The Chosen

Italian filmmakers in the seventies weren't exactly slow when it came to ripping off successful films, and indeed it didn't take long for Alberto De Martino to deliver this obvious Omen rip-off just one year after the release of Richard Donner's successful film in 1976. The title suggests that the film will put something of a modern spin on the story, and indeed it has as in this tale of the Antichrist living among us humans, there is a nuclear power station at the centre. Kirk Douglas plays Robert Caine, an executive in charge of a Middle Eastern nuclear power plant. One of his main backers is his son, Angelo, but Angelo's reasons for wanting the power plant built are far more sinister than anything Robert would have expected. After a series of events, it becomes apparent to Robert that his son doesn't want the plant built to benefit mankind. In fact, he is the son of the Devil and his reasons for wanting the nuclear power plant completed is so he can carry out the Devil's work and use the plant to destroy all of mankind!

It has to be said that this really isn't a good film. It rips off The Omen so much it's almost painful, and the rest of the movie is a complete mess. However, I can't completely condemn this movie as aside from the numerous plot issues, it's a lot of fun to watch and there always plenty of stuff going on. The Omen became infamous for its gory and inventive death scenes, and while the ones here may not be all that inventive - they're plenty gory and serve in adding to the fun. The only big actor in the film is Kirk Douglas. This can hardly be considered the classic actor's best work (not that I'm a big fan of most of his stuff), but somehow he manages to stay fairly credible despite the fact that the dialogue in this film is choppy at best, and it cant be easy to act well when you're working with actors that are less than brilliant. There's not a lot in this movie that will make you think, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It all boils down to the sort of conclusion you can expect, but it's good fun getting there and overall I'd give this Omen rip off a thumbs up.

great film. about the apocalypse and done very well, bringing the apocalypse into reality before your eyes. Kirk Douglas took on a different role for this film and one that works. the apocalypse was firmly & skilfully brought into the twentieth century in this film and it was so realistic it was frightening. saw this film some years ago and wanted it ever since but cannot get hold of it. it was on TV in 1992 or 1993 and i missed it but a friend of mine down the street came knocking on my door in early hours as she was terrified having just watched it that night! i am not a person who cares for 'horror' films and this is far from being one of those. it sure is scary but that's because it is based on things that could be so real.don't knock it! watch it. also, if anyone can tell me how i can get this film on video or DVD i would be very grateful, but it doesn't seem to be available according to HMV stores.

In THE CHOSEN (aka: HOLOCAUST 2000), the religious / supernatural horror begins right away. While clinching a big nuclear power plant deal, Robert Caine (Kirk Douglas) meets a mysterious photographer (Agostina Belli), who tells him of an ancient prophecy. Soon thereafter, Caine encounters tragedy, and is thrown into a nightmare world of apocalyptic proportions.

Spawned from the success of such films as ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, and THE OMEN, THE CHOSEN is one among many derivative movies in the ensuing craze. However, it does have one major asset in Mr. Douglas, who never disappoints his audience. His character is believable in the most unbelievable situations. Even when he's running naked in a devil dream!

In addition, the plot is just novel enough to make it stand out from the other films of its ilk. There's also an atmosphere of impending doom that builds nicely as things unfold, in spite of the hokey "Satan's child" stuff. This whole idea was old, even in 1977.

All in all, a watchable entry in its subgenre...

The Chosen is an Italian/British co production and is a cheap knockoff and cash in of the success of The Omen. While this can't touch the Richard Donner directed classic, it is not too shabby and is a pretty decent B movie. This plays a bit less like a horror movie and more like a thriller and is devoid of the scares and dark atmosphere that The Omen had. Kirk Douglas is the best thing about this movie and brings a tremendous performance. The film itself, is pretty solid, looks good and the plot is a mix of the strange circumstances and supernatural storyline of The Omen and the cold war nuclear paranoia of the post WW2 era. This low budget apocalpse story is decent and is good to pass the time.

From the director of "Pumaman" and "Dirty Heroes" comes another ripoff film, this time a knockoff of "The Omen," complete with Hollywood golden age star Kirk Douglas having to face down the anti-Christ. Douglas plays an energy executive about to build a nuclear power plant in the middle east when he begins to suspect his son is actually the son of Satan and might use the nuke plants to wipe out humankind. Douglas brings sincerity to a ridiculous film and a fine score by Ennio Morricone make this dull and derivative horror film watchable, but certainly don't go out of your way to watch this one.