Hugely Underrated Classic

Yeah, I don´t think it´s actually inferior to its obvious cinematic sibling from that era, The Omen. In fact, it strikes me as more thoughtful and intriguing - and definitely more low-key - than Richard Donner´s over-the-top opus. It does, however, suffer from rather spotty and uneven direction, especially early on, when the flashbacks (and flashbacks within flashbacks) are somewhat crudely and jarringly orchestrated (there are also some really bizarre directorial choices, like superimposing a hologram-like image of Richard Burton´s face over the scene where Ventura and Remick are conversing). The often overly flamboyant and eccentric soundtrack is another issue as it tends to go against the more subdued mood the film otherwise has. But, yeah, as a whole, it´s certainly an entertaining number that isn´t nearly as silly as most films of this sort turn out to be. Good acting, too, with Burton doing a job that´s commanding enough to lend the enterprise some true gravity and help maintain the illusion of seriousness amidst the absurd shenanigans.



"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan