Omen The DVD [1976]

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1976's The Omen was easily the best of the wave of Devil movies to come along in the wake of The Exorcist's success, relying less on alternating a naturalistic style with shockingly graphic setpieces but instead putting its faith in a beautifully constructed screenplay that mixed a modern interpretation of the Book of Revelations with a changeling story. Like The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby it puts a Satanic spin on parental fears - in this case the cuckoo in the nest and a mother's fear of her own child. Despite the still impressively spectacular deaths, it's less a horror film and more of a supernatural thriller played straight as Gregory Peck's ambassador is gradually led to believe that his troublesome illegally adopted four-year-old son's real dad might just have horns and a tail and be pretty handy with a pitchfork. Although there are still signs that somewhere along the way the film was aimed for an ambiguity that it never really achieves (is the brat really the AntiChrist or just a very naughty boy? Is Peck seeing the truth or going mad?) Its strength is that it plays its premise absolutely straight. It's helped by some fine casting - Lee Remick, Billie Whitelaw, Leo McKern, Patrick Troughton and especially David Warner as the cynical paparazzi whose photos give the film its title and provide its best chills - and is extremely well directed by Richard Donner, who displays a magnificent use of the Scope frame that leaves the film rather diminished in panned-and-scanned TV outings, while Stuart Baird's excellent editing combines with Jerry Goldsmith's sinister score to make the most of the material. It was a tough act to follow, but even so it's a shame just how far its successors fell short.Fox's Blu-ray carries over the extras from the previous two-disc DVD - two directors audio commentaries, deleted scene, featurettes Jerry Goldsmith on The Omen Score, Curse or Coincidence?, 666 - The Omen Revealed, The Screenwriter's Notebook, Wes Craven o The omen and the first part of The Omen Legacy that's spread over the first four films, as well as the trailer and teaser trailer - and offers a fine 2.35:1 widescreen transfer. The European issue only includes a remixed stereo soundtrack option, however: for the original mono soundtrack as well, you need to get the US Blu-ray, though be aware that it's Region A-locked. Sadly both versions have the same terrible cover art.

I sometimes enjoy annoying 'serious filmgoers' by trying to convince them that American Beauty is not as good a film as American Pie. The fact is, I actually believe that. But if you really want to get them, tell them this film is better than The Exorcist. They'll go bananas - but it's true!I agree that The Exorcist came first, but this is a vast improvement. The best thing about The Exorcist was the sound. That says it all really. It succeeded because, at the time, people thought that being posessed by The Devil was fair enough. In today's more secular age, where even the buses tell you there's probably no God (much less The Devil), it's hard not to find The Exorcist incredibly boring, slow-moving and frequently unintentionally funny. The fact that it has been parodied so often doesn't help either.The Omen, on the other hand, like Magic and The Medusa Touch which came out at around the same time, builds wonderfully and rests on the performance of the troubled male lead. Is Gregory Peck going mad? Could his son REALLY be The Devil?Well, of course he is, but from the first hints that this may be so until the penny finally drops (too late), it's a splendidly tense ride - enjoyably so. The sequence where Patrick Troughton's priest meets his end at the hands of a lightning conductor is one of the best in any horror film. Whenever I go to a Fulham match and walk past that church and through Bishop's Park, I get a delightful shiver recalling this film.Talking of which, avoid the remake at all cost! The script is virtually identical but the London locations which work so well here are missing. They shot it more cheaply in the Czech Republic but pretended it was London. They didn't fool anyone - the shop fronts are clearly all Czech!This original is one of the best horror films of all time.

Classic horror on Blu-ray.You'll all know the story by now, and no doubt seen the movie multiple times. An ageless tale of good vs. evil, with some sterling performances from Gregory Peck (the role of Robert Thorn was first offered to William Holden) and Billy Whitelaw.After Kathy Thorn loses her child during childbirth, her husband agrees to secretly swap him with another child who was also born at the 6th hour, on the sixth day of the sixth month. That little boy was to be called Damien. A series of strange events, and mysterious 'accidents' lead to the Thorn's rise to power, and place Damien on his way to the most powerful position on earth. The rest they say, is history.Richard Donner's assured direction, Gilbert Taylor's cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar winning score make for an atmospheric viewing experience, and while some of the effects have aged and the fashions have dated, it's still miles ahead of similar 'devil child' movies and the vastly inferior 2006 remake.With superb picture and audio, and a vast array of special features, the Blu-ray really is the best way to own The Omen in your own home. A movie no horror movie buff should be without.

Classic occult horror. The film has all the elements of a good horror film including religious figures, dark churches, demon nannies, devilish dogs and strange rituals. All used to a powerful effect. Apart from looking a bit dated, the film is one of the best horror films of all time and cannot be faulted in any way at all. The plot follows the story of the Anti-Christ from his birth to becoming a young toddler.