The enigma⁣ of ‘The Shining’: A deep dive⁢ into Kubrick’s masterpiece

Stanley‍ Kubrick’s “The Shining” is a film that exists in ‍a unique realm of its own. It might be the most intriguing horror movie ever ​made that isn’t traditionally scary. For me,⁣ the most terrifying ‍horror film remains “Psycho”, as it’s the ultimate experience of‍ watching oneself watch. While many ‍consider “The Shining” ⁢to be a terrifying movie, my‌ experience has always been different. I first saw it on its opening night, May 23, ‍1980,​ and have revisited it‍ numerous times since. Over the years, its mood and mysteries have deepened, making it​ a uniquely seductive piece ⁢of cinema.⁣ However, I’ve always had the ‌same issue with it since that first viewing.

A metaphysical⁢ puzzle

In “The Shining”, we witness an enormous metaphysical puzzle from the ‍dark side. It’s a ghost story where the spirits of the Overlook Hotel intertwine with⁣ the madness of Jack ‍Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson. Jack,⁤ an aspiring novelist, is unraveled ​by a combination of factors: his ⁣writer’s block, his rage, the ‍alcohol ‌that fuels it, and the specters⁢ of the Overlook, particularly the⁤ caretaker who tries to influence him.⁤ Jack essentially‌ becomes the ‍caretaker, ⁢which is why⁤ he appears in that old ⁤photograph from‌ the ‌1920s at‌ the end of the movie. ‌The film explores the timelessness of murder, creating a creepy ⁣and elusive‍ atmosphere.

The brutality of Jack Torrance

When Jack Torrance’s⁤ id is unleashed,⁢ what we see is not elusive. It’s one of the most brutally direct images of homicidal violence in cinema: Jack Nicholson, in full lunatic⁣ mode, swinging an ‌ax as he attempts to kill his wife and ⁣young son. When “The Shining” was released,⁣ the slasher-film era was ‍in full ⁤swing. While I’m not a huge fan ⁣of ⁢the “Halloween”/“Friday the 13th” genre, I ⁣find some of those films scarier than “The⁣ Shining”. Nicholson wielding that⁢ ax like a‌ deranged lumberjack​ lacks mystery. ⁣The film⁢ is brilliantly crafted around ⁤the​ edges but, to me, has a⁣ significant element ⁣of evil banality at its climax.

The making of ‘The ⁤Shining’

This brings us to ​ “Shine On”, a 25-minute documentary that ​offers a rare glimpse into the making of ‍ “The ⁢Shining”. Unlike Rodney ​Ascher’s head-spinning “Room 237”, “Shine On” focuses on the physical production of the‍ film. Written and directed by Paul King and ‌narrated by Michael Sheen, it ⁣delves into the film’s sets, some of which still exist ⁣in the form​ of industrial rooms that doubled as movie locations. “Shine On” ⁢ is a ​documentary about the shell of “The Shining”.

The sets: A world of their own

The sets of⁣ “The⁤ Shining” are perhaps the most unnerving aspect⁤ of⁢ the film. The documentary reveals that the movie was shot almost ​entirely at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. This⁢ revelation was surprising, as many, including ⁤myself, believed it was filmed ‍at the Stanley‌ Hotel⁣ in the Rocky Mountains,‌ the model for the‍ Overlook. Kubrick, who hadn’t left‍ England​ in decades, specialized in creating​ elaborate sets ⁤that became worlds of‌ their own, such as the spaceship in “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the bombed-out city of Hué in “Full Metal Jacket”. The Overlook’s psychedelic maze carpets, creamy walls, and cavernous lobby‌ were too solid and imposing to be mere sets, yet‍ Kubrick built it all.

The vastness of the Overlook

“The Shining” makes more dramatic use of ceilings than any film since “Citizen Kane”. The ⁤sheer vastness of‍ the Overlook is⁤ Kubrick’s⁢ great sleight-of-hand trick.⁢ With only⁤ three characters‌ living there for ⁤most of the movie, the size of the place suggests it would⁢ be insane to ⁢build such a large ⁤set for these characters and this⁤ ghost tale.​ Kubrick’s obsessive overscaling becomes another link ⁣in the⁢ chain of the film’s madness.

The ⁤legacy of ‘The Shining’

“Shine On” joins ⁢other documentaries about Kubrick,‍ such as ⁣ “Kubrick by​ Kubrick”, “Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes”, and “Filmworker”, as a small piece ⁢of the puzzle⁣ of who Kubrick was ⁣and ⁤how he made his films. More ‍than perhaps any⁤ other major film ​artist,⁤ Kubrick built ‌his films like massive ⁢ships in a bottle. “The Shining” was the most elaborately constructed of​ all. It’s ​the story ‍of a⁤ haunted house, but⁤ the ​way Kubrick made it, the ​film itself is ‍the haunted house. The‍ spectacular scale⁢ and concreteness ‍of the‍ sets suggest that⁣ the mystery concealed⁣ within is⁤ as grand as God. ‌You can’t see it,‍ but it’s everywhere. ‍This ⁤may be the coolest idea ever implanted in​ a horror‍ film. If it‍ were as scary ​as⁣ it was cool, “The Shining” would be a masterpiece⁣ instead‍ of ​the ultimate elevated horror ‍curio.

For those who want to delve⁣ deeper into the⁣ world‌ of “The‌ Shining”, you ‍can‍ watch the trailer ​ and explore more about this enigmatic film.