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The Omen (1976) DVD Review
The Omen (1976) DVD Credits:
The Omen (1976) Directed by:
Richard Donner
The Omen (1976) Written by:
David Seltzer
The Omen (1976) Cast:
Gregory Peck, Harvey Stephens, Lee Remick, David Warner, Billie Whitelaw
The Omen (1976) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
The Omen (1976) DVD Release Date:
19th June 2006
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The Omen (1976) Synopsis:

After The Exorcist sparked a lengthy trend of supernatural thrillers, this 1976 horror film scored a hit with critics and audiences for mixing gothic horror and mystery into its plot about a young boy suspected of being the personification of the anti-Christ. (No doubt it's a favorite of shock-rocker Marilyn Manson.) Directed by Richard Donner (best known for his Superman and Lethal Weapon films), The Omen gained a lot of credibility from the casting of Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as a distinguished American couple living in England, whose young son Damien bears "the mark of the beast." Mysterious deaths and unexplained incidents draw the attention of a photographer (David Warner), whose investigation leads to the young boy--and also to the photographer's shocking decapitation (in a scene that has since been inducted into the horror hall of fame). At a time when graphic gore had yet to dominate the horror genre, this film used its violence discreetly and to great effect, and the mood of dread and potential death is masterfully maintained. It's all a bit hokey, with a lot of biblical portent and sensational fury, but few would deny it's highly entertaining. Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar-winning score works wonders to enhance the movie's creepy atmosphere.

The Omen (1976) DVD Review:

In 1976 there were all sorts of stories about the curse which was on the film crew of The Omen. Many disasters occurred during the shoot, including three close encounters with lightening, two of which involved airplanes. This gossip must have done a great deal to help promote the film. When the remake was released it only had the date to count on. Either way, this is a classic horror film which is still staggeringly suspenseful even as it ages and begins to look more outdated. It belongs in a category with Rosemary’s Baby, Psycho and The Wicker Man. It is a classic horror movie that should have been left alone.

Gregory Peck plays Robert Thorne, an American diplomat whose wife goes into labor in Rome on the 6th day of the 6th month, at the 6th hour. When tell Thorne that his son is stillborn, he takes another child whose mother died in labor. Thorne doesn’t tell his wife Katherine (Lee Remick), but five years later she is suspicious of the child. His new nanny is protective of him and strange things start to happen when he is around. Thorne begins to investigate with the help pf a photographer who happened to catch some of the accidents on film. They begin to believe that Thorne’s adopted son Damien may actually be the antichrist.

This film may be a few years old now, but it is still an R-rated film. Its right up there with The Exorcist as far as terror is concerned. There are many gruesome and difficult scenes, such as the scene with the dogs attacking in the cemetery and the decapitation scene, which is even creepier with the knowledge that the girlfriend of a crew member died this way during the shoot.

This two-disc collector’s edition has a number of great new features, with a lot of outside help. Many involved in praising the film weren’t even involved in making it. Director Wes Craven has a short featurette on his appreciation of the film. There is a commentary track with director Richard Donner and Brian Helgeland (screenwriter of Man on Fire). There is also a commentary track with Richard Donner and the editor Stuart Baird. The Collector’s Edition also has an introduction by Donner.

There are two documentaries on the bonus features disc; 666: The Omen Revealed and The Omen Legacy. There is also a featurette about the Omen Curse, and a one where Jerry Goldsmith discusses the score from the film. These are the best of the features, but there are also a few other odds and ends including a few good deleted scenes.

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The Omen (1976) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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