One cannot think of horror and not bring up Richard Donner’s The Omen. A film made during the turbulent late 1970’s when the world was literally on the brink of ripping itself apart. The Omen was a film that told the tale of the birth of the Anti-Christ which would herald the coming of the Apocalypse. Outside of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist there wasn’t a film during this era which put the fear of God’s Judgment on the faithful than The Omen.
It helped that it’s own film score was determined to hammer the point of it’s blasphemous subject matter by taking one of the most holy rituals in Roman Catholicism and inverting it to praise Satan instead of the Virgin Mary. Jerry Goldsmith took the rite of consecration and came up with what one could call the rite of desecration for a purported Black Mass.
One must say that “Ave Satani” was all the creation of Jerry Goldsmith and a fellow choir-master in London. This was a work of art created to accompany a film that some would label art as well, but for some whose own faith has superseded all thoughts of art appreciation “Ave Satani” was very real and was a real danger to one’s eternal soul.
I will say that it’s an effective use of the Gregorian chant and more than just a tad hair-raising.
Ave Satani
Sanguis bibimus
Corpus edibus
Sanguis bibimus
Corpus edibus
Sanguis bibimus
Corpus edibus
Rolle corpus Satani, ave
Sanguis bibimus
Corpus edibus
Rolle corpus Satani, ave
Ave, ave, versus Christus
Ave, ave, versus Christus
Ave, ave, versus Christus
Ave Satani
Sanguis bibimus
Corpus edibus
Rolle corpus Satani,
Satani, Satani
Ave, ave, Satani
Through the Shattered Lens 
That is some intense music. It definitely contributed to the scary and disturbing effect of the film.
I heard a bit of an interview with David Seltzer, the writer of both the screenplay for the film, and the accompanying novel. He indicated he had no belief in any of the religious stuff that comprises the story. I find it interesting that he was able to so effectively push the buttons of the pious. I think it is safe to say he creeped out more than a few non-believers, as well.
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