(spoilers) One of the better horror movies of the 70s, "The Omen" follows the Exorcist in the religous larger production Supernatural horror genre. Its lower key and certainly 'in your face'. I liked the cast in Omen, especially Gregory Peck's stoicism, and a younger intrepid David Warner. Billie Whitelaw is good too as a baddy.
Director Richard Donner uses David Seltzer's story with good buildup. Right from the beginning we know the sinister is at hand with strange interations at the initial birth/events. And Certainly most memorable are the employment of photographs in the movie - wont completely give away but this was the 1st movie I'd seen using this novel idea. However there are a few poorly handled scenes, in particular some of the death scenes; these aren't easy to pull off anyway - and a cemetary set that looked too much like a set. These are smaller quibbles though. The Omen can now be called horror classic. Give it a 7/10.
Director Richard Donner uses David Seltzer's story with good buildup. Right from the beginning we know the sinister is at hand with strange interations at the initial birth/events. And Certainly most memorable are the employment of photographs in the movie - wont completely give away but this was the 1st movie I'd seen using this novel idea. However there are a few poorly handled scenes, in particular some of the death scenes; these aren't easy to pull off anyway - and a cemetary set that looked too much like a set. These are smaller quibbles though. The Omen can now be called horror classic. Give it a 7/10.