The Omen (1976)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

Part two of our pairing of films about satanic children covers birth through age five in 1976's horror classic "The Omen!" Written by David Seltzer and directed by the late, great Richard Donner, this is the story of newly-minted American Ambassador to England Robert Thorn (the incredible Gregory Peck) and his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick). The film begins with Katherine's newly-born baby dying and a priest convincing Robert to accept another child, born at the same time, in its place. He accepts, keeps the truth from his wife, and they name the child Damien (Harvey Stephens). At first, all is idyllic but, as the child grows, strange things begin to happen. At Damien's birthday party, his nanny commits suicide in a very vivid and public way after the appearance of a demonic hound. This is followed by the appearance of Mrs. Baylock (Billie Whitelaw),a new nanny neither parent hired, the arrival of Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton of "Dr. Who" fame), a fanatical priest who tries to warn Robert about the truth of his son, and a phone call from photographer Keith Jennings (David Warner) who has photographic evidence of something being not-quite-right. After meeting with monastic priest Carl Bugenhagen (Leo McKern), Robert realizes he must take action. But will he be able to? Will it work? And finally, the geeks and g.i.t. reveal which two totally fabulous musicals make up their next pairing!