise of a child born to be the Antichrist.
The theme also fits the religious themes of The Omen as well. The chants sound like something one would hear from a hymn being performed at a church, except more twisted and demented. It’s a brilliant way to prepare the audience for horror of biblical proportions. Jerry Goldsmith is the mastermind behind this incredible score, and his work has cemented itself in horror history for generations to come.
The Kills In The Omen Are Absolutely Brutal
What’s remarkable about The Omen is how much it was able to get away with in 1976. This era of cinema was a more experimental period as filmmakers were able to push boundaries that had been established for decades by the Hayes Code. Horror filmmakers in particular felt free to finally explore the genre’s potential further, and Richard Donner showed just how far he was willing to go to make The Omen one of the scariest movies ever made.
From impalings to beheadings, this film showcases the raw power lying behind the supposedly innocent eyes of Damien Thorn. His Satanic abilities cause various tragic “accidents” to happen throughout the film, with their deaths on full display. These kills were gruesome for the 1970s, making The Omen a pioneer in graphic horror effects that would become more common in the future.
The Hanging Scene Has Become One Of The Most Recognized Moments In Horror History
Out of any scene in The Omen, the infamous hanging scene stands out as the ultimate piece of nightmare fuel. During Damien’s fifth birthday party, Damien’s nanny climbs to his home’s rooftop. She’s shown calling out to Damien, trying to get his attention. Then, when everyone’s looking, she proclaims, “It’s all for you,” before plummeting and hanging herself.
What makes this scene so memorable is just how shocking it is. There’s very little set-up for this moment to arrive. Once Damien’s nanny is on the roof, it provides a brief and confused pause from the audience. The hanging itself is absolutely jarring, perfectly capturing the absolute shock of a sight like this. This scene has haunted fans for years, and it will continue to be one of the most iconic shots in the horror genre.
The Omen’s Ending Is One Of The Darkest Finales Imaginable
The final act of The Omen goes to darker places than most horror films of the time dared to go. After Robert learns that his son is the Antichrist, he steals a series of sacred daggers from Rome and takes Damien to a church. He holds him down and prepares to kill him. Suddenly, the police arrive and shoot him dead.
The movie ends on a hopeless note as Damien stands with the US president and his wife at his parents’ funeral, cementing a rise to political power that’s foretold throughout the film.
The Omen isn’t afraid to go dark with its ending by telling the audience that nothing can stop evil once it’s birthed. Not even Damien’s adoptive father can do the unthinkable and murder his young son without his powers intervening, highlighting just how dark this film can be. While there have been sequels that have carried on this story, including an incredibly underrated third film starring Sam Neill as Damien, none have come close to reaching the masterpiece status like the original film has.
Source: YouTube
- Release Date
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June 25, 1976
- Runtime
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111 minutes
- Director
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Richard Donner
- Writers
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David Seltzer
- Producers
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Charles Orme, Harvey Bernhard
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Gregory Peck
Robert Thorn
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Lee Remick
Katherine Thorn