I met Harvey Spencer (Damien) at a convention a few months ago. Super cool guy. We talked about that scene and he said he wasn't even there for it. They shot his parts separately and edited him into it after
I just found out Gregory Peck' s son had committed suicide shortly before the movie was made and he kept his commitment, hoping work would help him get through his grief I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to film the final scene.
That’s an incredibly sobering and sad development-l didn’t know that he had a son and that the son had committed suicide before filming began.That really brings a truly tragic and heartbreaking dimension to the film and its production.
The thing I love most about the omen is that it’s more about the horror of deciding to murder a child rather than the fright of a potential antichrist. It’s a slow descent into possible madness
You're _exactly_ right. That's specifically what Richard Donner was going for . . . the idea that it's not supernatural at all, that we're seeing a series of strange events, all freak _but plausible_ occurrences, that drive Thorne to insanity.
One scene that always sent a chill up my spine was when Mrs. Baylock came to kill Katherine, the look of utter terror on Katherine's face felt so real.
I always thought this film was so so so underrated..... in that even the few all horror all the time you tube channels or Jeremy even never lists this as one of the top to better horror films, so was nice to see you Chris talk about your like, love and respect of the movie.
"El Camino could be considered ahead of its time, an absolute epitome of its time, or maybe even timeless. It’s oddly beautiful, coolly impractical, and intriguingly desirable." - Review from Truck Trend Magazine
I would say they are equally scary but in different ways. The Exorcist is scary in a very viseral way, and The Omen is in a psychological way. i had read both books before I saw the films, so I had a different view. The Omen really got under my skin!!!
@@delfin7461 also for me, the concept is scarier in The Omen. What if your child was the antichrist? What would or could you do? But if your kid is possessed, then an exorcism normally sorts them out. The dilemma is more serious in The Omen, and it doesn't change. Even today, that idea is scary.
@@rogersjgregory oh yeah, that's why it got under my skin so much. And as good as the film is, the book is REALLY scary. The idea of having to kill your child is beyond awful.
This movie deeply affected me when I watched it. There are so many moments from the film that I clearly remember more than 40 years later. It was also the first time I'd scene David Warner in anything and I really liked him. His character's death really bothered me.
I remember watching this movie when I was 8 or 9 - at my first sleepover. Needless to say, no one slept and I didn't do another sleepover for YEARS. The Steam death was the one that got me the most. 😱
@@whoknew2273 Darn good question. I just tried to Google it. Mind you, we are going 40 years into the archive of memories, but I would swear there was a scene of the family walking through a factory and a steam valve opened up on one of the managers/workers - he was cooked. Maybe I'm mixing a memory from another movie?
I don't watch as often as I used to - but this is one of your better reviews... incorporating actual clips/music to back up your points always results in a stronger video. Love the reviews of classics :-)
Brandon C. Ikr? Love me some British horror. Compared to American horror movies, they have this less-produced more subtle vibe. Like take Neil Marshall for example, basically a British Sam Raimi. He made Dog Soldiers and The Descent, effectively two indie films that blew up with cult followings. Both are excellent.
I saw this movie when it was first released at the age of six; taken by my irresponsible father. Suffice to say it scared the living shit out of me, borderline.. Thanks dad..
@@medalgear654 No, you really don't. My mother stopped me from watching these kinds of movies until I was well into my teens. Didn't even see Jaws until I was at least 15. I remember I hated it at the time, and too many kids were seeing and talking about these creepy movies and bragging about how they were allowed to see them. I look back w/ gratefulness now. I just snuck a peek at Hitchcock's, The Birds, when I was a preteen, left out in the stick, at home babysitting younger siblings. I was forbidden to watch it, and for good reason. I was filed w/ dread every time I saw a bunch of birds congregate anywhere for decades later. I totally relate to the OP on this and his irresponsible father.
my brother used to collect horror memorabilia and we shared a room so I saw all the horror films/TV shows way too young. I think it's traumatised me for life hehe. I do remember this one especially upsetting me though.
I'm terrified of this movie. the omens 2 even more. when the archeologist finds the wall and is suffocated in the cave.....what history were you talking about? I'd love to know🤔😊
@@beatyea5711 that basically the child actress who played in it died mysteriously a few years after the movie as well as a cameraman I think. Anyways, the gist being that a lot of people died surrounding the movie.
On the score... (spoilers here, obviously...) * * * * The scene where Lee Remick dies (which is nightmarish because she's literally restrained in the most bizarre way) gives me chills - almost throwbacks to some of the better moments from "Psycho". The scene is slow and tense, with Billie Whitelaw's nightmarish face slowly coming towards the camera out of the darkness (what a great villain portrayal, by the way - it's not even that she's got a complex motivation or anything, it's just her whole demeanour and the fact that she's apparently subservient while always remaining in complete control of any situation.) And then you've got the almost shower-scene esque violin shrieks and choir accompanying it. It's like some particularly vivid nightmare where you're in a state of utter panic but can't move or do anything to avert the situation you're dreaming about. That's what probably describes the score best - nightmarish, in a very literal sense. Also there's a particularly subtle throwback to this movie in "Scream 2", which features an uncredited cameo by David Warner as Sydney's drama professor.
Billie Whitelock was amazing in that movie as the nanny. She was so scary. From the minute she showed up at the house, you knew she was just pure evil.
older films were generally made at a different slower pace in the 70s from what a young modern audience expects to see in much more recent years. Also that slower pace suits the material it's essential with a story like this to CARE about the characters, and that can't be rushed, Jerry Goldsmith did a superb job with the music the contrast between the...soap opera like early scenes, and the satanic choral chants that come later, just as the visuals contrast so well with each other as the film progresses.
The sequel is very good the Omen3 was rushed and could've been brilliant by ending on a cliffhanger that concluded in a forth Omen movie. Rather than the TV version of the Omen4 which wasn't needed.
The Omen was arguably more scary than The Exorcist which was a good film no doubt., but more shocking as opposed to being actually scary, which The Omen was and whereas the sequels to The Exorcist pale in comparison, Damien Omen 2 & The Final Conflict were commendable in their own right.
Now it's torture porn, creepy men, and shitty, but effective, jump scares. Horror has lost its way. Audiences these days see something that's 3 days old and declare it's been dead for 3 years. The real horror these days is shitty horror movies.
Peer165 mainstream studios yea, but overall horror is in an excellent place right now because of small indie movies. You just need to know where to look
I remember hearing about how its deliberately open ended and it creeped out Gregory Peck so much that he liked to believe the kid wasn't really the antichrist, the father was just crazy.
It would have been crazy of Beck was actually the Anti Christ but he keeps believing it's his son showing off that not is he just insane but that he is the Unintended Evil.
I love that you’re doing these classics, and can’t wait to see what you review next. However, I hope you get a chance to see The Lighthouse. It looks absolutely incredible and would love to hear your thoughts on it. Don’t wanna interrupt a schedule you might have of these reviews, but thought I’d bring up this movie. 😊😊
Susan McKinney Sad thing about it is there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hype for it, at least to people I’ve talked to. There’s more hype on Jojo Rabbit (which looks awesome) and other A24 films which look cool, but The Lighthouse just looks phenomenal and probably one of the best of the year.
Great movie! I went to see it with a friend when it was released. My friend was crying in the theatre so we were asked to leave before the end. Interesting side note, the Nanny who hung herself is Jack Palance's daughter. EDIT: Her name is Holly Palance
The Omen is the first horror movie I ever saw and it inspired my life-long love of the genre. I like the entire original trilogy but particularly this first film, though Sam Neill is fantastic in "The Final Conflict". He's a sexy and charming Antichrist who's appeal is understandable rather than just seeming fanatic as it does in most films.
Rosemary's Baby is for me still far more effective that The Omen, but both these films are far more effective than The Exorcist. Sadly both these great films had the dishonour of being remade.... very badly.
Actually bought the soundtrack from a charity shop/thrift store about 4 months ago on CD It's amazing but I've always loved the film, the two sequels are ok.
I mean when you hash a horror remake with the same ideas that made the movie good, it’s not always gonna work the second go around. I think that’s what Chris was trying to say. Remember every American remake of popular Japanese horror flicks? Most are not good today because the japanese version just did it better and Hollywood just hashed those ideas and called it their own original idea. THAT IS Elitist.
@@Johnboi6969 no. It's because greedy shallow idiots who just want a big phat paycheck make those remakes and reboots. You take writers and directors who truly have passion for their craft and genuinely want to make a good movie as a form of art and not just for money to write those reboots and remakes and I guarantee you those movies wouldnt suck. It's not the movies. It's the dumbasses who jump on board to write and direct them since they think itll be a quick easy paycheck.
This is one of the best horrors ever made. I disagree about it not being rewatch able, the sheer tone and unique ominous ness of the fulcrum of impending doom is fascinating. You didn’t even mention the amazing scenes at the end. Some of the most affective stuff ever made.
You know what makes Chris THE BEST movie critic? It's that he can get really into the artsy films and break down the aspects of them that make them so interesting and enjoyable to watch while at the same time thoroughly enjoying straight popcorn flicks like the Marvel movies. You can tell that he has a genuine love for movies. He doesn't live in an ivory tower thinking he's above everyone else. He comes across as just an ordinary person who genuinely loves film regardless what it is. Even the movies deemed worthy of his hilariocity list.
The scene with Lee Remick's fall from the balcony and her subsequent fall are seared in my memory. Shocking and deeply disturbing. Unforgettable horror moments.
Fun fact: David Warner, the man who plays the photographer in this film, did the voice for Jon Irenicus, the primary antagonist in Baldur's Gate 2. Some 14 years later he came back to reprise his role in Baldur's Gate Siege of Dragonspear.
Great review! The Omen is easily in my top ten of all-time favorite horror films, and I agree with most of your observations about this film, especially about the score. The Omen is an example of a score that elevates a film above weaknesses in the script, poor character development, pacing issues, or any number of things that typically occur in film making. Where I disagree with your critique is that I feel the cast in this film gave it a level of class not typically seen in a horror film, and even though the attack scene with Gregory Peck may seem lacking in overall action, Billie Whitelaw as the nanny from Hell is scary in her determination to kill anyone who tries to stop the antichrist. The familiars protecting Damien, represented by Mrs. Baylock and the rottweiler add an extra layer of menace. I actually prefer this film over The Exorcist because there is an apocalyptic feel and tone to this film. Where the Exorcist is largely relegated to a single setting letting us know that evil exists in the world, The Omen lets us know that the world is about to be consumed by evil and there isn't a thing that can be done about it.
Omen 1 , 2, and 3 back to back was an event remembered still today by myself and a friend. In the dark with buckets of popcorn and full sugar soda action.
Man, I remember going to see this in the theater as a kid. It was such good, creepy fun. "It's all for you!" is still something my friends and I will yell out to one another.
Haha went full on alien enthusiast for about 3 months lol came across the story this is based on and then the movie, totally agree with your comment though.
Hey Chris, have you ever seen The Hitcher from 1986 starring Rutger Hauer. If you haven't, it's a really good film. Just like Hellraiser, Roger Ebert hated it, but he gave The Hitcher zero stars.
Hey, Chris! Happens that my local movie-theater has an annual horror-marathon with classic films, and the Omen from 1976 happened to be this weekend's projection! I was so glad to see your newest review was for this film, it was the first time I watch this film (I saw the remake, unfortunately) and I was so excited to check on your review right after the experience. Keep them coming!
@@joeyxl3456 definitely. I just personally find the whole tone of the film pitch perfect. The cinematography is superb and the deaths man. This film has some OG final destination shit as well.
Hey Chris. When you get the chance please watch and review Parasite, directed by Bong Joon Ho. I'd love to hear your opinion on it. Thank you and have a nice day. 😃
There was a period for a few years when my favorite band would play the main theme song from The Omen before they came on stage. This was before I ever saw the movie, and when I did it was a fun revelation to find out where it came from. The last time I saw the movie it really stuck out how it could have ended differently had he just calmly driven away from his home rather than speeding past the guard house and drawing so much attention.
Also... Exorcist III? Great acting from the lead characters, intriguing story. Not as good as the first one, but it does the best out of all of the subsequent movies that tried to tie themselves to the original, and is superior to Exorcist 2 and the OMFG I CAN'T BELIEVE I PAID TO WATCH THIS IN THE THEATER prequel. Brad Dourif KILLS in it. Literally and figuratively. It is on Amazon prime, if anyone is interested in checking it out.
Lol, saying music is ahead of its time....makes no sense what makes ACTUAL sense is saying that, nowadays people don't TRY to make good music anymore like in starwars, pathetic and forgetful are the new movies while the old ones are SO easy to remember, because they had actual memorable tunes and beats so yeah it's not ahead of its time is more like, THEY ACTUALLY CARED to leave a mark with music
Man chris i love your halloween/horror reviews thanks man but jesus that lake mungo scared the shit outta me i haven't slept since that upload so thanks lol have a great weekend brother. 😎
Hey bro.. I'm not trying to be annoying but it's.."your"..not "you're" which is "you are"...just for future reference. If I offended you in any way I apologize. I just don't want you to make that mistake in the future
The Omen also benefits greatly from its solid supporting cast: Patrick Troughton as the priest-on-a-skewer; the great David Warner as the photographer; the severe and terrifying Billie Whitelaw (remember her from *Hot Fuzz* ?) as the Satanist nanny; and even veteran Leo McKern shows up briefly as the archaeologist. (American audiences may not know from McKern apart from playing the old priest in *Ladyhawke* 35 years ago.) And then there's Lee Remick, one of the most underappreciated actresses of her time, as Damien's mother. While Peck's role reflects the mystery of the situation, Remick's role reflects the horror and the trauma, and, in many ways, she gets the worst of the movie's pain. Also, for film nuts: the nanny who hangs herself is Holly Palance, the daughter of Jack Palance. She quit acting in the late 80s, but she's still around. For a little bit, she hosted Ripley's Believe It or Not with her dad.
3:57 Ah yes, the paneful decapitation. Like the money shot in anime, where the explosive scene is shown three times from different angles. Edit: It was six times from multiple angles!
colburn888 Man, I started watching “Fire in the Sky” eons ago and can’t remember what but something interrupted me (not an alien 👽 LOL) and I never finished watching it. I want to see that movie.
Some Italian priests saw a comet / star over Italy, followed a beam of light from it, which would almost certainly not have been visible to normal human optics, and located a jackal giving birth to a ' human ' entity. They actually witnessed the birth, retrieved the body of the dead jackal, and of course also secured the new born baby. In almost the same instant a line invisible to the naked eye made contact with the new born baby of Robert and Kathy Thorn, occasioning the death of that baby by an object falling and impacting the skull.
A true masterpiece of a horror film, much better than the tripe that's made today. Still scary as sht to me. Genius story telling and amazing acting along with camera work.
I don't get Chris's hype about the Exorcist to such an extent that I assume it's all nostalgia based. I saw The Omen only 2 years ago and it was more impactful than any horror movie, such as The Shining or Halloween. However it does get beat out by Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Me too! Sam Neill makes a very sexy and appealing Antichrist. His charm makes it easy to see how his followers get sucked in as opposed to just being fanatics.
Really? You love "The Omen 3? Fair enough, it's not the oddest comment I've ever read, I saw a comment someone left saying Jaws 3D was better than Jaws and Jaws 2. Different strokes for different folks.
The nanny's suicide is one of the most shocking horror movie moments.
Yyyyyyep. Still shocks me to this day.
I don’t know man I could never get the photographers beheading out of my head, but yeah that scene creeped me out too.
@@shytguy Both of them are still burned in my memory. The Omen is one of my all time favs.
@Move_I_Got_This I love how the clown is like "great bitch ruin my big birthday gig"
I met Harvey Spencer (Damien) at a convention a few months ago. Super cool guy. We talked about that scene and he said he wasn't even there for it. They shot his parts separately and edited him into it after
The dude had *PLENTY* of time to jump out of the way from that spear 🤦♂️
Vs. Charlize Theron trying to outrun the giant donut in Prometheus lol
He kinda wanted to die though.
If he was going to move, the spear would have taken a different trajectory. It was destined to happen... the devil did the entire set up.
Darth News reminds me of the steamroller from Austin powers lmao
@@nickmattio3397 that was tooooooo freaking funny!!!
LMAO
I just found out Gregory Peck' s son had committed suicide shortly before the movie was made and he kept his commitment, hoping work would help him get through his grief
I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to film the final scene.
His tears in the climax should give you an idea.
That’s an incredibly sobering and sad development-l didn’t know that he had a son and that the son had committed suicide before filming began.That really brings a truly tragic and heartbreaking dimension to the film and its production.
I remember that narrator who did most of the movie trailers back then, he was cool.
I miss the feel of those trailers.
Yeah... You are. right
Nowadays it would be seen as cheesy
@@mrflipperinvader7922 I like cheese.😎
@@dcaseng there definitely is an audience for it though now the voice over guy is now restricted to TV spots
What would Stuckmann be like in the old days of trailers?
This was part of the “Evil Child” era of horror. Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, Halloween, It’s Alive, etc.
Dude thats been a thing for a long time
@@christiano3819 And it’s been a thing for a long time because of the listed movies… which were made a long time ago
Alice Sweet Alice
The thing I love most about the omen is that it’s more about the horror of deciding to murder a child rather than the fright of a potential antichrist. It’s a slow descent into possible madness
Yes religious mania.
You alive?
You're _exactly_ right. That's specifically what Richard Donner was going for . . . the idea that it's not supernatural at all, that we're seeing a series of strange events, all freak _but plausible_ occurrences, that drive Thorne to insanity.
70's horror is, to me, the most disturbing.
70’s and some 80’s (Hellraiser) But yeah, 70’s horror was just... gritty. Love it.
Don't look now. The Changeling
@@newagehorror873 Oh please The Changeling was boring as fuck
I think 70's horror was so scary because many of the horror movies of that time were movies that could really happen.
@@karenhall4645 Or what we thought could happen at the time that they came out.
This score gave me nightmares as a kid
Same here!!! ALWAYS!!!!!
me too
Really what was that movie about?
Same
Yep. One of the most terrifying scores ever composed.
One scene that always sent a chill up my spine was when Mrs. Baylock came to kill Katherine, the look of utter terror on Katherine's face felt so real.
Yes, her eyes were amazing
The Omen a classic will never be topped
This was the first horror film I ever saw as a kid and it's remained one of my favourite horror films of all time.
Same here...
Me too.
Me too and it has to be the original, not the remake.
David Warner was awesome in this. Underrated actor
True. Appeared in supporting roles all over. English actor. Started out in English 1960s films. Sadly died a few years ago.
@@davidcritchley3509 I'm pretty sure that David Warner is still alive, because I just watched him in something recently.
"Wizard wizz!" (That's an Mst3k reference).
I met him three years ago! It was a great honor meeting him
stonefree00 Loved him in Waxwork and Batman the animated series.
Mark Gatiss in "A History of Horror" asked David Warner what happened to his severed head. Warner's response?
"I lost it in the divorce".
Ha! I just watched that a few days ago.
XD that's perfect lol
That documentary is SO good.
We don't deserve him lol🤣😍
amazingly he starred in 2 titanic movies, way scarier.
We need to talk about rosemary’s baby 🔥🙏🏽
Yes. A notable classic.
Imagine if rosemarys baby and damien went to the same kindergarten, the high jinx they would get up to !
fluffy bunny for real hahah
One of the best films EVER!!!!
boring movie
The shot of the mother hitting the floor is genius!
I always thought this film was so so so underrated..... in that even the few all horror all the time you tube channels or Jeremy even never lists this as one of the top to better horror films, so was nice to see you Chris talk about your like, love and respect of the movie.
I’m perplexed Chris hasn’t reviewed El Camino yet
DHughesy202 cuz it ain't horror. Maybe next month.
"El Camino could be considered ahead of its time, an absolute epitome of its time, or maybe even timeless. It’s oddly beautiful, coolly impractical, and intriguingly desirable."
- Review from Truck Trend Magazine
It wasn't even really a movie. Just an extra long episode and way too overhyped
Jude Ceant can still be reviewed, he had reviewed shows before
@@soraceant overhyped or not it was great!!
Talking about the sountrack, Ave Satani's theme is truly terrifying.
@Brandon C. And the whispering when Mr thorn comes back home to kill Damian.
Dude I've been working out to this theme any many others being it's getting close to Halloween and all lol.
I like both this and Rosemary's Baby more than the Exorcist.
I do to for some reason
I think all 3 movies are on par. I can't choose one over the other.
Imo:
1. Rosemary (10/10)
2. Exorcist (9/10)
3. Omen (8/10)
They’re all obviously great though
Rosemary's Baby felt more like a thriller drama than a genuine Horror movie. Great flick regardless.
I've never liked the Exorcist, just didn't find it scary. This one though, still gives me chills.
I always found The Omen way scarier than The Exorcist. To each their own.
I would agree w that. Definitely creeped me out way way that's 4 sure.
I would say they are equally scary but in different ways. The Exorcist is scary in a very viseral way, and The Omen is in a psychological way. i had read both books before I saw the films, so I had a different view. The Omen really got under my skin!!!
@@delfin7461 also for me, the concept is scarier in The Omen. What if your child was the antichrist? What would or could you do? But if your kid is possessed, then an exorcism normally sorts them out. The dilemma is more serious in The Omen, and it doesn't change. Even today, that idea is scary.
@@rogersjgregory oh yeah, that's why it got under my skin so much. And as good as the film is, the book is REALLY scary. The idea of having to kill your child is beyond awful.
I agree. I’ve always preferred this to The Exorcist.
This movie deeply affected me when I watched it. There are so many moments from the film that I clearly remember more than 40 years later. It was also the first time I'd scene David Warner in anything and I really liked him. His character's death really bothered me.
twins. Exactly the same with me, I'm nearly 50 now and still remember how upset I was when I saw it.
I remember watching this movie when I was 8 or 9 - at my first sleepover. Needless to say, no one slept and I didn't do another sleepover for YEARS. The Steam death was the one that got me the most. 😱
What steam death ?
@@whoknew2273 Darn good question. I just tried to Google it. Mind you, we are going 40 years into the archive of memories, but I would swear there was a scene of the family walking through a factory and a steam valve opened up on one of the managers/workers - he was cooked. Maybe I'm mixing a memory from another movie?
@@melkeekiper3293 That's from "The Omen II." Poor guy was poisoned. That entire movie messed me up!! I asked God to forgive me for seeing it! LOL!
@@kimberry2010 Thank you! I have not seen the Omen in 40 years? Not since that night...
Who could forgot the theme song for this movie... It's haunting, like demon chanting... Move aside Tubular Bells!
Tubular bells is more light hearted and more heroic
I don't watch as often as I used to - but this is one of your better reviews... incorporating actual clips/music to back up your points always results in a stronger video. Love the reviews of classics :-)
Please review Don’t Look Now with Donald Sutherland, great 70’s British horror/thriller.
Brandon C.
Ikr? Love me some British horror.
Compared to American horror movies, they have this less-produced more subtle vibe.
Like take Neil Marshall for example, basically a British Sam Raimi. He made Dog Soldiers and The Descent, effectively two indie films that blew up with cult followings. Both are excellent.
Found a Criterion of it for a good price. Finally gonna see it!
It's one of my friend's favorites. I never got the appeal. I saw it on TV, she saw it in some art class, so that may be the difference.
It’s all for you Chris stuckamnn.
*Stuckmann.😂
*Stuckmann.😂
sarad matthew tigga You may have saved someone's life out of pissing him off.
this comment is underrated 😂
Buthaina Idrissi
Thank you my guy
One of my favourite horror movies ever!!! 👹
I saw this movie when it was first released at the age of six; taken by my irresponsible father. Suffice to say it scared the living shit out of me, borderline..
Thanks dad..
Yeah but did you enjoy the movie?
Wish my dad was that irresponsible :-)
Hopefully it taught you a valuable lesson in life.
@@medalgear654 No, you really don't. My mother stopped me from watching these kinds of movies until I was well into my teens. Didn't even see Jaws until I was at least 15. I remember I hated it at the time, and too many kids were seeing and talking about these creepy movies and bragging about how they were allowed to see them. I look back w/ gratefulness now. I just snuck a peek at Hitchcock's, The Birds, when I was a preteen, left out in the stick, at home babysitting younger siblings. I was forbidden to watch it, and for good reason. I was filed w/ dread every time I saw a bunch of birds congregate anywhere for decades later. I totally relate to the OP on this and his irresponsible father.
my brother used to collect horror memorabilia and we shared a room so I saw all the horror films/TV shows way too young. I think it's traumatised me for life hehe. I do remember this one especially upsetting me though.
The background history of The Omen is interesting
I'm terrified of this movie. the omens 2 even more. when the archeologist finds the wall and is suffocated in the cave.....what history were you talking about? I'd love to know🤔😊
@@beatyea5711 he means the making of documentary. You find this on the dvd extras.
@@thomasebert3072 thank you! totally makes sense.
@@beatyea5711 that basically the child actress who played in it died mysteriously a few years after the movie as well as a cameraman I think. Anyways, the gist being that a lot of people died surrounding the movie.
@@lotrgirl275 I looked it up, wow! that's insane.
On the score... (spoilers here, obviously...)
*
*
*
*
The scene where Lee Remick dies (which is nightmarish because she's literally restrained in the most bizarre way) gives me chills - almost throwbacks to some of the better moments from "Psycho". The scene is slow and tense, with Billie Whitelaw's nightmarish face slowly coming towards the camera out of the darkness (what a great villain portrayal, by the way - it's not even that she's got a complex motivation or anything, it's just her whole demeanour and the fact that she's apparently subservient while always remaining in complete control of any situation.) And then you've got the almost shower-scene esque violin shrieks and choir accompanying it. It's like some particularly vivid nightmare where you're in a state of utter panic but can't move or do anything to avert the situation you're dreaming about. That's what probably describes the score best - nightmarish, in a very literal sense.
Also there's a particularly subtle throwback to this movie in "Scream 2", which features an uncredited cameo by David Warner as Sydney's drama professor.
H0lyMoley hey what year did this movie come out please? Is this the movie with Robert dinero ?
@@jussjess2829 I'm talking about the MUSICAL score for "The Omen", not the movie "The Score"!
Billie Whitelock was amazing in that movie as the nanny. She was so scary. From the minute she showed up at the house, you knew she was just pure evil.
older films were generally made at a different slower pace in the 70s from what a young modern audience expects to see in much more recent years. Also that slower pace suits the material it's essential with a story like this to CARE about the characters, and that can't be rushed, Jerry Goldsmith did a superb job with the music the contrast between the...soap opera like early scenes, and the satanic choral chants that come later, just as the visuals contrast so well with each other as the film progresses.
👍👍👍
I would love to know your opinion about The Omen sequels.
The sequel is very good the Omen3 was rushed and could've been brilliant by ending on a cliffhanger that concluded in a forth Omen movie. Rather than the TV version of the Omen4 which wasn't needed.
I like the The Awakening
This film effed with my head and so did "The Omen II."
same mehn, this movie and The Omen II scared the shit outta me as a kid
The Omen was arguably more scary than The Exorcist which was a good film no doubt., but more shocking as opposed to being actually scary, which The Omen was and whereas the sequels to The Exorcist pale in comparison, Damien Omen 2 & The Final Conflict were commendable in their own right.
"Its all for You Damien!" FUCKED ME UP. I saw it as a kid thanks to my dad not telling me to leave the room when I walked in watching this.
massively.
Bastards, they impaled Doctor Who.
It's ok. They only got one heart.
The Hylden Also he can regenerate.
The Doctor
It's like studios today forgot how to make horror.
Now it's torture porn, creepy men, and shitty, but effective, jump scares. Horror has lost its way. Audiences these days see something that's 3 days old and declare it's been dead for 3 years. The real horror these days is shitty horror movies.
Because shitty horror movies are a modern trope...
Peer165 mainstream studios yea, but overall horror is in an excellent place right now because of small indie movies. You just need to know where to look
Shea Doherty literally just run through A24 movies. The Witch and Hereditary are the two best horror movies of the last ten years if not more.
Watch Get Out and It Follows. Both better than this film imo.
This movie scared me shitless when I was a young boy. I should rewatch it again to see if it still holds up.
I also love the fact that Damien himself never does anything evil.
Thats the whole thing. Surprised chris didn't say anything about that.
I remember hearing about how its deliberately open ended and it creeped out Gregory Peck so much that he liked to believe the kid wasn't really the antichrist, the father was just crazy.
It would have been crazy of Beck was actually the Anti Christ but he keeps believing it's his son showing off that not is he just insane but that he is the Unintended Evil.
Actually, Damien pushed his mother down off of the second floor causing her to loose her unborn baby.
U are wrong, because of Damien her mother fell down
If u think about it theres sad elements to this film, like pecks original son dying, that’s just shocking.
I remember seeing this movie in my childhood
I love that you’re doing these classics, and can’t wait to see what you review next. However, I hope you get a chance to see The Lighthouse. It looks absolutely incredible and would love to hear your thoughts on it. Don’t wanna interrupt a schedule you might have of these reviews, but thought I’d bring up this movie. 😊😊
On the subject of Willem Dafoe, please review Shadow of the Vampire.
I'm really looking forward to that movie
Susan McKinney Sad thing about it is there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hype for it, at least to people I’ve talked to. There’s more hype on Jojo Rabbit (which looks awesome) and other A24 films which look cool, but The Lighthouse just looks phenomenal and probably one of the best of the year.
There’s a review by Chris on that film.
The sheet glass decapitation is both horrifying and hilarious. Love the way that the head rolls over and over on the glass.
Great movie! I went to see it with a friend when it was released. My friend was crying in the theatre so we were asked to leave before the end. Interesting side note, the Nanny who hung herself is Jack Palance's daughter. EDIT: Her name is Holly Palance
The Omen is the first horror movie I ever saw and it inspired my life-long love of the genre. I like the entire original trilogy but particularly this first film, though Sam Neill is fantastic in "The Final Conflict". He's a sexy and charming Antichrist who's appeal is understandable rather than just seeming fanatic as it does in most films.
Well put.
all three are really great, this being my favourite of course. The music is so scary.
Love your reviews from older movies. They’re so much more informative and detailed than your regular reviews from movies that just came out.
Rosemary's Baby is for me still far more effective that The Omen, but both these films are far more effective than The Exorcist. Sadly both these great films had the dishonour of being remade.... very badly.
There equal movies
Actually bought the soundtrack from a charity shop/thrift store about 4 months ago on CD
It's amazing but I've always loved the film, the two sequels are ok.
Chris, saying "all the good ideas have been done" is like saying "everything that can be invented has already been invented".
He can be an elitist ass sometimes honestly.
He ain't lying thoo
I mean when you hash a horror remake with the same ideas that made the movie good, it’s not always gonna work the second go around. I think that’s what Chris was trying to say. Remember every American remake of popular Japanese horror flicks? Most are not good today because the japanese version just did it better and Hollywood just hashed those ideas and called it their own original idea. THAT IS Elitist.
@@Johnboi6969 They never called it their original idea though. They gave due respect to the originals in the credits.
@@Johnboi6969 no. It's because greedy shallow idiots who just want a big phat paycheck make those remakes and reboots. You take writers and directors who truly have passion for their craft and genuinely want to make a good movie as a form of art and not just for money to write those reboots and remakes and I guarantee you those movies wouldnt suck. It's not the movies. It's the dumbasses who jump on board to write and direct them since they think itll be a quick easy paycheck.
I love this channel so much. Chris review all newest movies, and then BAM! some old priceless classic. How can you not love this genius man?
This is one of the best horrors ever made. I disagree about it not being rewatch able, the sheer tone and unique ominous ness of the fulcrum of impending doom is fascinating. You didn’t even mention the amazing scenes at the end. Some of the most affective stuff ever made.
This filmed ruined my mind when i was 12. It still disturbs me no end. Way more than The Exorcist. Anyone else?
0:26 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- wait I could’ve just moved out of the way who cares just live in the moment-OOOO
NOOOOOO THAT WAS MY FAVORITE POLEEEEEEEEE
Luke, I´m your father
More importantly why didn't he regenerate into Jon Pertwee?
Mark Leneker 1:04
Maybe he's like Votan where he's embracing his death instead of running from it?
You know what makes Chris THE BEST movie critic? It's that he can get really into the artsy films and break down the aspects of them that make them so interesting and enjoyable to watch while at the same time thoroughly enjoying straight popcorn flicks like the Marvel movies. You can tell that he has a genuine love for movies. He doesn't live in an ivory tower thinking he's above everyone else. He comes across as just an ordinary person who genuinely loves film regardless what it is. Even the movies deemed worthy of his hilariocity list.
Chris, can you PLEASE do a review of "Parasite" when you get the chance? Hope it will be an A+!
He did
The scene with Lee Remick's fall from the balcony and her subsequent fall are seared in my memory. Shocking and deeply disturbing. Unforgettable horror moments.
One of my favorite horror films next to Rosemary's baby and the exorsist
the 70s was a really good time for the devil.
That’s because, if we include “The Shining” in your list, we get the four best horror movies ever
@@emmalfal except pazuzzu was the demon in the exorcist.
Mine too
Fun fact: David Warner, the man who plays the photographer in this film, did the voice for Jon Irenicus, the primary antagonist in Baldur's Gate 2. Some 14 years later he came back to reprise his role in Baldur's Gate Siege of Dragonspear.
I watched this movie as a six year old who would go to church. Yup, terrifying.
Very happy that you finally reviewed this movie, one of my favorite horror movies!
Great review! The Omen is easily in my top ten of all-time favorite horror films, and I agree with most of your observations about this film, especially about the score. The Omen is an example of a score that elevates a film above weaknesses in the script, poor character development, pacing issues, or any number of things that typically occur in film making. Where I disagree with your critique is that I feel the cast in this film gave it a level of class not typically seen in a horror film, and even though the attack scene with Gregory Peck may seem lacking in overall action, Billie Whitelaw as the nanny from Hell is scary in her determination to kill anyone who tries to stop the antichrist. The familiars protecting Damien, represented by Mrs. Baylock and the rottweiler add an extra layer of menace. I actually prefer this film over The Exorcist because there is an apocalyptic feel and tone to this film. Where the Exorcist is largely relegated to a single setting letting us know that evil exists in the world, The Omen lets us know that the world is about to be consumed by evil and there isn't a thing that can be done about it.
I totally agree with you
Omen 1 , 2, and 3 back to back was an event remembered still today by myself and a friend. In the dark with buckets of popcorn and full sugar soda action.
The Main Theme is everything.
Man, I remember going to see this in the theater as a kid. It was such good, creepy fun. "It's all for you!" is still something my friends and I will yell out to one another.
I caught a glimpse of Fire in the Sky in the intro. Nice! People don't talk about that movie enough.
Matt Brown
That movie fucked me up for some reason.
Ive only seen the abduction scene and thats enough for me
Haha went full on alien enthusiast for about 3 months lol came across the story this is based on and then the movie, totally agree with your comment though.
@@PunchineloPow lol that's funny because that's exactly how I discovered the movie too lol
Thanks, Chris. 🐦 I just saw Palme d'Or winner PARASITE (2019) and *loved* it. I was wondering if you might see/review it?
Hey Chris, have you ever seen The Hitcher from 1986 starring Rutger Hauer. If you haven't, it's a really good film. Just like Hellraiser, Roger Ebert hated it, but he gave The Hitcher zero stars.
hunter mooney i love that movie 👌🏻
Love The Hitcher
That was a GOOD movie!!
Rutger Hauer was great!!
Hair in attack mode today! Keep up the fantastic work my man 👍
I’m surprised you haven’t done the 1973 Don’t Look Now
I'm going to order and watch that one tonight!
Ima have to give it a watch
Probably way too slow for a millennial critic.
@@benjimetalhedsomeone who discriminates by age who would have thought
Don’t worry, he’ll look later.
Hey, Chris! Happens that my local movie-theater has an annual horror-marathon with classic films, and the Omen from 1976 happened to be this weekend's projection! I was so glad to see your newest review was for this film, it was the first time I watch this film (I saw the remake, unfortunately) and I was so excited to check on your review right after the experience. Keep them coming!
As that pole javelins towards that guy, did it ever occur to him just to move out of the way.
BLOODY POND LIVES i would've caught it.
@@raam726 me too, but I would have caught it with my face like the priest.
Nooooooooooooo
me he should've balanced it on the tip of his tongue. Pointy cancels pointy right.
He probably knew it was a fixed point in time and that he couldn't change it.
Watched it for the first time for my Halloween marathon, so many terrifying imagery and a memorable score.
I actually class this as the scariest film I've ever watched tbh. The graveyard scene scared me like no other.
even the wind blowing in the trees is scary in that scene
@@joeyxl3456 definitely. I just personally find the whole tone of the film pitch perfect. The cinematography is superb and the deaths man. This film has some OG final destination shit as well.
This was an excellent review as always, Chris. Now please grow your beard long. We're all waiting for it.
Hey Chris. When you get the chance please watch and review Parasite, directed by Bong Joon Ho. I'd love to hear your opinion on it.
Thank you and have a nice day. 😃
Yesssss
There was a period for a few years when my favorite band would play the main theme song from The Omen before they came on stage. This was before I ever saw the movie, and when I did it was a fun revelation to find out where it came from.
The last time I saw the movie it really stuck out how it could have ended differently had he just calmly driven away from his home rather than speeding past the guard house and drawing so much attention.
It was these deaths that stuck with me even to this day.
Also... Exorcist III?
Great acting from the lead characters, intriguing story. Not as good as the first one, but it does the best out of all of the subsequent movies that tried to tie themselves to the original, and is superior to Exorcist 2 and the OMFG I CAN'T BELIEVE I PAID TO WATCH THIS IN THE THEATER prequel.
Brad Dourif KILLS in it. Literally and figuratively.
It is on Amazon prime, if anyone is interested in checking it out.
Lol, saying music is ahead of its time....makes no sense
what makes ACTUAL sense is saying that, nowadays people don't TRY to make good music anymore
like in starwars, pathetic and forgetful are the new movies
while the old ones are SO easy to remember, because they had actual memorable tunes and beats
so yeah
it's not ahead of its time
is more like, THEY ACTUALLY CARED to leave a mark with music
Angel Lucroix stfu
Man chris i love your halloween/horror reviews thanks man but jesus that lake mungo scared the shit outta me i haven't slept since that upload so thanks lol have a great weekend brother. 😎
Please review The Legend of Hell House a movie in 1973 ... my favorite horror movie (it really is so good-ish) ;)
So I watched Lake Mungo and Chris... Thank you for bringing this movie to my attention! And thank you for finally reviewing The Omen!
Chris, your Vampire’s Kiss hilariocity is long overdue.
Hey bro.. I'm not trying to be annoying but it's.."your"..not "you're" which is "you are"...just for future reference. If I offended you in any way I apologize. I just don't want you to make that mistake in the future
William Silapheth oh I didn’t even notice. Probably an autocorrect error. I’ll fix it. Lol
@@hellionaire1209 lol.. It's all good, brother..I was just trying to look out for you
The Omen also benefits greatly from its solid supporting cast: Patrick Troughton as the priest-on-a-skewer; the great David Warner as the photographer; the severe and terrifying Billie Whitelaw (remember her from *Hot Fuzz* ?) as the Satanist nanny; and even veteran Leo McKern shows up briefly as the archaeologist. (American audiences may not know from McKern apart from playing the old priest in *Ladyhawke* 35 years ago.) And then there's Lee Remick, one of the most underappreciated actresses of her time, as Damien's mother. While Peck's role reflects the mystery of the situation, Remick's role reflects the horror and the trauma, and, in many ways, she gets the worst of the movie's pain.
Also, for film nuts: the nanny who hangs herself is Holly Palance, the daughter of Jack Palance. She quit acting in the late 80s, but she's still around. For a little bit, she hosted Ripley's Believe It or Not with her dad.
3:57 Ah yes, the paneful decapitation. Like the money shot in anime, where the explosive scene is shown three times from different angles.
Edit: It was six times from multiple angles!
One of your best reviews, Chris. Have you ever done the ninth gate? We liked that one back in the day
0:04 Fire in the Sky is one of the scariest movies of all time. The alien abduction will give u nightmares for life.
colburn888 Man, I started watching “Fire in the Sky” eons ago and can’t remember what but something interrupted me (not an alien 👽 LOL) and I never finished watching it. I want to see that movie.
"That shit is awesome!...... I mean, its fucked up but its really well done"
lmao I died
I haven’t seen this movie in years and just talking about it scares the shit outta me ! The Omen had a few parts as well didn’t it?
Some Italian priests saw a comet / star over Italy, followed a beam of light from it, which would almost certainly not have been visible to normal human optics, and located a jackal giving birth to a ' human ' entity. They actually witnessed the birth, retrieved the body of the dead jackal, and of course also secured the new born baby. In almost the same instant a line invisible to the naked eye made contact with the new born baby of Robert and Kathy Thorn, occasioning the death of that baby by an object falling and impacting the skull.
Did anyone notice that the first death chris showed....was that the second doctor?..
It sure was, that was Patrick Troughton, the 2nd Doctor Who 👍
A true masterpiece of a horror film, much better than the tripe that's made today. Still scary as sht to me. Genius story telling and amazing acting along with camera work.
Possibly my favourite '70s horror film.
dude im glad I stumbled onto your channel!!! liked and subbed, keep it coming broski
I don't get Chris's hype about the Exorcist to such an extent that I assume it's all nostalgia based. I saw The Omen only 2 years ago and it was more impactful than any horror movie, such as The Shining or Halloween.
However it does get beat out by Invasion of the Body Snatchers
This film is every bit as good as the exorcist and I'd say both are masterpieces that will never be bettered.
The omen and Halloween
Are presumably my favorite horror movies to watch during the Halloween season
I think the Omen is one of the most underrated horror movies ever
I really like The Omen 3 with Sam Neil.
Me too! Sam Neill makes a very sexy and appealing Antichrist. His charm makes it easy to see how his followers get sucked in as opposed to just being fanatics.
Really? You love "The Omen 3? Fair enough, it's not the oddest comment I've ever read, I saw a comment someone left saying Jaws 3D was better than Jaws and Jaws 2. Different strokes for different folks.
You deserve so many more subscribers! You are my favorite movie critic!