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Review by MsreZa Synovcc
Movie makers in the past gave cs monsters and science
fiction oid'AiesRotcmxry's Baby and 27ie Exorcist
which spurred the imagination sad toyed with the human
fear of the unknown. Now they have warned cs with The
Omen.
If we were asked to believe in the obvious technical
boldness of The Exorcist, then the more sophisticated and
realistic production of The Omen hits closer to home. The
Omen can make cs wonder if we are as safe as we might
think. '
We are not called upon to witness rotating heads,'
gutteral animal cries of a child possessed, flying beds and
pea-soup vomit. The Omen, however, does have adequate
gore a beheading by means of a plate glass window, a
face burned beyond recognition, a priest impaled on a
lightening rod, numerous bloody bites, scratches and
violent bruises. The effect of The Omen is more chilling.
The result is a better movie.
The film, by relative technical standards, is well made.
The screenplay is smooth, the tension is consistent, the
performances are convincing. The dramatic and foreboding
musical score by Jerry Goldsmith enhances the ominous
theme.
Cagtnrataqf screeagiay
The screenplay, written by David Seltzer, does not
totally depart from the plots of previous "devfl" movies. It
is nonetheless captivating. Seltzer apparently did some
research and, with the consultation of religious advisors,
presented an almost plausible interpretation of the birth of
the anti christ as foretold in the Book of Revelations. It is,
after all, only a movie.
Lee Remick and Gregory Peck are cast as Katherine and
Robert Thorn, an aging couple who have long awaited the
birth of a child. As the movie opens, an ominous voice in
the background informs Peck that their newborn ctH is
dead.
The well-meaning Peck, not wishing to break the news
to his wife, follows a priest's suggestion that he "adopt" an
orphaned infant born at exactly the same moment as his
child. As the movie progresses, it becomes apparent that ;
forces outside the realm of Peck's world have been working
against bin.
The movie is aptly titled. Threcghont, the viewer is
given provaeative hints that something is amiss. The chain
of visual forewarnings begins with the newborn infant
having an incredible amount of hair on his head. We later
discover that the hair has been covering a "CCS" birthmark
that is a part of all the devil's children. His birthdate fell on
the supposed birthdate of the anti-christ the sixth hour of
the sixth day of the sixth month. The Thorn's innocently
called their child Damien a nice name, perhaps, but
highly suggestive of demons.
- Things
Until cherubic Damien's fifth birthday, the couple is
blissfully unaware of the child's heritage. But things begin
to go awry at Damien's birthday party and life from then
on is not easy for the Thorns. .
Damien's nanny hangs herself and is mysteriously
replaced by Firs. Baybck (BHIie Whitelaw), a soft-spoken
governess who turns out to be a devil's apostate
vehemently guiding her little charge. ,
Peck, an ambassador to Great Britain during the tirade
of strange events, is warned by a strung-out priest that his
son is the anti-christ. Satunchly refusing to believe tins
(the film contrasts the ancient and unknown with the
modern and sophisticated). Peck does not heed the
warning.
Peck continues to stubbornly deny what he has been
told. But further warnings including these cf Jennings, a
photographer played by David Warner who accompany
Peck in his search for the truth and meets a macabre
death, and his wile's "accidental" M from balcony
begin to make Peck realize that something nrast be done.
He is gradually being torn apart emotionally, frightening
in itself because one can empathize with his anguish.
PnTTTy Cfft la'"-J'!
Seeking the advice of an exorcist at an excavation site.
Peck discovers he must impale Damien on an alter to
destroy his demonic calling. It is a diUkult dsty for Peck to
consider, and he must be reminded over r&S over that
Damien is not a human child. The devil, ana the director,
once again personified Satan in the form of a child to play
with one's emotions.
Peck, however, is convinced beyond a doubt when he
discovers the "OCT birthmark. After fighting a duel to the
death of Mrs. Baylock, Peck gets Damien to the alter
where he must be killed, only to be blown to smithereens
by the police.
The movie's flaw is in the ending. It was carried too far.
When the gun fires and whitens the screen we don't know
if Peck managed to stab Damien and rid the world of its
potential end. It would have been more terrifying if the
film had ended here.
Instead, the film pushes the limits of belisvability to
their breaking point.
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