The Omen (1976)

	Directed by: Richard Donner	COUNTRY USA GENRE Horror/Thriller NORWEGIAN TITLE The Omen RUNNING TIME 111 minutes
	Produced by: Harvey Bernard
	Written by: 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 Thorn	Harvey Spencer 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 such as dialogue and characterisation. 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 inhabit The Omen give 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 he demonstrates some examples of morbid playfulness as he puppeteers the young – and downright magnificent – Harvey Stevens around the sets. Stevens' performance in this film is a real treat, combining childish innocence and joy with spite, lurking evil and that vicious little smile.