Re:Visiting – THE OMEN (1976 – 50th Anniversary)

“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666.”

(Book of Revelation Chapter 13 Verse 18)

The Omen released 50 years ago on June 6th 1976, landing during a period which was rich in both psychological and religious Horror films. It was a vintage era of movies which saw a young new breed of filmmakers produce a succession of now classic films in a totally pre-cgi era. One such Director was Richard Donner (Superman / The Goonies), who with The Omen would bring to life David Seltzer’s chilling screenplay, before going on to have one hell of a career in mainstream Hollywood.

At 6am on the 6th day of the 6th month somewhere in Rome, American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck – Cape Fear) makes a wild decision he will live to regret. Unbeknown to his wife, their infant son has died after taking his first breath; and in his grief Robert agrees to replace the child with another baby provided to him by the hospital’s priest. Believing his wife Katherine (Lee Remick) need never know, he is told the child’s mother died in the same moment their baby did; and that God has has now provided him with new a son. That son is Damien (Harvey Stephens) … and their lives would be forever changed.

The family move to London when Robert is posted as the American ambassador to Great Britain, and as Damien grows into childhood; a series of bizarre and deadly sequences begin to occur around him. At his fifth Birthday party – in one of Horror’s most iconic scenes – his nanny has a surprise for the Thorn family when she hangs herself from the first floor of their country mansion; crashing through a window as their guests – including many children – watch on in sheer terror.

Press photographer Keith Jennings (David Warner – Tron) captures the moment and begins to take a keen interest in the Thorn family; while Robert faces an unexpected visit from Father Brennan, a priest who has travelled from Rome to warn him that he is raising the son of the Devil. The mysterious Mrs Baylock (Billie Whitelaw – The Krays) arrives at their home, announcing she is the new governess sent to help look after Damien following the suicide of his former nanny. And from here, the dark and deeply disturbing events surrounding the family begin to increase.

The film hurtles towards its climax as Robert immerses himself in trying to understand the mystery surrounding Damien. The performance from Gregory Peck is absolutely superb as he plays the troubled father; torn between the love of his son and the realisation that what he is being told by Father Brennan may be true. And as the death toll rises and everything spirals out of control around him, Robert is faced with the ultimate dilemma and must decide just how far he is prepared to go in order to make things right.

The fine performance from Peck comes of course as no surprise. A fantastic casting of a vintage Hollywood actor who starred in films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound (1945), Roman Holiday (1953), and To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) to name but three. The supporting cast around him is also superb, combining to create a timeless Psychological-Horror movie with a series of unforgettable death sequences; all accompanied by an academy award winning score from Jerry Goldsmith.

The cultural impact of The Omen has absolutely stood the test of time half a century after its release. It would initially spawn two sequels which continued the story of the Antichrist as he moves through life. Omen II: Damien (1978) focuses on a thirteen-year-old Damien (Jonathan Scott-Taylor) as he comes of age and begins to learn about his own true nature. While Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) would star an excellent Sam Neill (Possession) as the adult Damien, who by now has completely embraced his birthright. But the overall success of the trilogy – and in particular the impact of the classic first film – would also see the story continue to be revisited from time to time.

Omen IV: The Awakening (1991) was a made for TV movie which would tell the tale of Damien’s successor in the form of Delia (Asia Vieira), a troubled young adopted girl. While during the craze of the early 2000s Horror remakes, The Omen (2006) directed by John Moore (Max Payne) would star Liev Schreiber (Scream) as Robert Thorn, and Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby) in a memorable turn as Mrs Baylock. Most recently in 2024, The First Omen would tell the story prior to Damien’s birth; starring Nell Tiger Free (Game Of Thrones) in the lead role … as well as Ralph Ineson (The VVitch) as a young Father Brennan. KZ

Words by Mark T. Bates

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‘The Curious Dark (Vol.1)’ – By Mark T. Bates