One of Hollywood’s most famous horror films has an unlikely connection to Harrow – with scenes from The Omen filmed inside Northwick Park Hospital 50 years ago.
Released in 1976, The Omen starred Gregory Peck as American diplomat Robert Thorn, who gradually discovers that his adopted son Damien may be the Antichrist.
Parts of the film were shot in and around London, including at Northwick Park Hospital, where the arrival of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars apparently caused quite a stir among patients.
According to an account from the hospital, Gregory Peck was filming scenes on the upper floors when nearby James Ward saw “an unprecedented recovery rate among its patients as ladies in a supposedly delicate state leapt from their beds and ran upstairs hoping for a look at Gregory Peck.”
Hospital chaplain John Bishop also unexpectedly found himself getting close to the action.
He reportedly stepped off the hospital’s paternoster lift and straight into a scene being filmed in the adjoining corridor – prompting an immediate cry of: “Cut!”
The Omen became one of 1976’s biggest films
Directed by Richard Donner, who would later direct Superman and Lethal Weapon, The Omen became a major box-office success.
The film was one of the highest-grossing movies of 1976 and took around $60 million at the US box office – an impressive return for a film made on a comparatively modest budget.
Alongside Gregory Peck, the cast included Lee Remick, David Warner, Billie Whitelaw and Harvey Spencer Stephens as Damien.
The film’s sinister score, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, became almost as famous as the movie itself and won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Critical reaction was considerably more mixed. Among the descriptions aimed at the film were “dreadfully silly film,” “a piece of junk,” and one verdict claiming it “offers more laughs than the average comedy.”
Audiences clearly disagreed.
Its success led to three further films in the original series – Damien: Omen II in 1978, Omen III: The Final Conflict in 1981 and Omen IV: The Awakening in 1991.
A remake starring Liev Schreiber was released in 2006, while the franchise returned again in 2024 with the prequel The First Omen.
The so-called ‘curse’ of The Omen
Over the decades, The Omen also developed a reputation as one of Hollywood’s supposedly “cursed” productions following a series of extraordinary incidents connected with people involved in making the film.
Among the stories associated with the production were aircraft carrying members of the crew being struck by lightning, director Richard Donner’s hotel being bombed by the IRA, and an animal trainer being attacked by Rottweilers.
One of the most disturbing incidents happened after filming when special effects artist John Richardson, who worked on the film’s gruesome death sequences, was involved in a serious car crash in the Netherlands. His passenger was killed.
Members of the production were also reportedly due to take a flight which they ultimately missed. The aircraft later crashed, killing everyone on board.
The string of coincidences helped build the mythology surrounding the film and has remained part of The Omen’s story for decades.
Harrow’s links with the big screen
The Omen is believed to have been the only horror movie filmed at Northwick Park Hospital, although neighbouring Central Middlesex Hospital later appeared in another hugely influential British horror film.
Scenes for Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy, were filmed at Central Middlesex for the 2002 post-apocalyptic movie.
Harrow itself has also appeared on screen numerous times over the years.
Harrow School has been used as a filming location for major productions, while the borough’s streets, historic buildings and distinctive architecture have appeared in films and television programmes.
NOW READ:
How legendary actor Vincent Price left a chilling impression on Harrow Weald in 1969
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
