The Shining (5 Stars)

I recently read that this is the scariest horror film ever. I don't pay much attention to the top 10 lists published in magazines or on sensationalist websites, but in this case I don't disagree. I can't quite say that I agree either, but if some film has to be named the scariest film ever this is a good choice.

It might surprise people to know that when the film was first made Stephen King was so unhappy with the finished result that he took legal action to prevent it being released. He lost, of course, but it delayed the film's release by a year. I can understand the problem. He gave Stanley Kubrick the rights to make the film, but Kubrick hijacked the story. Even though the screenplay uses a lot of the book, key elements are altered and the end result is very much Stanley Kubrick's own film. The 1997 television mini-series is a faithful adaptation of the book, it's just as Stephen King wanted it, but people call the 1997 version rubbish. It certainly isn't rubbish, but something is missing. It doesn't have Jack Nicholson. It doesn't have Shelley Duvall (although I have to admit that Rebecca de Mornay is a good replacement). And it doesn't have Stanley Kubrick's unique brand of madness.

Today was the first time I've seen the original version of the film. The almost original version, at least. The film's original ending has been lost forever. Three days after the release of the film Warner Brothers, on instructions from Stanley Kubrick, ordered all projectionists to cut about two minutes from the end of the film, and send the footage back to the studio. This reduced the original length from 146 to 144 minutes. The film received poor reviews, so he cut a further 25 minutes from it before it was released in Europe. On videotape releases the 119 minute version was the standard. After the invention of DVDs a cross-Atlantic divide came about. In America DVDs were released with the 144 minute version, while the 119 minute version was released in England and other European countries. The American version is sometimes called the Director's Cut, but this is incorrect. A Director's Cut is released as an alternative to the theatrical version; it contains extra footage that would have made the film too long to be shown in cinemas. In the case of "The Shining" the opposite is the case. The long version is the original theatrical version, whereas the short version is the cut the director most approved of. I've watched the short version of "The Shining" often enough to immediately spot the extra footage in the long version. Kubrick wisely removed everything that slowed down the film, and the faster pacing improved the quality of the film.

The film has so many complexities and hidden meanings, even after excluding the conspiracy theories presented in the recent documentary film "Room 237". I'm sure that I'll watch it again soon, so I'll write a fuller exposition until next time.

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Here is the screenplay from the film's original ending.

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INTERNAL HOSPITAL

Ullman walks forward and stops at Reception desk where Nurse and Danny are playing “snakes and ladders”.

Ullman: Hi everybody.
Nurse: Good evening, Mr. Ullman.
Ullman: How’s it going, Danny?
Danny: Okay.
Nurse: He’s doing just fine. Aren’t we, Danny?
Danny: Yes.
Ullman: Good. That’s wonderful news. How’s Mrs. Torrance today?
Nurse: Oh, she’s much better. She had a nice lunch, and she took a little walk around this afternoon.
Ullman: Oh, that’s just great. Is it okay for me to go in and see her?
Nurse: Yes, of course, Mr. Ullman.

Ullman leaves Reception desk and walks towards open door where Policeman sits.

Ullman: How’s it going?
Policeman: Just fine.

Ullman knocks on door.

Ullman: Mrs. Torrance?
Wendy: Come in.

Ullman enters.

Ullman: Hi. How are you feeling today?
Wendy: Much better.
Ullman: Good. That’s really good to hear. You’re looking wonderful. Oh, by the way, I brought you these flowers.
Wendy: Thank you.
Ullman: Danny’s looking real well. He seems to have adjusted very well, all things considered. Oh, I spoke to Lieutenant Elliott on the way over here, and he said they’ve finished with this silly business about their investigation. He said he’d be over here this evening to tell you himself.
Wendy: Does this mean we’re free to leave?
Ullman: Of course you are. Oh, about the things you saw at the hotel. He told me they’ve gone over the place with a fine tooth comb and they didn’t find the slightest evidence of anything at all out of the ordinary. Mrs. Torrance, I think I know how you must feel about this, but it’s perfectly understandable for someone to imagine such things when they’re been through something like you have. You mustn’t think about it any more. Have you decided where you’re going when you leave here?
Wendy: No.
Ullman: Mrs. Torrance, I’d like to take the liberty of suggesting that you and Danny come and spend a while at my place in L.A. At least until you get your feet on the ground. It would be great for Danny. It’s right on the beach. You fall asleep with the sound of the waves, and in the morning you open the shutters and there you are: ocean, blue skies and sunshine. It wouldn’t be any trouble at all. I’ve got a marvelous housekeeper and two spare bedrooms. I really think this would be the best thing for you and Danny. I won’t take no for an answer.

Ullman walks to Reception counter.

Ullman: I’m on my way. Oh, I brought Mrs. Torrance some flowers. Could you have someone put them in a vase for her?
Nurse: Yes, I will.
Ullman: Good bye, Danny. See you tomorrow.
Danny: Bye.

Ullman moves away, then turns.

Ullman: Oh Danny. I forgot to give you this. Catch.

Ullman throws yellow ball to Danny.

Ullman: See you tomorrow, Danny.

Ullman leaves. Hold on Danny.

INTERNAL LOBBY

Track past furniture covered in dust-sheets to picture on background wall.

Fade into this title onto black:

“The Overlook Hotel would survive this tragedy, as it had so many others. It is still open each year from May 20th to September 20th. It is closed for the winter”.

THE END

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What did Stanley Kubrick want to say with this original ending? Even more importantly, why did he go to the great expenses of removing it when the film was already being shown in American cinemas? It's impossible to crawl into Kubrick's head, but click here for a summary of opinions on the subject.