The Omen (1976)

"Look at me, Damien!

It's all for you."

Mysterious deaths surround the American Ambassador as he begins to suspect that his own son may be the anti-christ.

Happy New Year!

A relaxing break, starting a new job, and some issues renewing my Cineworld card means that, despite it being the second Tuesday of the year, this is my first blog of 2016! However, that hasn't stopped me watching! 

The original 'The Omen' is a film that has always been in my peripherals but, for one reason or another, has constantly eluded me. I'm positive that I saw it when I was young and I definitely remember the wimpy 2006 remake when it came out so I figured it was about time to revisit the horror classic. 

What followed was all I expected and more. 

'The Omen' takes us back to a golden age of horror. Blood and gore wasn't relied on, jump scares were minimal and slow burn horror was at its peak. We are softly introduced to our story with a stillborn child being replaced by another newborn baby, whose mother coincidentally died in childbirth. As the plot thickens, we discover that there is more to this young child than meets the eye...

It reminds me somewhat of a lovechild of 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Exorcist'. It manages to combine the slow burn of 'Rosemary's Baby' with the dramatic and shocking horror of 'The Exorcist'. It is theatrical, over the top, fantastic filmmaking and stays with you long after you've seen it.

What I loved about 'The Omen' was its attention to detail and its raw storytelling. Despite the slow opening to the film, it has a no holds barred approach that can shock and awe you. There is a constant contrast in tone and pace that always keeps you guessing while hanging you right on the edge of your seat. This unpredictability adds a sense of overarching dread that you just can't shake. It hangs over the film like a disease and makes for a really uncomfortably tense experience... In a good way.

The fact that Gregory Peck is at the helm of this horror beast lends a certain credibility to the film and the story itself. It is a hugely theatrical and almost pantomime idea and plot but it is acted and directed in a believable and realistic way to really bring home the horror. Peck brings a certain charm and charisma to the character that could be lost in another actor. This commitment to bringing a human and believable edge to what could have been a farcical film in other hands makes it all the more effective. 

Harvey Stephens, who plays the evil child Damien, is perfect in the role. He's got just enough personality to counteract the absolutely evil scenarios that he creates. Not only that but he's a spooky little dude, if he was my son I'd assume the worst too.

The extremely dramatic and haunting score by Jerry Goldsmith becomes a character in itself as it personifies the evil in the film through music. 

The whole film has dated but not in a terrible way. Sure, the fashion is very retro and the style of the shooting sometimes feels out of date but, at it's core, it elevates itself from the ageing process through the ideas and themes it explores. We examine evil itself, religion, nature vs nurture and a whole host of other timeless and important concepts.

Something that I don't often talk about in my reviews is the editing. Being an editor myself, I believe that if its good editing then you shouldn't even notice it. However, there are films where it warrants a mention and 'The Omen' is one of those films. From the pace to the style, it seamlessly blends contrasting ideas and scenes to a whirlwind finale. The quick cutting flare after a slow and steady scene throws us off balance and really makes for some exciting cutting. Excuse my geekiness.

Overall, 'The Omen' is a classic for a reason and I regret not having seen it for all these years. If you're in the mood for some good old fashioned horror then don't bother with the remake and go straight to where it all began... With the number of the beast.

Now, which should I see first... 'The Hateful Eight' or 'The Revenant'.