It took until just a few years ago before I had my first viewing of The Shining, and I was in shock at what I had been missing out on for all these years. I have always been a horror movie fan ever since I saw my first one (A Nightmare On Elm Street) back in the late 80's, but few had an effect on me the way the scenes and sounds of The Shining did. From beginning to end, this is one masterpiece of a movie.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a schoolteacher, has accepted a caretaker position at a beautiful mountain resort, the Overlook Hotel. His wife Winifred "Wendy" Torrance (Shelly Duvall), and their son Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) accompany him where they will be virtually cut off from the outside world for months with the coming winter and heavy snowfalls.

As the Winter arrives, and time passes, Jack Torrance begins to have a few supernatural encounters as he slowly goes insane. While Wendy struggles to keep things together, Danny has a few ghostly encounters of his own, and some visions known as "Shinings."

From the very start of the movie, you can sense something is not right with Jack Torrance. He has a creepy demeanor to him, and even on the trip up the mountain to the Hotel, he seems as though he is subconsciously aware of what is in store for him. Jack Nicholson was quite astonishing throughout the movie with his freaky demeanor, ranting and twisted facial expressions. I really didn't see Nicholson in the role, I literally only saw Jack Torrance.

I recently had a discussion about Shelly Duvall's performance, and my friend and I both agreed just how bad it is, but in a strangely good way. She adds an even more creepy element to an already excellent movie with her "unique" performance, the words that come to mind first to describe it are dry and robotic-like. Perhaps it was just an aspect of the character that I did not comprehend, such as she was also sensing the coming trouble.

Danny Lloyd puts on quite the performance as Danny Torrance, the boy with the gift of "Shining." In addition to having a few frightening supernatural encounters while wandering the Overlook Hotel, he is also able to sense what is going to occur in the near future. We see an example of this when he anticipates (actually glimpses the future) that he will be offered some Ice Cream by the Overlook's head chef. I believe this is what Shining actually is, sort of an advanced sensing ability.

The scenes from the movie that stand out most to me about Danny Torrance are his encounters with the two little deceased girls, and his repeating of the word "redrum" over and over. Just thinking about seeing the reflection of redrum in the mirror, and the way Lloyd/Danny says the word is giving me chills. He does such a good job, you can literally feel his terror in many of the scenes.

The setting was also an important part in the success of the movie. Director Stanley Kubrick really picked a brilliant location to unleash his directing skills. As we follow the awesome Steadicam shots through many of the rooms in the hotel, you get quite a feel for the beauty and atmosphere of the place. Ornately decorated, beautiful floors, wide open spaces, and breathtaking views. I really doubt I could spend so much as an evening in the vacant place, even if I was with another person or two… or ten - and had a really big gun (and a magic sword!). I'd sooner take my chances in the forest (until I encounter Mr. Grizzly Bear).

The one other major aspect of movie that effected me was the music and the sounds you heard throughout many of the scenes. I mean some of this stuff was so freaky I shudder to think about hearing it again. It really accentuated the horror of the scenes, and really helped to get those hairs standing up on the back of my neck. An elevator opening that is full of blood just isn't the same without some brutally frightening sounds to go along with it.

Although I did not have nightmares for days after I saw this movie (which is what happened to me after I saw The Exorcist III), it still had quite an impact on me. It is the kind of movie that I will never tire of analyzing and viewing mainly because of it's beautiful scenery, frightening scenes, and brilliant acting and directing. One thing is definite - Stanley Kubrick was one of a kind.

And thanks to Stephen King for writing the book of the same name which the movie was based upon. I have not yet read it myself...


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age