Movie Flashback: The Shining

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

The Shining

One of the greatest Psychological Horror films of All-Time.

This classic, directed by Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket), was released in May of 1980. It was based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King.

The film starred Jack Nicholson, in one of the greatest roles of his career, as writer Jack Torrance who is slowly driven insane while wintering in a remote mountain hotel with his family.

It was released to very mixed critical reviews and was only slightly successful at the box office. It has since gone on to be a cult horror classic in the 30 years since its release.

Author Stephen King has had widely varying views on the film since its release. He has often said that the movie is visually striking but is not an accurate depiction of his novel.

The film was set at a remote hotel in Colorado, though the establishing exterior shots were actually of Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon. All of the interior scenes, and many of the exterior scenes, including the hedge maze, were shot on soundstages and studios in England.

I cannot remember exactly when I saw this movie for the first time. I do remember that it was real slow for the first 2/3 of the film and then the last part of the movie is pretty intense. Afterwards, it is one of those creepy movies that just sticks with you for a long time, especially in the quiet dark of the night…..

If I ever stay at some creepy old hotel and I venture out of my room and see two little girls in dresses standing silently in the hallway…I am promptly wetting myself and then fleeing the building in terror as fast as my old legs will carry me….

(youtube trailer by user frodoman16)