Can you believe that “The Shining” is already 45 years old? This classic horror thriller film shaped a lot of the current horror media we see today. It’s one of the best horror films ever made and was based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Four decades after the film was released the movie remains relevant. But why? What is so special about “The Shining?” Click through the slideshow to find out why this film continues to be a classic.
What is “The Shining” About?
“The Shining” is a 1980 film released on May 23rd. It tells the story of Jack Torrance and his family when he takes a winter caretaker position at a strange hotel. In this hotel, Charles Grady, the previous caretaker, killed his wife and twin daughters in the hotel. The more Jack and his son spend time at the hotel, the stranger things get.
Who Stars in “The Shining?”
- Jack Nicholson
- Shelley Duvall
- Danny Lloyd
- Scatman Crothers
Is “The Shining” Based on a True Story?
“The Shining” is not based on a true story. It’s a fictional piece of work based on a fictional book. However, Stephen King was inspired by the Overlook Hotel, an actual place in Colorado. He stayed in the hotel for one night with his wife when inspiration struck and by the time he fell asleep, the whole story was in his head.
8 Incredible Facts About “The Shining”
Now that we know a little more about “The Shining,” let’s dive into some of the most interesting facts surrounding the film.
“The Phantom Carriage” Was a Big Inspiration
The director of “The Shining,” Stanley Kubrick, took a lot of inspiration from older movies for the many chilling scenes in the film. One of the most iconic scenes is when Jack loses it and begins swinging an axe to break down doors. This was actually inspired by “The Phantom Carriage,” a 1921 horror film that depicts a similar scene and themes.
“The Shining” was Stanley Kubrick’s First Horror Film
Considering “The Shining” is a classic horror film, it’s hard to imagine that it was the director’s first time trying horror. But it was! Previously, Stanley Kubrick directed “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “A Clockwork Orange,” and “Fear and Desire.”
Filming Took 14 Months
Initially, filming was scheduled for four months. This quickly turned to 14 as scenes were re-shot as many as 80 times. The film is nearly two and a half hours long but could have been longer.
Stephen King Was Not a Fan
Stephen King wrote a script for the film version of his book, but it wasn’t the final version. Actually, Stephen King didn’t even like the film adaptation. He said the film was too cold and didn’t capture the true spirit or journey of Jack Torrance.
Some Unused Footage Was Used in “Blade Runner”
So many hours of footage were shot for “The Shining,” and most didn’t even make it to the movie. Instead, a few scenic mountain shots from “The Shining” made it to “Blade Runner’s” initial release.
Danny Lloyd Didn’t See The Movie Until After 5 Years
Danny Lloyd played Danny Torrance when he was just six years old. To keep him safe, no one told him he was filming a horror movie, but instead a drama. Interestingly, the actor didn’t even see the film until five years after its release.
A Fire Destroyed Some of the Film’s Sets
A few sets were damaged due to a fire when filming “The Shining.” This was towards the end of filming.
A Lot of Actors Were Considered for the Lead
In an alternate universe, another actor is playing Jack Torrance. A few other actors considered for this role include Robin Williams, Robert De Niro, and Harrison Ford.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images.