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The omen

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Good morning. You are one day closer to the end of the world. You have been warned.

He was born at 6 am on the 6th day of the 6th month. The coming of Armageddon, the site of the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil, as foretold in the book of Revelations, will begin with the birth of the son of Satan - in human form.

Unable to tell his wife Catherine (Lee Remick) the tragic news of their stillborn son, American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) accepts a newborn orphan as his son. Details of the child's birth remain a secret but, as the boy Damien (Harvey Stephens) grows older, it becomes apparent that he is no ordinary child. As mysterious deaths and strange warnings occur, Robert Thorn slowly becomes aware of the hideous evil behind the child's innocent face the significance of the number 666, which brings about the most terrifying of revelations.

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

  • Supernatural thriller Christian Devil Anti-Christ incarnation beast 666

Persons of interest

  • David Warner .... Jennings
  • Billie Whitelaw .... Mrs Baylock
  • Patrick Troughton .... Father Brennan
  • Martin Benson .... Father Spiletto
  • Robert Rietty .... the monk
  • Tommy Duggan .... the priest
  • John Stride .... the psychiatrist
  • Anthony Nicholls .... Doctor Becker
  • Holly Palance .... the young nanny
  • Roy Boyd .... the reporter
  • Freda Dowie .... the nun
  • Sheila Raynor .... Mrs Horton
  • David Seltzer .... Screenwriter
  • Richard Donner .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Intelligence analyst

Field Agent Keith Dehle

Theatrical report

The omen is a "psycho thriller" that follows the birth of the Antichrist and his (there's no way the Antichrist would ever be female, is there?) early years growing up with the family of an American diplomat in England.

Four years later after a frightening incident during the child's birthday party, Thorn is confronted by a seemingly insane priest who warns him of dire consequences if he doesn't accept God into his life. Initially dismissing the ravings of the priest, Thorn gradually realises that something sinister happened at the time of the birth of his child and embarks upon a suspense filled quest to reveal the truth and put an end to the horror that has begun to fill his life. Helped along by a photographer who discovers that his photographs reveal a frightening warning of impending fate, thorn and the photographer return to the place of the child's birth and begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the fate of his real son and the fulfilment of the prophecy regarding the return of the Antichrist from the book of Revelations.

Although it's 25-years-old, don't expect a grainy 70s flick full of bad hair-styles, flared pants and groovy language. The omen is an exception to what was generally the case with films produced an entire generation ago. It was created to the highest standards embodying superb cinematography resulting in a truly visually entertaining film.

While not relying much on "horror", the film maintains a feeling of nervous anticipation through the continual building up of suspense as more is revealed about the birth of the Antichrist. There are nevertheless a few heart-stopping, stomach churning scenes that appear with little warning.

The sets and backdrops of an old English estate, churches, an Italian monastery and ancient graveyard are age-defying and apart from a few scenes showing 70s cars, the film is pretty much timeless.

From the beginning, the haunting soundtrack adds to the suspense and maintains an eerie atmosphere throughout the film. As demonstrated by its age, The omen has proved itself as a cult suspense film and well worth adding to the DVD collection.

Media intelligence (DVD)

  • Documentary: 666: "The omen" revealed
  • Featurette: Curse or coincidence
  • Audio commentary: Richard Donner
  • Interview: Jerry Goldsmith (Composer)
  • Trailer

Media intelligence (VHS)

  • Documentary: 666: "The omen" revealed
  • Featurette: Curse or coincidence
  • Audio commentary: Richard Donner

Media intelligence (DVD - Box set)

  • Disc 1:
    • The omen
  • Disc 2:
    • The omen 2: Damien
    • Audio commentary by producer Harvey Herhard
    • Three trailers
  • Disc 3:
    • Omen 3: the final conflict
    • Audio commentary by director Graham Baker
    • Three trailers

Security censorship classification

MA 15+ (Medium level violence, horror theme)

Surveillance time

111 minutes (1:51 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

DVD retail: 30 May 2001 - Box set

Cinema surveillance images

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