The
Omen Saga
The Omen
saga is a series of films that follow the life of Damien Thorn, the Anti-Christ
prophesied in the Book of Revelations. All three films had strong casts. The
first film is generally considered one of the best suspense films ever and was
very influential. The second and third
films are strong but obviously lack the creativity of the first. A fourth film,
Omen 4: The Awakening was made in 1991 but really had nothing to do with the
original trilogy. A remake was made in 2006 but didn’t add anything.
The
Omen
1976
Director- Richard Donner
Cast- Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner, Billy
Whitelaw, Harry Spencer Stephens, Patrick Troughton
When
this movie was made, popular culture wasn’t yet jumping at its spiritual shadow
the way it would in the 1980s, when fear of Satanism reached its 20th
century peak. The Omen was the prototype for a lot of the Satanic conspiracies
that would become so pervasive as the 20th century drew to a close.
There seems to be a perverse need for Armageddon fantasies, and this film
provided the prototype mythos; the birth of the Anti-Christ, the number of the
beast, and ambiguous prophecies from Revelations.
The
story follows the birth of said Anti-Christ, Damien Thorn. Gregory Peck plays
American diplomat Robert Thorne who is raising an adoptive child, Damien. As
the film progresses, strange phenomena and violent deaths begin to occur in
young Damien’s presence. Robert receives an enigmatic warning from a priest
about his son. The rest of the film is the unraveling of the mystery and the
slow realization for Robert Thorn as to just what his child is.
Damien
himself is barely a character. His few appearances are as a smirking little
cherub that reminds you why you hate children. The forces of evil manifest as
either the evil nanny sent to watch over him, evil dogs or just freak accidents
that dispose of anyone on the verge of discovering the child’s identity.
This is
played dead serious and casting Gregory Peck in the lead was the best way to
make sure that audiences knew it. Genre fans, of course, already know that
having David Warner in a supporting role is usually a sign that you’re in for
something good.
The
impact of this movie can’t be understated. It was one of the most popular films
of the 1970s and its impact on popular culture can still be felt today. People
who’ve never seen the film are still aware of the mad prophecies the film
predicts. Of course, these prophecies existed before The Omen, but this film is
responsible for diffusing these beliefs amongst all sections of popular
culture.
Damien:
Omen 2
1978
Director- Don Taylor
Cast- William Holden, Lee Grant, Jonathan Scott-Taylor,
Robert Foxworth, Lew Ayres, Lance Henriksen
This
film follows much the same formula as the first. William Holden plays the
brother of Gregory Peck’s character in the first film. He is raising Damien and
throughout the film receives clues and ominous warnings as to the boy’s
identity. Like the first film, Damien is protected by a cabal of followers and
“accidents” dispose of any who oppose him.
The
biggest difference is in Damien himself. Whereas he wasn’t much of a character
before, now he takes on a more prominent role, which is befitting given that
this film is about Damien’s coming of age. Jonathan Scott-Taylor doesn’t play
Damien as an arch villain but as a boy who is confused and conflicted about his
destiny. In one scene he seems quite pleased when his unholy powers are at work
and in another seems reluctant to use them. In the end though, he accepts his
destiny.
The film
gets a little silly just in the sheer number of people killed by mysterious
accidents. Considering Damien’s identity is supposed to be a secret, a lot of
people figure it out.
Genre
fans will delight in Lance Henirksen (in an early role) as one of the cultists
watching out for Damien. Tim Burton fans might also recognize Sylvia Sydney
(the spectral social worker Juno in Beetlejuice
and the grandmother in Mars Attacks!)
as one of Damien’s vocal opponents and first victim of the film.
In
general the second film lacked the punch of the original. It is well made
though and serves its purpose as a transition to the climax in the next film.
Omen
3: The Final Conflict
1981
Director- Graham Baker
Cast- Sam Neil, Don Gordon, Lisa Harrow, Rossano Brazzi,
Leueen Willoughby
I have
to admit that, even though it wasn’t nearly as good as the first film, part 3
is my favorite. That’s entirely due to the casting of Sam Neil (Jurassic Park, Even Horizon, Hunt for Red October). Damien was barely
in the first film, much more prominent in the second, and in the third he,
finally, takes center stage.
Damien
has taken his place as head of a Satanic cult. As a rising star in politics he
is taking his adoptive father’s job from the first film as ambassador to Great
Britain. This fits into Damien’s plans as prophesy predicts the 2nd
coming of Christ as originating there with the birth of a child. Damien is
opposed by a group pf monks who know his secret, each one armed with a holy
dagger. Damien then has to set about outsmarting the monks while trying to find
and destroy the newly born Christ child.
There is
some subtle ret-conning as the film was made only 3 years after the 2nd
but has to account for about 20 years of time. Unless you’re paying close
attention though, you probably won’t notice.
Sam Neil
plays the role as truly evil as is evident when he is having his monologue
discussions with either his father Satan, or the spirit of Christ. The only
silly part of the film is when Damien meets with his followers, which seem to
be in the hundreds. Common sense would dictate you couldn’t get that many
people to keep their mouth shut about a secret that big, but I guess you have to
suspend disbelief when you’re watching a movie like this.
Over all
it makes for a nice conclusion to the series. The Omen trilogy in general was
pretty gutsy in making a film series about the Anti-Christ. True fans of the
first film will enjoy the entire trilogy, though I think your average horror
fan will be satisfied to stop with the first.
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