the fresh films reviews

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The Omen (1976)

Director:
Richard Donner
COUNTRY
USA
Genre
Horror/Thriller
NorWEGIAN titlE
The Omen
RUNNING TIME
107 minutter
Producer:
Harvey Bernard
Screenplay:
David Seltzer


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Robert Thorn Gregory Peck ½
Katherine Thorn Lee Remick
Jennings David Warner
Mrs. Baylock Billie Whitelaw
Bugenhagen Leo McKern
Damien Harvey Stevens ½

 

Review

When The Omen was released in 1976, it was going to be difficult for it not to be compared to the three year senior The Exorcist. Both films involve satanic possession, and both feature a child in the logical lead. Seen in light of William Friedkin's film, The Omen might seem stilted, uncreative and archaic - both thematically and when it comes to parts of the narrative like dialogue and characterizations. Lee Remick certainly is no Ellen Burstyn, and Gregory Peck, for all his masculinity and presence, has a simplicity to him that at times makes his struggle seem a bit too physical. Still, the suspense and craftsmanship that inhabits The Omen gives it a forceful and dynamic basis from which it manages to pull off some very clever moves. Richard Donner is an audience's director, and shows some examples of morbid playfulness as he puppeteers the young, and downright magnificent Harvey Stevens around the sets. Stevens' performance is this film is a real treat, combining childish innocence and joy with spite, lurking evil and that little vicious smile.

Re-reviewed: © 9.6.2006 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
Original review: © 17.2.
1997 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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