# The Shining

> 1980 film directed by Stanley Kubrick

**Wikidata**: [Q186341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q186341)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shining_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-shining

## Summary
The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name. It stars Jack Nicholson as a writer who descends into madness while caring for a remote hotel, featuring iconic cinematography and themes of isolation. The film is renowned for its slow-burning tension, eerie atmosphere, and Kubrick's meticulous direction.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: May 23, 1980 (initial release), with subsequent releases in various countries through December 13, 1980.
- **Director**: Stanley Kubrick, known for his innovative cinematography and themes.
- **Based On**: Stephen King's 1977 novel *The Shining*.
- **Starring**: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd.
- **Genre**: Supernatural horror, psychological horror, thriller, mystery, drama.
- **Production Company**: Producers Services Corporation (PSC).
- **Country of Origin**: United States and United Kingdom.
- **Runtime**: 119 minutes (theatrical cut), 144 minutes (original cut).
- **Budget**: $19 million (1980 USD).
- **Box Office**: $44.9 million (1980 USD).
- **Awards**: Saturn Award for Best Actor (Jack Nicholson, 1981).
- **Preservation**: Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress (2018).
- **Sequel**: *Doctor Sleep* (2019), directed by Mike Flanagan.
- **Cultural Impact**: Ranked #29 on IMDb's Top 250, #93 on Rotten Tomatoes' Top 100 Horror Movies.
- **Technical Specifications**: Shot using 35mm film, aspect ratio 1.85:1, sound mix Dolby Stereo.
- **Filming Locations**: Timberline Lodge, Oregon (exteriors); Elstree Studios, UK (interiors).
- **Music**: Score by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind, featuring "Dies Irae" and electronic compositions.
- **Cinematography**: John Alcott, known for his work on Kubrick's *Barry Lyndon* and *2001: A Space Odyssey*.
- **Screenplay**: Diane Johnson and Stanley Kubrick.
- **Rating**: R (MPAA) for violence and language.
- **Language**: English.
- **Distributor**: Warner Bros.
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 73 language editions.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q8940.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0081505.
- **Box Office Mojo ID**: 1502.
- **Rotten Tomatoes ID**: m/shining.
- **Metacritic ID**: movie/the-shining.

## FAQs
**What is The Shining about?**  
The Shining follows writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), who becomes the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel, descending into madness influenced by supernatural forces, while his son Danny experiences terrifying psychic visions.

**Who created The Shining?**  
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the film is an adaptation of Stephen King's novel, with a screenplay co-written by Kubrick and Diane Johnson.

**Why is The Shining famous?**  
The film is celebrated for its eerie atmosphere, iconic performances (notably Nicholson's "Here's Johnny!" scene), and Kubrick's meticulous direction, including the use of long takes and symmetrical framing. It has become a cultural touchstone for horror and psychological thrillers.

**What awards did The Shining win?**  
Jack Nicholson won a Saturn Award for Best Actor in 1981. The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2018.

**How was The Shining received critically?**  
Initially polarizing, the film holds a 82% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 67 Metacritic score, with praise for its visuals and criticism for its pacing. It has since been reevaluated as a horror classic.

**Where was The Shining filmed?**  
Exterior shots used Timberline Lodge in Oregon, while interior scenes were filmed at Elstree Studios in the UK. The Overlook Hotel's exterior was inspired by the real-life Stanley Hotel in Colorado.

## Why It Matters
The Shining matters as a landmark in horror cinema, redefining the genre with its psychological depth and atmospheric tension. Kubrick's direction elevated the film beyond traditional horror tropes, making it a subject of academic analysis for its themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural. Its influence is evident in later horror films and pop culture, with references in *The Simpsons*, *Family Guy*, and music videos. The film's preservation in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural significance, and its enduring popularity ensures its status as a must-watch classic.

## Notable For
- **Iconic Performances**: Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Jack Torrance is widely regarded as one of the greatest villainous roles in cinema.
- **Cinematic Techniques**: Kubrick's use of Steadicam tracking shots, particularly in the hotel's corridors, revolutionized horror cinematography.
- **Cultural References**: The film's imagery, such as the "Grady twins" and "Here's Johnny!" scene, has permeated popular culture.
- **Preservation**: Selected for the National Film Registry in 2018, recognizing its historical and cultural importance.
- **Sequel Legacy**: Inspired *Doctor Sleep* (2019), which continued the story of Danny Torrance.
- **Critical Reevaluation**: Initially divisive, it is now ranked among the greatest horror films by critics and audiences.
- **Technical Achievements**: Groundbreaking use of practical effects and miniatures to create the Overlook Hotel's impossible geometry.
- **Thematic Depth**: Explores themes of addiction, family trauma, and the dangers of isolation, adding layers beyond traditional horror.

## Body

### Production and Release
The Shining was produced by Producers Services Corporation (PSC) with a budget of $19 million. Filming took place from May 1979 to March 1980 at Timberline Lodge in Oregon and Elstree Studios in the UK. The film premiered on May 23, 1980, in New York City, with subsequent releases in the UK (September 26), Sweden (October 16), and West Germany (December 13). Warner Bros. distributed the film, which grossed $44.9 million worldwide.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Stanley Kubrick, known for his perfectionism and visual storytelling.
- **Screenplay**: Diane Johnson and Stanley Kubrick, adapting Stephen King's novel.
- **Cinematography**: John Alcott, who employed Steadicam techniques to create fluid, unsettling tracking shots.
- **Music**: Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind composed the score, incorporating electronic music and the "Dies Irae" chant.
- **Cast**: Jack Nicholson (Jack Torrance), Shelley Duvall (Wendy Torrance), Danny Lloyd (Danny Torrance), and Scatman Crothers (Dick Hallorann).

### Themes and Style
The Shining explores themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural, amplified by Kubrick's deliberate pacing and symmetrical framing. The Overlook Hotel, with its impossible geometry and dark history, serves as a character itself, symbolizing the characters' psychological unraveling. Kubrick's use of long takes and eerie sound design heightens tension, creating a sense of claustrophobia despite the hotel's vast spaces.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The film's influence extends beyond horror, with its imagery and scenes parodied and homaged in media like *The Simpsons* and *Ready Player One*. The Shining has been preserved in the National Film Registry (2018) and ranked #29 on IMDb's Top 250. Its legacy includes a sequel, *Doctor Sleep* (2019), and ongoing academic analysis of its themes and techniques.

### Technical Specifications
- **Film Format**: 35mm.
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1.
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Stereo.
- **Runtime**: 119 minutes (theatrical cut), 144 minutes (original cut).

### Related Works
- **Preceded By**: Stephen King's novel *The Shining* (1977).
- **Followed By**: *Doctor Sleep* (2019), directed by Mike Flanagan.
- **Adaptations**: Stage play (2013) and radio dramatization (2015).

### Preservation and Recognition
Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The film is also part of the National Film Registry's "Vital article" list on Wikipedia, emphasizing its global relevance.

### Critical Reception
Initially polarizing, The Shining received mixed reviews upon release but has since been reevaluated as a horror classic. It holds an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 67 Metacritic score, with praise for its visuals and performances, though some critics found its pacing slow. Over time, it has been recognized as one of the greatest horror films, influencing the genre's direction toward psychological complexity.

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