The Shining

This film for me evokes childhood memories and I feel it is a true classic of the psychological thriller genre easily alongside such greats as Blue Velvet and Jacob's Ladder. Firstly I feel it is important to mention that aside all else the sets are absolutley amazing and in my mind put to very good use.There is a running theme throughout the movie of long narrow corridors that is even present in the final outdoor chase scene through a hedge maze, This give the film an almost choking air of claustrophobia and opression that seems to run through the whole movie.

The lighting in the film is quite bland and oddly this works well given the events within. For example the majority of the film is set in a very bright well lit clean hotel but given that the main plot involves a man being driven slowly mad by ghosts trying to make him commit matricide this mundane setting brings it into reality which I feel makes it truly terrifying If it had for example been very dark and dingy I don't personally feel that the effect would have been quite as powerful.

The main cast is comprised of three actors with very few supporting, however whilst this would normally be a challenge from an acting standpoint the tension in direction and soundtrack intersperesed with incredibly frantic scenes of action and terror break it up enough to remain dynamic. The main cast is as well incredibly talented, being fronted by Jack Nicholson in what is probably his most iconic role to date. Alongside Nicholson is Child actor Danny Lloyd who while not the most fluid actor does a good job of creating tension with some very deadpan moments played out to great effect like the infamous 'REDRUM' scene.


The only possible downside that comes to mind fresh from watching this movie is that sometimes the pacing depending on opinion can seem a little off. Personally I like the mixture of slow tension build interspersed with dramatic scenes as I feel it adds to the overall atmosphere of the movie, but it is not something that everyone will enjoy especially not those that are new to Kubrick's style and pacing.

In comparison to other work of this ilk from other filmmakers it could be said that The Shining verges more towards traditional ideas of horror rather than flat out Psychological thriller. For example Psycho is considered by many to be a classic of the genre and by comparison there is very little bloodshed or violence whereas the famous elevator of blood scene from the shining could be said to have echoes of straight forward shock horror the likes of which were made famous by actors like Vincent Price and studios like Hammer, however The Shining plays this as a strength managing to combine both genre areas and remain slick .

In conclusion I will say that while it may not be for everyone there are doubtless those that will enjoy the sense of dread this movie evokes through simple tools like repetition of work and almost surreal interactions (especially between the films ghosts and the main antagonist) and as such it deserves recognition as one of kubrick's finest moments and one of cinema's greatest horror movies.