The Omen (1976)

Yesterday afternoon The Younger Son, The Husband and I watched The Omen, the original 1976 film starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner (Babylon 5, Star Trek 5 and 6, Star Trek: TNG, Bob Cratchit in the George C. Scott Christmas Carol), Patrick Troughton (the 2nd Doctor) and Leo McKern (an old favorite of mine, especially from Help!, The Prisoner tv series, The Day the Earth Caught Fire, X the Unknown, and, of course, as Rumpole). I had never seen it before and was struck by how solidly it seemed to be in the predestination camp. There's no possession/exorcism plan here. In this film some people are born to be damned.

trailer:

Did Roger Ebert actually watch the movie? He claims the Leo McKern character dies in a tornado. He gives it 2 1/2 starts. Moria gives it 3 stars. 1000 Misspent Hours says, "This is a very well-made movie, filled with effective performances and packing a few exceptionally powerful scare scenes." DVD Talk says, "It's a classy film with a great cast, some unforgettable visuals and set pieces, and one of the most chilling scores of the last fifty years." Rotten Tomatoes gives it 82%.