The Omen III: The Final Conflict – Classic Horror Film Review

Director: Graham Baker

Production Company: Mace Neufield Productions (distributed by Paramount)

Country: USA

Year: 1981

In preparation for the upcoming release of The First Omen, starring Bill Nighy amongst others (how they roped him into it I’ve no idea), I thought I’d catch up with the films in the franchise I hadn’t seen (aka, all except 1 and 2). The Omen III: The Final Conflict completes a trilogy of sorts, with Damien Thorn, also known as the antichrist, having now taken over the Thorn company. This time it’s a young Sam Neill taking on the reins of the almighty evil, trying to work his way to political power in England and simultaneously fend off a group of assassins intent on taking him down with holy relics designed to kill the son of Satan. Added to his troubles, the Christ child may or may not also have been born, ready to defend the world from Damien’s evil.

It’s the third film in a franchise spinning off an Oscar-winning original, so one would think that it is starting to show, with the rights holders simply trying to cash in as much as they could. Considering the novelisation of the first film has had several sequels, its all the proof one needs that Omen is a hot property. Thankfully, this film isn’t the worst sequel of a well-received horror film that has ever been created. It certainly isn’t as artistic as the first, but it’s got moments to it that show the creators were at least trying to maintain some of the sinister atmosphere and political underpinnings that were established in the previous entries. It doesn’t always work, but it’s a valiant attempt.

Damien Thorn (Sam Neill) examines one of the only weapons that could kill him.

Sam Neill as Damien does a remarkably good job at being both charming and, well, satanic. Easily the shining light of the film, every scene he’s in brings new life to the picture. The same can’t be said of the rest of the cast, who are acceptable at best, and in the case of some of the pursuing guardians of light and peace (aka cannon fodder), sometimes laughable. They’re just sort of there, filling in the blanks as the plot needs them to.

There are one or two fairly nice moments, with a swinging, burning corpse on a TV show which provides a horrific image for the memory banks. An additional small moment of Damien taking a few moments to rescue Kate Reynolds (Lisa Harrow) from drowning shows a really nice, subtle and silent display of power. He has everything in control, and has the power of life and death at his choosing. It’s simple and visual and a lovely touch, proof that the power of the inherent idea hasn’t totally washed off in the baptism.

Unfortunately most of the rest is bland and routine. There’s a slasher-like feel of assailants getting offed every so often, even more-so than the first few films. The ‘Final Conflict’ of the title doesn’t feel as climactic as it should do, and the whole thing wraps up far too quickly and simplistically to grab the attention of anyone. Still, it isn’t the worst film in existence, and certainly a far more polished attempt at a sequel than one could hope for. The attempt to half-heartedly round off this loose trilogy isn’t without its flaws, but also isn’t utterly without its charms.

Rating: 5/10

Review by Kieran Judge

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