May 23, 1980 (United States)
October 2, 1980 (United Kingdom)
The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick and co-written with novelist Diane Johnson. The film is based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name and stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, and Danny Lloyd. The film's central character is Jack Torrance (Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies, with his wife, Wendy Torrance (Duvall), and young son, Danny Torrance (Lloyd). Danny is gifted with psychic abilities named "shining". After a winter storm leaves the Torrances snowbound, Jack's sanity deteriorates due to the influence of the supernatural forces that inhabit the hotel.
Production took place almost exclusively at EMI Elstree Studios, with sets based on real locations. Kubrick often worked with a small crew, which allowed him to do many takes, sometimes to the exhaustion of the actors and staff. The new Steadicam mount was used to shoot several scenes, giving the film an innovative and immersive look and feel. There has been much speculation about the meanings and actions in the film because of inconsistencies, ambiguities, symbolism, and differences from the book.
The film was released in the United States on May 23, 1980, and in the United Kingdom on October 2 by Warner Bros. There were several versions for theatrical releases, each of which was cut shorter than the preceding cut; about 27 minutes was cut in total. Reactions to the film at the time of its release were mixed; Stephen King criticized the film due to its deviations from the novel. The film received two controversial nominations at the Razzies—Worst Director and Worst Actress (for Duvall)—the latter of which was later rescinded due to Kubrick's treatment of Duvall on set. Critical response to the film has since become more favorable.
In 2012, The Shining was ranked the 75th greatest film of all time in the Sight & Sound directors' poll. In 2018, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Thirty-nine years after the original film, a sequel, Doctor Sleep, was released on November 8, 2019.
Storyline
Jack and his family move into an isolated hotel with a violent past. Living in isolation, Jack begins to lose his sanity, which affects his family members.
Also See
- Doctor Sleep (2019)
- The Shining (Miniseries)
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Futzed Belltype Tele PE172101
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - NECK, CRACKING (Debut; the 4th take or a very similar sound is heard once when Wendy stabs Jack's hand as he tries to open the bathroom door.)
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, SQUEAK - SEVERAL RUBBER SQUEAKS, STRETCH (Heard from the television.)
- Sound Ideas, RICOCHET - CARTOON RICCO 06 (Heard from the television.)
- Sound Ideas, SCI FI - HERCULOIDS: GLEEP WALKING FOOTSTEPS