Originally released in the United States on May 23, 1980, The Shining is a British-American psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s critically acclaimed novel The Shining published in 1977. At first, the film received mixed reviews but later became known as one of the greatest horror films ever made.
The film takes place in the Overlook Hotel, a grand Colorado resort famous for its illustrious ballrooms, pleasant lounges, and beautiful mountain views. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a middle aged man with an alcohol problem, hopes to jumpstart his career as a writer. Hired as the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, Jack views the job as an opportunity to focus on his writing. He and his family, including his wife Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall), and young son Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd), spend the winter in the hotel. Danny discovers that he possesses a psychic ability known in the story as “the shining.” This ability allows him to communicate with the hotel and its gruesome past. As the Colorado winter buries the family in snow, what appeared as an opportunity quickly transforms into a nightmare. The unbearable symptoms of cabin fever and the Overlooks paranormal residents weigh down upon the family. A quiet winter quickly turns into a season of survival. Jack Torrance becomes the hotel’s advocate while Wendy and Danny fight for their lives.
Stanley Kubrick does a commendable job recreating this story in film. While aspects of it do not hold true to the novel, Kubrick creates a rich, stand-alone masterpiece. From the start of the film, the plot builds progressively until the very end. Kubrick creates horrifying scenes with nothing more than the four walls of the hotel. Unexplained occurrences and frightening imagery leave the viewer distressed, while the heart-stopping conclusion begs you not to watch any further. What makes this movie successful is its ability to frighten using unorthodox tactics; there are no serious jump scares nor C.G.I. Instead, Kubrick corrupts your imagination, creating prolonged periods of discomfort. We are left at the end disturbed, yearning to know more. Looking beyond the horror, Stanley Kubrick creates a suspenseful and engrossing film. He precisely illustrates the dynamics and internal relationships between the characters. As the movie progresses, one cannot help but feel remorse for submissive characters and hatred towards dominant ones. Kubrick places the viewer in the film; while watching, one cannot help feel they play a significant role in the story's development. A neutral color scheme emphasizes the hotel’s primitive nature while exaggerated camera angles create a sense of urgency and fear. The film’s music score along with layers of eerie sound enrich the hotel’s mysterious and disturbing persona. Stanley Kubrick uses a variety of technical skills to push the boundaries of horror and create a beautifully suspenseful piece of cinema.
To this day, not many horror films can compete with The Shining. Kubrick’s expertise is constantly referenced by modern film makers. The Shining will stick with you, sparking questions about life’s supernatural elements and mankind’s capacity for evil. This film appeals to horror fans and those looking for an exciting film. Kubrick has created many other commendable films such as A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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| Photo credit: Justin Masterson via Foter.com / CC BY-NC |
Stanley Kubrick does a commendable job recreating this story in film. While aspects of it do not hold true to the novel, Kubrick creates a rich, stand-alone masterpiece. From the start of the film, the plot builds progressively until the very end. Kubrick creates horrifying scenes with nothing more than the four walls of the hotel. Unexplained occurrences and frightening imagery leave the viewer distressed, while the heart-stopping conclusion begs you not to watch any further. What makes this movie successful is its ability to frighten using unorthodox tactics; there are no serious jump scares nor C.G.I. Instead, Kubrick corrupts your imagination, creating prolonged periods of discomfort. We are left at the end disturbed, yearning to know more. Looking beyond the horror, Stanley Kubrick creates a suspenseful and engrossing film. He precisely illustrates the dynamics and internal relationships between the characters. As the movie progresses, one cannot help but feel remorse for submissive characters and hatred towards dominant ones. Kubrick places the viewer in the film; while watching, one cannot help feel they play a significant role in the story's development. A neutral color scheme emphasizes the hotel’s primitive nature while exaggerated camera angles create a sense of urgency and fear. The film’s music score along with layers of eerie sound enrich the hotel’s mysterious and disturbing persona. Stanley Kubrick uses a variety of technical skills to push the boundaries of horror and create a beautifully suspenseful piece of cinema.
To this day, not many horror films can compete with The Shining. Kubrick’s expertise is constantly referenced by modern film makers. The Shining will stick with you, sparking questions about life’s supernatural elements and mankind’s capacity for evil. This film appeals to horror fans and those looking for an exciting film. Kubrick has created many other commendable films such as A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.