Heeere's Johnny! And with those infamous words begins one of the scariest (and longest) games of hide and seek ever filmed.
Even though Stephen King may not have liked it, Stanley Kubrick's version of
The Shining is the definitive adaptation of King's horror masterpiece.
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) is a writer who is afflicted with the worst disease a writer could have --
writer's block. Since he needs a job (he's certainly not making any money from the writing he's
not doing) he decides that spending the winter as the caretaker of a huge empty hotel is just what he needs to finish his "masterpiece" novel. Of course, spending the winter in a desolate, empty hotel is probably not the best idea for an alcoholic, unemployed writer with writer's block.
After getting the job as caretaker, Jack takes his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and his son Danny (Danny Lloyd) and heads for his winter away at the Overlook Hotel. At first, everything seems normal. Then we meet head chef Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers). This is where we learn that Danny can "shine" -- basically, he has some form of ESP and so does Dick Hallorann. Dick also tells Danny that not only can people shine, but so can other objects -- like the Overlook Hotel.
From this point on, Jack is driven into a downward spiral towards complete insanity by both Danny and The Overlook, inevitably leading up to the infamous game of hide and seek.
Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd are all perfectly cast as the Torrance family. Nicholson brings just the right combination of campiness and over the top delivery to his role, while Duvall and Lloyd are pefect as his fearful prey. They both help to visually convey the fear of being trapped in a haunted hotel with an insane murderer.
Like other Kubrick films, The Shining has a very bright and bleak look to it. Most of the scenes are made up of just a few, high contrast colors that are extremely bright -- such as the orange bathroom scene. It all just feels very bright and white -- as if you are trapped in the snowstorm with the Torrance family.
Without the masterful direction of Stanley Kubrick, The Shining probably would have been just another cheesy horror film. But like all of Kubrick's films, his attention to detail and obsession with perfection help The Shining to stand above the rest as one of the best horror films of all time.
The Shining Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Stanley Kubrick
Writing credits
Stephen King (novel)
Stanley Kubrick (screenplay)
Diane Johnson (screenplay)
Cast (in credits order)
Jack Nicholson .... Jack Torrance
Shelley Duvall .... Wendy Torrance
Danny Lloyd .... Danny Torrance
Scatman Crothers .... Dick Hallorann
Barry Nelson .... Stuart Ullman
Philip Stone .... Delbert Grady
Joe Turkel .... Lloyd, Overlook bartender
Anne Jackson .... Doctor
Tony Burton .... Larry Durkin
Lia Beldam .... Young woman in bath
Billie Gibson .... Old woman in bath
Barry Dennen .... Bill Watson
David Baxt .... Forest Ranger #1
Manning Redwood .... Forest Ranger #2
Lisa Burns .... Grady daughter
Louise Burns .... Grady daughter
Robin Pappas .... Nurse
Alison Coleridge .... Suzie (Mr. Ulman's secretary)
Burnell Tucker .... Policeman
Jana Sheldon .... Stewardess
Kate Phelps .... Receptionist
Norman Gay .... Injured guest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vivian Kubrick .... Smoking guest on ballroom couch (uncredited)
Derek Lyons .... Bellhop at the Overlook Hotel (uncredited)More Movie Reviews of The Shining
The Shining Movie Review and Information Page at The Internet Movie DatabaseIn depth review and analysis of The Shining
