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A review by richardrbecker
The Omen by David Seltzer
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When I was a kid, The Omen felt like the perfect companion to The Exorcist—two horror films that capitalize on the Christian faith (and criticized by the Catholic Church for several misinterpretations). What I didn't know at the time was David Seltzer was specifically asked to write a script in the vein of the wildly popular The Exorcist. Why would I? I was a kid.
He devised the story after pouring over The Bible (and various interpretations), and 20th Century-Fox was thrilled to see it released on June 6, 1976. In addition to the movie starring Gregory Peck, Seltzer saw The Omen released as a short 272-page book, which was re-released as a 40th anniversary edition in 2016. I missed the release then, but I saw it pop up recently and decided to revisit Robert Thorn and his family as a book instead of the film with dramatically mixed reviews. (I missed out on reading any horror stories aside from my own in October.)
No surprise, the book follows the film with precision, making the real treat for fans of supernatural horror and/or nostalgia being greater insights into all of the supporting roles. In the book, Seltzer fleshes out the caretakers of the Thorn family home, the photographer Jennings, and Father Brennon (among others). In doing so, Seltzer breathes even more life into the story.
Overall, The Omen is a fun read that does a solid job of creating an atmosphere of faith-fueled supernatural suspense. And while he makes Jennings even more a repulsive cretin than David Warner's take on the screen, the rest of the characters feel more real than their camera time, with Father Brennon better understood and Katherine Thorn's motivations much more apparent. The end result is a quick read that feels like the second chapter of classic horror cinema (between creature features and slasher films).
The only real shortcomings, if it's even fair to call them out, are twofold. First, the book (like the film) is pure entertainment. There isn't much more to take away from it. And second, while many of the scenes in the book play out better than the film, nothing beats the baboon scene in the movie. According to Director Richard Donner, actress Lee Remick was terrified. I don't doubt it.
He devised the story after pouring over The Bible (and various interpretations), and 20th Century-Fox was thrilled to see it released on June 6, 1976. In addition to the movie starring Gregory Peck, Seltzer saw The Omen released as a short 272-page book, which was re-released as a 40th anniversary edition in 2016. I missed the release then, but I saw it pop up recently and decided to revisit Robert Thorn and his family as a book instead of the film with dramatically mixed reviews. (I missed out on reading any horror stories aside from my own in October.)
No surprise, the book follows the film with precision, making the real treat for fans of supernatural horror and/or nostalgia being greater insights into all of the supporting roles. In the book, Seltzer fleshes out the caretakers of the Thorn family home, the photographer Jennings, and Father Brennon (among others). In doing so, Seltzer breathes even more life into the story.
Overall, The Omen is a fun read that does a solid job of creating an atmosphere of faith-fueled supernatural suspense. And while he makes Jennings even more a repulsive cretin than David Warner's take on the screen, the rest of the characters feel more real than their camera time, with Father Brennon better understood and Katherine Thorn's motivations much more apparent. The end result is a quick read that feels like the second chapter of classic horror cinema (between creature features and slasher films).
The only real shortcomings, if it's even fair to call them out, are twofold. First, the book (like the film) is pure entertainment. There isn't much more to take away from it. And second, while many of the scenes in the book play out better than the film, nothing beats the baboon scene in the movie. According to Director Richard Donner, actress Lee Remick was terrified. I don't doubt it.