The Omen

The relationship between literature and film is a complex one. In this case, an 'invention' of cinema marketing was the 'novelisation' of a script to be released just before or during (or after if the success of the film was a surprise) a cinematic release.

David Seltzer, who created the script for the cult horror classic 'The Omen' (1976), produced this somewhat pot boiler of a novel to meet an immediate need. It is faithful to the film to the extent that memory of the film often overwhelms the text.

As an aide memoire to the cinematic experience, it works and it reads quite well but it adds nothing important to the original and it introduces flaws. The author clearly felt more material was necessary to explain things that moviegoers show more might care less about because the experience is different.

Unfortunately, Seltzer clearly knew little of London or British life (no policeman would whip out a revolver because he would not have one). His research into apocalypic literature and lore is revealed as shallow rather than intriguing. Its use deadens rather than frightens.

The nonsense of a huge underground city at Megiddo is obvious enough while there are howlers like Italy having a 'southern border'. In attempting to explain the Satanist conspiracy, some of the mystery is stripped away to offer us a more absurd story than we had before.

It is perhaps a competent attempt to take a script and turn it into a readable novel but a best guess is that it was done under pressure to meet a deadline and to please a marketing department. As a result it is less than the film but also less than a considered horror novel should be. Go see the film. show less

The Omen - David Seltzer *****

We have all heard of the film, but until recently I wasn't aware that there was a book. I am unsure which came first, but judging from the quality of the writing I would assume the book.

The plot follows Damien (now a name synonymous with evil) and how he was substituted with the dead child of wealthy and politically high up American family. The son of Satan he must follow in his adopted father’s footsteps to become a political world leader and begin the destruction of mankind. Expect all the thrills of the film and a few scenes that were either not filmed or edited out. At times gruesome, at others philosophical as much of the book of revelations is quoted as it seemingly becomes mirrored in real life. show more The pages just flew by and I'm sure that I will one day revisit this book.

There is a sequel to the book, but I think it is by a different author so I’m not sure how that will stand up to the original. If you have seen the film then definitely read the book. If you have yet to see the film, read the book first. As usual the book is far superior (and with a great film like the Omen, that really is something!) show less

If I hadn't read this was a novelization of the incredibly chilling film starring Gregory Peck, by none other than David Seltzer himself, I would have rated it a bit higher. In a rare case, Seltzer has taken liberties with his own original material to transfer the film to the pages, and as it is, the novel seems like a very good effort.

It provides many interesting details about the past of key characters, especially Catherine, Thorn's wife, and father Tassone (who was father Brennan in the film). Also, the character of Jennings -my own personal favourite in both the film and the novel- the young photographer who helps Thorn solve the riddle concerning the boy Damien, is significantly expanded.

The unfortunate thing is that there are show more some differences in comparison to the film that, in my opinion, are unecessary and take away much of the atmosphere that the film succeeds in creating. I will add no spoilers but I can say that while I definitely enjoyed reading the book, it failed to chill my blood and send shivers down my spine in the way the film did. I have watched the movie twice and will watch it again and again. Do I recommend the novelization? Certainly. Will I read it a second time? I doubt it. show less

This is one of the best horror movies I ever watched. Story of birth of evil, Jesus' antithesis and it's placement into rich and influential family of ambassador Thorn is blood curling and terrifying from the start to the end. So when I came across the novel I had to pick it up.

Depiction of infiltration of evil into human society and protection provided to the creature by various daemons draws parallels to Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. But here it makes more sense because level of placement is very important. Here Damien is placed within a powerful and rich family from the very start. From this high level he is able to continue with his dark tasks.

Book is basically novelization of the movie (author was also scenario writer for the show more movie) and it is one of the better ones, I might even say on the level of Odyssey 2001 novelization.

Pace is fast and there is no padding, every word, every page plays a part in the story. Once you start reading it you wont be able to stop until the very end.

All the major plot elements from the movie are present and expanded. Only difference is that some names are changed (Thorn is named Jeremy here, but in movie his name is Robert if I remember correctly).

Ending must be the most terrifying ending ever, on screen or off screen.

Excellent horror thriller. Highly recommended. show less

Rating this one is tough for me, and I've had a hard time deciding between three stars or four, but ultimately felt like this novel doesn't measure up to other similar ones I've given four stars to, so it's three stars. Which is not to say it's bad. I recall the virtually social craze that swept America when this film came out and I believe, the book actually followed, which is rare. And I recall that when I saw the film at a young age, I was properly creeped out so at that time, I would have given it a higher rating. However, having seen it again a number of times over the years and having read the book, again, while decent, I remain somewhat unimpressed because I think there's a lot of books and stories out there that are far more show more "horrifying" and creepy than this one. Indeed, I suspect one of the seasons for its continuing legacy is simply that it was a product of its time, as in the 1970s were chock full of little but apocalyptic books, shows, films, religions, novels, prophets, etc. If you don't believe me, look up Hal Linsey's The Late Great Planet Earth. See how influential and popular it was back then and how many copies it sold. Then either read it or see the film made from it (or both). I was forced to see that by my fundie parents and it scared the shit out of me much more than The Omen ever did! Which is why I don't think it has held up well or holds up well at all, which ultimately is its greatest weakness. It feels dated and forced, almost like a fraud. Possibly to cash in on the rage and/or fad of that decade. But that's just me; feel free to disagree. It's okay, but not recommended as I think there are far too many better books out there in the genre. show less

Ever since this book & movie came out in the 70s, I’ve heard about how scary it was. I was very disappointed in it now that I’ve finally gotten around to reading it.

American ambassador to England, Jeremy Thorn and his wife Katherine, after a couple of miscarriages, are having a baby. But when Thorn gets to the hospital, the priest in charge tells him the baby has died. But a mother with no next of kin has just died giving birth. The baby is healthy and has no one to take it. Will Thorn adopt the baby, pretending it’s his own, lying even to his psychologically fragile wife? Yes, yes he will. He never even sees the body of his own baby.

Four years later, bad things start happening around Damian. The nanny commits suicide at his show more fourth birthday party. A new nanny appears the next day out of the blue, without anyone calling the agency. Katherine begins to get neurotic as the boy gets closer to the nanny and withdrawing from her. A priest follows Thorn, babbling strange warnings. A paparazzo who follows Thorn finds ghostly images in the photos he takes; on the nanny before her dramatic suicide, on the priest who follows Thorn. Animals fear Damian, except for a mysterious black dog that keeps getting into the house. Churches induce a hysterical fear in him. What is the child? Is he the antichrist?

Sadly, the book didn’t induce even mild fear in me. I think the problem is that you have to believe in Satan to be scared by this book, and I don’t. So while I felt tension, waiting to see who lived and who died, it couldn’t really creep me out. The book has flaws, too. The characters are two dimensional; no one is really likable. There is no depth to the story. I think the problem may be that Seltzer was also the screenwriter, and I think the screenplay may have come before the novel. In a movie, things aren’t described for us. The actor’s facial expressions, the set designers, the lighting person, all add the depth missing from the printed word in the screenplay. I think it didn’t occur to Seltzer to add these cues for the novel reader.

Meh. show less

This is a fast read, and clearly written with an eye toward film because it is just that quick, but not badly written. I usually avoid books written off of movies because I don't expect much from the writing, but for what it was, this was well done and entertaining. I would have liked a bit more depth and a slower wrap-up, but it was a nice quick horror to pass some time with. I'm sure there's no surprise here if you've seen the movie (which I haven't), but if you're more a fan of written horror, don't give this an automatic pass just because of its connection to the movie.