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The Omen

year 1976decade 70sdirector Richard Donnergenre Horrorgenre Fantasy
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 35 categories

The film

The Omen (1976)

Directed by Richard Donner · Horror

111 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Gregory Peck Robert Thorn
Lee Remick Katherine Thorn
David Warner Keith Jennings
Billie Whitelaw Mrs. Baylock
Patrick Troughton Father Brennan
Martin Benson Father Spiletto
Leo McKern Carl Bugenhagen (uncredited)
Tommy Duggan Priest
John Stride The Psychiatrist
Anthony Nicholls Dr. Fred Becker
Roy Boyd Reporter
Sheila Raynor Mrs. Ingrid Horton
Bruce Boa Thorn Aide 1
Don Fellows Thorn Aide 2
Patrick McAlinney Photographer
Betty McDowall American secretary
Nicholas Campbell embassy guard Marine Corporal

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

22:48

Most Rewatchable Scene

The fifth birthday party and nanny death

The fifth birthday party and nanny death

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:22:48Read transcript
  • Damien’s fifth birthday party and the nanny hanging are nominated; the thick window glass makes the death particularly unsettling. — Bill Simmons
  • The nanny’s possessiveness and the parents’ return to ordinary life after the death invite questions. — Chris Ryan
  • The red-eyed priest’s visit to Peck’s office is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The argument with the nanny and Damien’s terrified approach to the church are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The Windsor Safari scene is nominated; the animals’ fear suggests an unheard threat. — Bill Simmons
  • The new nanny arriving without being requested is recalled as another effective early scene. — Bill Simmons
  • The priest’s death in the storm is praised for its photography and use of London. — Bill Simmons
  • Damien knocking his mother over the railing and the cemetery discovery with attacking Rottweilers are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The nanny killing the mother and the graphic decapitation are nominated. — Chris Ryan
  • Peck fighting the nanny, checking Damien’s scalp, trapping the dog, and the church climax are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • One choice narrows from the nanny and Brennan deaths to the fifth birthday party. — Chris Ryan
  • The second choice is also the birthday party, with special praise for the church refusal scene. — Bill Simmons
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28:16

Apex Mountain

Jackals are called an unquestioned Apex Mountain candidate.

Jackals are called an unquestioned Apex Mountain candidate.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:16Read transcript
  • Jackals are called an unquestioned Apex Mountain candidate. — Bill Simmons
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28:50

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The stairwell shot connecting the mother and nanny across the white banister

The stairwell shot connecting the mother and nanny across the white banister

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:50Read transcript
  • The stairwell shot connecting the mother and nanny across the white banister is nominated. — Bill Simmons
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40:16

What’s Aged the Best?

Opening at 6 a.m. on June 6 immediately signals the devil.

Opening at 6 a.m. on June 6 immediately signals the devil.

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:16Read transcript
  • Opening at 6 a.m. on June 6 immediately signals the devil. — Chris Ryan
  • Animals sensing danger, the mother’s white veil, efficient filmmaking, and creepy music hold up. — Chris Ryan
  • The child actor is praised for an effective face and sparing use, compared with Jaws; casting reportedly involved testing children’s angry reactions. — Bill Simmons
  • 1970s London and Lee Remick’s screen presence are praised. — Bill Simmons
  • Photo foreshadowing and the nanny telling Damien she is there to protect him remain creepy. — Bill Simmons
  • Religious shrines, diaries, and priests losing senses from trauma are effective horror devices. — Bill Simmons
  • The Omen is credited with popularizing 666, compared with Friday the 13th making its superstition more prominent. — Bill Simmons
  • The casting of both Damiens is praised. — Bill Simmons
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47:38

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Tracking and crane shots around Brennan in the windy park

Tracking and crane shots around Brennan in the windy park

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:38Read transcript
  • Tracking and crane shots around Brennan in the windy park are praised. — Chris Ryan
  • The last cemetery shot of the dogs behind the gate with the moon and the deep-focus compositions are praised. — Chris Ryan
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48:48

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The parents allow the dog to stay despite instructions and repeated fireable offenses, and accept that the other hous...

The parents allow the dog to stay despite instructions and repeated fireable offenses, and accept that the other household staff have left.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:48Read transcript
  • The parents allow the dog to stay despite instructions and repeated fireable offenses, and accept that the other household staff have left. — Bill Simmons
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51:02

What’s Aged the Worst?

Gregory Peck’s original impact casting is harder to appreciate today; Tom Hanks is offered as an analogy.

Gregory Peck’s original impact casting is harder to appreciate today; Tom Hanks is offered as an analogy.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:02Read transcript
  • Gregory Peck’s original impact casting is harder to appreciate today; Tom Hanks is offered as an analogy. — Bill Simmons
  • Peck’s Happy Birthday singing sounds unnatural. — Chris Ryan
  • Physical reference letters are easy to fake. — Chris Ryan
  • Lack of child seatbelts and the mother’s fall effects look dated; Remick reportedly refused the railing stunt after Ellen Burstyn’s injury. — Chris Ryan
  • The mark of the beast reportedly confused original audiences. — Chris Ryan
  • The novelization explains Brennan and Spiletto’s involvement with Satanists; the film leaves the 666 thigh mark insufficiently explained. — Chris Ryan
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53:06

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

No — The Omen

No — The Omen

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:06Read transcript
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54:44

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

A parent might negotiate with the Antichrist child for benefits rather than kill him.

A parent might negotiate with the Antichrist child for benefits rather than kill him.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:44Read transcript
  • A parent might negotiate with the Antichrist child for benefits rather than kill him. — Chris Ryan
  • The property is called underused; a five-season story could follow Damien from childhood through boarding school and politics to a reckoning. — Bill Simmons
  • An objection prefers films to fifty hours of television. — Bill Simmons
  • The proposal allows side plots such as House of Cards; the response emphasizes how dark the original films were willing to be. — Chris Ryan
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59:44

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Father Brennan, the red-eyed priest

Father Brennan, the red-eyed priest

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:44Read transcript
  • Father Brennan, the red-eyed priest, is selected. — Bill Simmons
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59:57

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Split: the first nanny; the actor transcribed as Leo McCurran playing Boogan Hogan

Split: the first nanny; the actor transcribed as Leo McCurran playing Boogan Hogan

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:57Read transcript
  • The first nanny is one choice; Baylock is considered too present, and the actor transcribed as Leo McCurran playing Boogan Hogan is the other choice. — Chris Ryan
  • David Warner is praised but considered too prominent in the second half to qualify. — Bill Simmons
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1:00:15

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

David Warner

David Warner

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:15Read transcript
  • David Warner is selected, with a discussion of becoming recognizable by name and later as the man from Titanic. — Bill Simmons
  • Don Fellows, the office colleague, is an alternative, identified with a government role in Raiders. — Bill Simmons
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1:04:30

Apex Mountain

No affirmative selection

No affirmative selection

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:30Read transcript
  • Gregory Peck is rejected; Lee Remick remains uncertain despite the film’s success. — Bill Simmons
  • Rosemary’s Baby is preferred for the Antichrist, and The Shining for creepy tricycle-riding children. — Bill Simmons
  • Rottweilers and jackals are considered; the film transcribed as Hand That Rocks the Crater is preferred for evil nannies. — Bill Simmons
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1:10:24

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Baylock’s earlier life and involvement with the coven could support a prequel.

Baylock’s earlier life and involvement with the coven could support a prequel.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:24Read transcript
  • Baylock’s earlier life and involvement with the coven could support a prequel. — Chris Ryan
  • Prestige TV is the selected format. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:21

Is This Movie Better With…?

Samuel Jackson in the David Warner role would give the situation an incredulous reaction.

Samuel Jackson in the David Warner role would give the situation an incredulous reaction.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:21Read transcript
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1:12:01

Just One Oscar

Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:01Read transcript
  • Jerry Goldsmith is the agreed choice, with acknowledgement that he actually won. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:26

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

One participant refuses all memorabilia because of the cursed production; the other chooses the seven daggers for pre...

One participant refuses all memorabilia because of the cursed production; the other chooses the seven daggers for preparedness.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:26Read transcript
  • One participant refuses all memorabilia because of the cursed production; the other chooses the seven daggers for preparedness. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:40

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Do not secretly replace a baby who has died; also check the child’s scalp.

Do not secretly replace a baby who has died; also check the child’s scalp.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:40Read transcript
  • Do not secretly replace a baby who has died; also check the child’s scalp. — Bill Simmons
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1:17:05

Who Won the Movie?

No consensus: Gregory Peck; tentatively Harvey Spencer Stephens

No consensus: Gregory Peck; tentatively Harvey Spencer Stephens

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:05Read transcript
Podcast choices
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