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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.

15:57

Half-Assed Internet Research

Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch persona lends seriousness to the horror premise.

Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch persona lends seriousness to the horror premise.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:15:57Read transcript
  • Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch persona lends seriousness to the horror premise. — Bill Simmons
  • Richard Donner’s run is traced from The Omen through Superman and the Lethal Weapon films. — Bill Simmons
  • The cinematographer is corrected from the mistaken Don Gilbert to Gilbert Taylor. — Bill Simmons
  • The film is reported to have won Jerry Goldsmith his only Oscar, for original score. — Bill Simmons
  • A $2.8 million budget and $61 million gross are reported; the small-budget success is compared with Blumhouse. — Chris Ryan
  • The baboons reportedly attacked after the alpha baboon was put in the car, following failed attempts using food and a baby baboon. — Bill Simmons
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21:21

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:21Read transcript
  • Ebert gave the film two and a half stars and emphasized its solemn approach. — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts speculate that Ebert found the movie too serious or insufficiently story-driven. — Bill Simmons
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58:09

Casting What-Ifs

Oliver Reed and William Holden were possibilities; Charlton Heston reportedly received an offer.

Oliver Reed and William Holden were possibilities; Charlton Heston reportedly received an offer.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:09Read transcript
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1:01:03

Recasting Couch

A 2023 version could cast Taylor Swift as the ambassador and the football player transcribed as Travis Kelsey in the ...

A 2023 version could cast Taylor Swift as the ambassador and the football player transcribed as Travis Kelsey in the Lee Remick role.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:03Read transcript
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1:01:38

Half-Assed Internet Research

An advertising executive’s reaction to The Late Great Planet Earth reportedly led to David Seltzer’s screenplay.

An advertising executive’s reaction to The Late Great Planet Earth reportedly led to David Seltzer’s screenplay.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:38Read transcript
  • An advertising executive’s reaction to The Late Great Planet Earth reportedly led to David Seltzer’s screenplay. — Bill Simmons
  • Billy Whitelaw’s work with Samuel Beckett is discussed; Donner reportedly worried her obvious menace undermined ambiguity. — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts recount a supposedly cursed production: a hotel bombing, a canceled flight that crashed, lightning striking a plane, and a special-effects worker’s car accident. — Chris Ryan
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1:07:42

Picking Nits

Damien shows no earlier toddler evil before his fifth birthday; gradual maturation is offered as an explanation.

Damien shows no earlier toddler evil before his fifth birthday; gradual maturation is offered as an explanation.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:42Read transcript
  • Damien shows no earlier toddler evil before his fifth birthday; gradual maturation is offered as an explanation. — Bill Simmons
  • Mrs. Baylock’s interview and references receive insufficient scrutiny. — Bill Simmons
  • Peck rapidly recovers from a rusty cemetery spike through his shoulder despite the expected damage and infection. — Bill Simmons
  • The name Damien seems unusually sinister; ordinary alternatives would not have the same impact. — Bill Simmons
  • Brennan should explain the danger plainly instead of using biblical riddles and poems. — Chris Ryan
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1:12:25

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Would the mother instinctively recognize that the replacement baby was not hers?

Would the mother instinctively recognize that the replacement baby was not hers?

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:25Read transcript
  • Would the mother instinctively recognize that the replacement baby was not hers? — Bill Simmons
  • Spiletto’s killing and baby substitution make him a candidate for the most evil person in the film. — Bill Simmons
  • How does a jackal become pregnant with the Antichrist, and where would they find one? — Bill Simmons
  • Where did Mrs. Baylock come from? — Bill Simmons
  • Is the film about abortion? The hosts discuss Roe v. Wade timing, the father opposing abortion, and whether the mother was meant to have a child. — Bill Simmons
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1:14:45

Best Double Feature

Omen 2.
The Omen
Omen 2
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:45Read transcript
  • Omen 2 is selected for several strong scenes, its creepy teenage Damien and twist, despite being inferior to the first film. — Chris Ryan
  • The sequel repeats the first film with the uncle; Seltzer’s proposed sequel placing Damien with the president is considered a missed opportunity. — Chris Ryan
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1:18:05

Producer review

The producer prefers older horror’s message and filmmaking to modern shock horror, and praises the music.

The producer prefers older horror’s message and filmmaking to modern shock horror, and praises the music.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:05Read transcript
  • The producer prefers older horror’s message and filmmaking to modern shock horror, and praises the music. — Chris Ryan
  • The nanny hanging is the scariest scene; Damien’s Angus Young-like clothes are also praised. — Chris Ryan
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