A family, led by Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) travels with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) to the remote Overlook Hotel, where he has taken a job as the caretaker during the winter months. With the hotel closed and completely isolated by heavy snowfall, the family settle in for what initially appears to be a quiet few months. However, they soon begin experiencing strange disturbances and quickly become disturbed by the hotel and its sinister past. An infamous psychological horror that takes its time to develop, before eventually building towards a highly enjoyable finale.
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writers: Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name, written by Stephen King in 1977, The Shining was brought to the big screen in June 1980 to widespread acclaim. It must be noted, however, that there was some controversy surrounding the film adaptation compared to the source material, with many regarding the flick as taking a somewhat different approach to several of the characters and a large part of the story. With that said, The Shining received multiple award nominations from several leading and recognised award organisations, specialising in the horror genre.
In terms of strengths, one of the flicks biggest would have to be its eerie atmosphere and overall presentation. The isolated Overlook Hotel provides an excellent setting, with the enormous building surrounded by the beautiful, snow-covered mountains. The picture is also rather easy on the eye, with the filmmakers providing an array of effective camera work across a number of noteworthy sequences. Additionally, the films soundtrack also works particularly well, helping to create an increasingly uncomfortable feel, without relying on more traditional techniques often associated with horror flicks.
With that said, some critics could be forgiven for categorising the flick as a little slow-moving in places, especially considering that a large majority of the one-hundred and forty-six minute runtime is used by the filmmakers to establish the key characters, develop the increasingly unsettling atmosphere and gradually map out the story, before heading into an extremely well-executed conclusion.
In terms of the cast, Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, commanding a large majority of the screentime in the process, while Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd provide key support in their roles as Wendy and Danny, respectively. Elsewhere, the most prominent role outside of the previous three, was handed to Scatman Crothers, who portrayed Hallorann.
All in all, The Shining is an extremely well-made and highly memorable psychological horror that has aged particularly well. The flick contains an effective atmosphere, a noteworthy setting, carefully crafted camera work and solid performances. The Shining may take its time to fully get going, but ultimately, it manages to deliver a highly enjoyable and well-executed conclusion.
“Here’s Johnny!”
Jack Torrance – The Shining
