Foreshadowing in THE SHINING - film analysis

Detailed study of how The Shining uses subliminal communication to give the viewer as sense of dread. Check out my full analysis article on The Shining at my website www.collativele...
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[@wistfulwraith3296]

I will never get tired of this movie.

[@faybelle2991]

Same.

[@Thespeedrap]

That just goes to show how great Kubrick was as a film director.

[@averyjackblack7420]

Agree

[@davidlean1060]

@@Thespeedrap the cool thing is it is not some intellectually challenging museum piece that only academics will study, It's an 'ass on seats' block buster as well!

[@slimandnone__6545]

ALWAYS find something new every viewing. Just watched it 3 times in 2 weeks.

[@exit13productions50]

Heres something weird I just noticed... the first pair of girls that say “Goodbye Mr Ullman” are bringing their luggage INTO the hotel on closing day, as if they’re planning to spend the winter there. And the 2nd pair of girls saying goodbye to Mr Ullman are walking to the exact location where the murdered twins are seen. Im basically repeating what Rob already said in the video but I think both these pairs of girls are very obviously meant to represent the Grady twins who will be spending the winter in the hotel with the Torrance family

[@balleet210]

That comparison to the sound of the floorboards and the music lining up is just insane. There is no way that is a coincidence.

[@TreatzTMA]

Balleet the depth of this film continually amazes

[@everythingflows3196]

Agreed. I never noticed it before, and if I just *heard* someone point it out I'd say they were reaching - but actually witnessing the comparison... yeah, it's not reaching. And Kubrick *always* did stuff like that with dialogue or actual action matching beats in the music (e.g., A Clockwork Orange - all of it). He was as much a composer as he was a director, executing the cinematic equivalent of Wagnerian Gesamtkunstwerk.

[@MrHEC381991]

6:35 Maybe the music sting is from Danny's point of view. He saw the twins a split second before the camera/audience did.

[@watchdogsplaythroughs9852]

I thought that was pretty obvious.

[@cloudwizard7694]

Yeah, but Jack saying that "It was like I knew..." pretty much synchonizes with the fact that we know Jack is going to snap and suspect thing right before they happen.

[@happinesstan]

@@cloudwizard7694 We don't know Jack is going to snap.

[@anastasiabananastasia]

if only more films were of such quality that layers of meaning and symbolism that appear thoroughly throughout, you can ponder its true meaning for years and many times viewing it after.

[@questionitall3053]

Stanley Kubrick is, and always will be, unmatched as a film making genius. Kubrick was a master chess player, and it shows in his films.

[@Firguy_the_Foot_Fetishist]

Indeed, Tarkovsky and Kubrick were pioneers of filmmaking who took the medium to new dimensions when, before, it was only taken to new heights.

[@filmbuff2777]

Well, there is always the "iconic" miniseries of The Shining, which Stephen King claims is better than Kubrick's film in every way possible.

[@coinraker6497]

@@filmbuff2777 lol, no doubt King is the only person in the world who feels that way.

[@oldironsides4107]

Film Buff It was excellent as all movies and miniseries are. I rated it 5 bags of popcorn and 2 bags of soda

[@jasoncola2264]

There’s also the facial expression jack makes when drinking for the first times which is the same expression when he freezes The tie resembling the hedge maze The black teddy bear on the floor where Halloran died Jacks driving ton shirt mirrored the same as redrum to murder Even Wendy saying seeing the gold room “ it looks like a great place to party” foreshadows both the butler scene and the butler with the bloody head Even the beginning theme of The shining Is a song called dies irae which is played at medieval funerals

[@jacobvarney23]

Two of those were said in the video and the opening theme was original though it does include the dies irae motif.

[@ccourt46]

6:21 The musical drum kicks in when Danny sees the girls, but before the audience. The music, therefore, is synched to Danny and not the audience. So, perhaps, the eerie music represents Danny's power to see into the future. Or in this case, he can feel something evil is coming at a subconscious level.

[@happinesstan]

The music is there to sync the audience to their imagined fears. This is clear from the opening shot. A beautiful shot of the countryside, nature at hr finest. It could be the opening scene to 'The Swiss family Robinson', but that music leaves you in little doubt that horror is on it's way.

[@stews9]

I'm with you, Rob. If it's in a Kubrick film, it's deliberate.

[@cindysnow802]

Do you think Danny's weirdly choppy haircut means anything? Or just 1970s bad style?

[@UkuleleVillain]

Kubrick was too much of a chess master to let anything slip

[@jessejennings3828]

Except the tang it seems.. Or Dannys homemade Apollo sweater.

[@jessejennings3828]

@Nature and Physics i just find the disconnect funny. Either way to could be true and only a few people will ever know for certain. But i like how its untrue if can be faked unless of by government. I have a question about space. What resistance are you pushing off of? The way i figure the same lack of resistance that wouldnt slow you down also leaves nothing to push off..like when i junp im using the earth to push off of. Or the airplane is using lift versus gravity.

[@jessejennings3828]

@Nature and Physics that doesnt answer my question but thanks for trying. I will try to clarify. They lose those big rockets once they leave orbit. Isnt resistance at dual edged sword? Like i couldnt swim my way through space? If I could would i be using my distortion of space time to do so? Or are we still working off of the suns gravity?

[@connerwood7969]

Rob + more Shining = yes.

[@thegrimyeaper]

So many years of watching this movie on VHS and DVD. Now that's it in HD it's like watching it for the first time again.

[@juzujuzu4555]

I first noticed on Bluray that we can see Kubrick himself in reflection over Ullman's office when Jack is going to his interview. While this might be accidental, I still think it is deliberately connecting Jack to be representation of Kubrick in this film. After all, Kubrick used to watch the acting from monitors lots of the time, and he must have known about the possibility of reflection there. Also it's funny that Ullman's office is the smallest projected window in the film, but it's the only one that has flaws, light scattering from the corners. Like it happens on imperfect frontscreen projection canvas, and mostly it happens when multiple canvases are put together. But all the other windows are completely fine. This is one subtle hint, from the dozens and dozens on this film, of which only part is publicly spoken about.

[@jamesmarcin4787]

Comes out in 4k in October😀

[@happinesstan]

No. Watching it for the first time involves forgetting what you know about the conclusion.

[@happinesstan]

@@juzujuzu4555 King said 'The Shining" was his most autobiographical book. It's possible that Kubrick made an autobiographical film. Interesting differences that would have to be considered, King is a successful writer, Kubrick a failed writer.

[@racewiththefalcons1]

4:08 - Wendy is even carrying a camera, which is never shown at any other point in the film.

[@Harbaksh1234]

Jack Nicholson's tie when being interviewed ... maze pattern 😱😱😱

[@pettipasb]

Well played. Good eye.

[@LordWyatt]

😂😯🤯

[@ZeranZeran]

woah, and very specifically dark green, the same color as the maze. That was no accident. Good eye

[@TheRowlandstone73]

Stretching.

[@denali9643]

I’m not sure which marvels me most: your ability to spot and pull these hidden insights together, or Kubrick’s brilliance to carefully conceptualize and hide them in the first place. He died too young.....

[@dyveira]

I wish we had more directors like Kubrick. Say what you like about him, the man was a genius and a perfectionist. More importantly he had a backbone that allowed him to tell off producers and mainstream Hollywood and make the films he wanted to make, free of studio interference.

[@davidlean1060]

@@dyveira He was a shrewd businessman too you see. The studios let him be because he didn't cost them too much money. For example, I read he bought a load of outdoor toilet cubicles. When time came for them to be on a film set, he basically rented his own cubicles to himself for the shoot and charged the studio for it!!

[@bhamacuk]

Exactly! These insights are marvellous and makes me see the film in a different light. Some could be coincidental, whilst other scenes seem too credible to overlook. Masterful observations and film making!

[@juzujuzu4555]

Well, Kubrick's brilliance is unmatched, and for example The Shining is much more extraordinary than I have seen anybody give it credit for. I have researched everything about that film, and I have seen all youtube videos, read all blogs etc. and found lots and lots of things that I have not seen anywhere. I have thought to learn video editing just to put out videos on The Shining to show the evidence that I have found. It would make most skeptics complete believers. However, Eyes Wide Shut is even more amazing. Lots of the stuff in that film though is too hard for common folk to understand and believe, like aspects of numerology, sacred geometry etc. that are used for various purposes. In many ways EWS is The Shining 2.0. It has family with small child. The most important scenes thematically appear on ball room, and inside a "old mansion/hotel". It's themes are pedophilia, mind control, violence, and the group that controls the earth. For some reason my mind betrayed me and I don't remember more, but there certainly are more. Also I don't remember where I got this, but EWS is said to be Kubrick's most personal film, and The Shining his second most personal film. On both films the main male character represents Kubrick himself (at least in some ways) and the main female character represents his wife. EWS is a film that everybody should watch once a year (or two), because it will open up differently in different ages and levels of wisdom and knowledge. It took me long time to really fell into that film, and even more to really understand how amazing, multilayered and complex it is. Kubrick said that it was his biggest contribution to cinema, and I understand it now, and believe it.

[@qdavis7238]

I always thought "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" was about his sexual frustration. You've mentioned Jack's frustration before I think, and pointed out things like him checking out the female guests and reading the dirty magazine, and later he makes out with the witch. I thought it was obvious what "no play" means.

[@AmandaDixson]

He was reading PlayGirl, specifically one about incest.... so with that said, you have your point of the entire premise right there in that one singular scene alone. It explains the entire movie.

[@katdroidd]

I think that the minotaur imagery scattered throughout the film can also be viewed as a form of foreshadowing. By portraying Jack as a bullish figure looming over the maze, it provokes in the viewer a memory of that story and how the minotaur lurks in the center of the maze.

[@lostinspacerobinson1527]

Please explain more , thank you ...

[@katdroidd]

@@lostinspacerobinson1527 Juli Kearns was the one to point out this imagery, she was in the movie Room 237

[@lostinspacerobinson1527]

@@katdroidd hmmm, interesting, thank you.

[@chrisjimenez5344]

You may be overthinking things. Kubrick had a company called, yes, MINOTAUR - its probably a cute self-reference. He does that A LOT in his films.

[@mk-ultramags1107]

In regards to your point, I wanna bring up the "Dopey" sticker on Danny's door... Obviously it's been suggested that when it disappears, it's representing Danny's state of mind after shining into the mirror. He's no longer a "Dope" etc. However... I also think it can represent Jack. The eyes of Dopey are looking towards the bathroom, as if someone is watching from behind the shower curtain. A lot of duality, especially in regards to Danny/Tony and Jack/Grady.

[@FredericoMendez]

One I noticed recently was Jacks expression when drinking the whiskey mirrors his frozen death face at the end.

[@hyakugame]

once more with more syntax please

[@coinraker6497]

But what is it foreshadowing?

[@happinesstan]

Good catch. That confirms that the man in the bar is the same man who dies, but it doesn't prove that either of them are the same man, creating them for his book.

[@happinesstan]

@@coinraker6497 It confirms that the man in the bar, is the same man who freezes to death. It doesn't prove that either of them are the author writing the book in which they exist.

[@phantom213]

Your analysis of Kubrick's Shining is unmatched. These videos leave me at times speechless. I truly appreciate your work.

[@andrewcruz1931]

I never get tired of hearing about the shining. Always excited to see a new rob ager shining video !

[@slimandnone__6545]

Rob, I gotta say, I enjoy your Shining videos the most out of all your analyses. Your keen observational skills and ability to dissect every frame is astounding, especially for my all-time favorite film, The Shining.

[@KutWrite]

I don't know which is more amazing, the levels of detail in the film, or your ability to catch and explain them. Well done, Rob!

[@danbal4185]

6:15 When the tricicle turns around the corner, the musical drum of surprise kicks in a second before the appearance of the twins just for us the viewer, but it's perfectly synchronized with Danny's perspective. So the musical jolt represents his shocked reaction to the vision. For a brief moment we're disengaged from his perspective, for us it's the most effective second of anticipation. That's perfectly foreshadow in the previous shot in the green corridor, when Danny's tricicle outrun us and then turns the corner into the unknown (also accompanied by a musical jolt).

[@PsmithNick]

Halloran wears blue just as Wendy and Danny do. It recalls the blue clothing of the murdered twins. And Danny has a red collar which foreshadows him being strangled. An Halloran (in the scene where he and Danny discuss the Shining) has a noticeable red slash on his shirt in the exact same spot he later gets axed. I'm sure that's deliberate. Red on blue showing where characters get wounded , or potentially wounded.

[@peppermint23]

I saw the film for the first time in college while studying film, and immediately noticed and delighted in the knives in the background. They scared the hell out of me.

[@metromobile1236]

Also, that red bathroom is fabulous

[@lauranabrown8696]

I agree, it's so bright and pretty

[@jennybean1998]

Metro Mobile oh ten years ago, my brother painted my parent’s guest bathroom BLOOD RED and in gloss. I immediately thought of The Shining, and repainted it. 😂

[@davidlean1060]

..it also mirrors the colours of the lunar landing bay in 2001ASO. The lights on the ceiling also look like some of the patterns in the stargate sequence.

[@bentramer682]

it would probably have looked better in the 70's but it just makes me think of Target

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@bentramer682 It's also Target thinking of you :^)

[@mk-ultramags1107]

At the 7:10 mark, I love how the elevator dials are both on floor 1 or 2, and appear as if they're looking at Halloran which again gives us the hint that we're about to see something around the corner. Kubrick used those dials perfectly in every scene they're used in. The Overlook is always watching...

[@DatsWhatXiSaid]

When Wendy runs with Danny into the maze, she's holding a camera. When the steadicam guy chased Danny into the maze to film that sequence... he was also holding a camera!

[@drevil37373]

I always felt that Danny's rides around the overlook in his tricycle were linked to him running in the maze (though i ca't explain why) interesting to the connections you found.

[@thebcr1012]

I know why because Danny stops at room 237, same thing when he stops in the maze, covers his tracks while his father passes through, and Danny saw the twins while looking up at room 237 and got outta there. After Jack passed by Danny hidden in the maze, he made a run for it and got outta there!

[@cecebarron]

I read an analysis about how The Shining was purposefully directed to give you a sense of discomfort without knowing why, and these parallels that you explained helped me understand it, found these explanations very cool thank you!

[@aisle_of_view]

Steadicam footage is phenomenal

[@MatimoreAgain]

A great film has a rhythm and pacing to it like an amazing symphonic piece. Kubrick was an amazing maestro and The Shining was definitely a masterpiece. Twinning is definitely a theme in the film b/c in occult societies twins represents the loss of individuality. It also represents reflection/reflecting. A great film is when every shot is a link in a chain. Each shot propels the movie forward. Sadly not too many movies do that anymore. Also, Kubrick wanted to include the animal shaped hedges which come to life that were in the book, but he didn't include them b/c he feared it was gonna cheapen the look of his film or something like that.

[@bhamacuk]

Regarding the use/ non use of animal hedge shapes in the maze, Kubrick could have used static but distorted camera angles to convey an impression of movement, as if playing on the mind.

[@corettaha7855]

DV 8 not many movies ever did that. We just forget all about the ones that don’t do that.

[@mihails.6398]

Yea, you got it right ! One of the main themes of the movie is in fact the twins theme. Eleven, Gemini and so on. Who knows, maybe we'll find out in a video about some strange connections between Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch 🤣🤣🤣

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

@William Wright and the hedge animals were beyond stupid. Even in the book. Jmo

[@AmandaDixson]

No. You got your ideas from someone else...

[@DirThboi]

I often wonder if the dozens of takes Kubrick took for his shots were to get the minute background details right irrespective of how well the main actors have done in the foreground.

[@jamesoblivion]

The wide shot with the knives hanging over Danny's head always reminds me of a similar shot during the scene at Sam Loomis's job in Psycho.

[@AmandaDixson]

This has been explained in detail; it also happens in a far away shot with knives even further away on a back wall. This is pictating the mythology of Damocles.

[@pauledwards4294]

There looks to be 8 knives, which could also suggest the tarot card the Eight of Swords: “The Eight of Swords assures you there is a way out of your current predicament - you just need a new perspective. You already have the resources you need, but it is up to you to use those resources in a way that serves you. Others may be offering you help, or there may be an alternative solution you haven’t yet fully explored. Be open to finding the answer rather than getting stuck on the problem. The Eight of Swords is often associated with a victim mentality. You surrendered your power to an external entity, allowing yourself to become trapped and limited in some way. You may feel that it isn’t your fault - you have been placed here against your will. You may feel like the victim, waiting to be rescued, but is this energy serving you? If not, it is imperative you take back your power and personal accountability and open your eyes to the options in front of you. The fact is you do have choices, even if you do not like them. You are not powerless.“

[@TreatzTMA]

Many thanks. You’ve completely transformed how I watch movies. Even as a child seeing this movie I knew much more was going on from the missing maze in the opening shot of the hotel, to the Minotaur “skier” poster to the nonsensical hotel layout. And those long lingering shots where he is begging you to really see what he is showing you.

[@Kodaigon72]

Hey rob I was just wanting to say that the same music playing in both bathroom scenes might be connected to the theory that jack is writing out the events into the book he is writing using the story of his son having a frightening experience in the bathroom. This theory makes even a little bit more sense because writers typically use real life events to help them tell a story

[@robag555]

Yeah there is certainly a "writing it as it's happening" facet to the movie :)

[@mikem591]

Kubrick knew all the tricks. His attention to detail is astounding! His movies are layered masterpieces were you can keep digging and digging and finding new things and insights. An initial viewing are just the tip of the iceberg to all the subliminal messages being expressed in his movies. The material and subliminal messages are still relevant today.

[@anastasiabananastasia]

i agree i love his movies for that

[@AmandaDixson]

He's my directing inspiration. I pay attention to just as much detail; when I was in acting school, we were taught the fundementals of the type of work Kuberick does, and had some of his works as motives to be inspired by. He is the reason I love deeply, extravegantly detailed movies. His work set a precedence for demand, expectation, and presentation. RIP Stanley Kuberick, you were a God among men.

[@mikem591]

@@AmandaDixson That is awesome! There is soooooo much layering to his movies and there are more insights to glean. That’s great you are doing moves that pay attention to detail. I think the mind subconsciously picks up on the details. I remember after watching the Shining I had this strange feeling their was WAY more going on then just a horror movie. It’s been amazing to find out later on the message he was seeking to convey. Very cool!

[@mikem591]

@@AmandaDixson I also recently saw an analysis that Room 237 might have represented Jack molesting Danny. I was astounded by the insight and it seemed to add up. Another insight that was buried under layers of meaning!

[@XxXxXBuffyXxXxX]

I feel like i might go insane watching these videos, I can't get enough of them!!

[@thebarky1988]

Your attention to detail amazes me. I want a movie for entertainment and don’t study them. I am learning so much from you. I read the book twice. The movie is so different.

[@charliesierra6919]

I love all these Easter eggs you're showing. Very nice and really adds value to my perception of the film. I can only deduce that if Kubrick made even 50% of these things on purpose that he is indeed the most brilliant director ever.

[@thesicoplayer_2663]

Nothings better than smoking myself happy and watching these kinda videos for about an hour. Really fascinating on multiple levels.

[@1sourceps]

Thank you Rob. I love your analysis videos. Especially your Kubrick videos.

[@jwnj9716]

Oh boy, there are so many hidden themes or moments in the Shining, it really messes with your head. Honestly I find the scene with Dick & Danny very eerie, its just so quiet plus no music at all.

[@robag555]

Lots of weird distant background noises in that scene. Gives a sense of vast open space.

[@jwnj9716]

Indeed.

[@jerrycoob4750]

When Rob was comparing the deaths of the girls and Halloran, I noticed something interesting where the dramatic chord kicks in about one second _after_ Wendy sees the body, whereas when Danny saw the twin girls it was about one second prior.

[@favorit601]

3:18 it‘s The first time I realized the way of lightning the szene of the standing twins. The light is straight from above, making their eyes almost disappear and the eye-area look like a skull. I always wondered about the way, the body seems to bend a bit unnaturally to the back and makes a thick belly-torso area. But this is necessary to make the skull face appear without having too much shadow on the dress. If this would be the case, the scull face would not work. Unbelievable, how much arranged detail in production.

[@johntaylor7123]

Out of all the faults that you have extremely well pointed out from all your videos(and I’ve watched every one of them regarding The Shining) no one has ever pointed out that when O’grady spills the drink’s on Jack all the drinks on the serving tray spill yet when they walk into the men room by magic there’s 2 full drink’s on the tray,I’m happy I picked a fault that no one else has😊

[@leadcounsel4869]

I always liked this film but your brilliant insights on this film (and many others) really increased my enjoyment. The Shining is now one of my all-time favorite films and probably top pure 3 horror movies of all time.

[@natweiner8965]

Dude: how could anyone possibly remember that wallpaper?

[@mk-ultramags1107]

And before we SEE Jack throwing the ball against the wall, we HEAR it. Which really makes that sound dig into your subconscious. We see the pencils and cigarettes shaped and colored like a bloody axe. I mean, WOW. Can you find a film with as many legendary shots as there is in 'The Shining'? Every single scene has been imitated or paid homage to in one form or another. I actually loved Spielberg's homage in 'Ready Player One.' The fact is, 'The Shining' lives "Forever... And ever... And Ever." Ari Aster did a great job of foreshadowing in 'Hereditary', one of the few recent films where i can say it was actually used in a clever manner, rather than just being obvious. Its a tight rope to pull off. This video shows a ton of examples(Of course there are plenty more)in under 15min. When Kubrick set out to make the "Definitive Horror Film", he wasn't kidding! Another great video Rob.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

That's a brilliant observation about the pencil-cigarette-axe arrangement! I had to go back and look and, sure enough, there it was. I wonder if anyone else had ever noticed that before.

[@mk-ultramags1107]

@@andrewbrendan1579 , so many little details like that and people still think Kubrick didn't do them on purpose... I mean, what else does it take? He wasn't OBVIOUS but what he did was those great long takes that forced you to really look(And listen) at what he showed you. Zooming out slowly very often as well, so each detail played to the next. Allowing you time to decipher what you saw, a lot of which was unconsciously absorbed and lead to those "Ah-hah" moments later on, either during the film or after. I remember sitting up for hours after my first viewing of '2001', I literally couldn't sleep because I kept connecting little dots or just wondered why certain scenes and even just certain frames were sticking with me. How Kubrick was able to tell a story at surface level while having another underneath(Often, if not always more than one actually) was truly remarkable. It's what separates him from others. Hitchcock, John Ford as well as others did/do it, but none quite like Kubrick IMO. Hitchcock probably being the closest I'd say.

[@WalterMarks1]

Your analysis never disappoints, Thank you

[@jwnj9716]

By the way Rob, have you seen Session 9? Its a bit similar to the Shining. Some people think that Tony is the Tony the Tiger, when the doctor wants to know about the Tony, the tiger in the background isn't there. When Danny doesn't want to talk about Tony anymore, the tiger appears in the background. I honestly have no clue.

[@robag555]

Not sure if I've seen Session 9. And yes, there's a link in The Shining between Tony the Tiger and Danny's imaginary friend Tony.

[@jwnj9716]

Cool, you should check it out, its very creepy at times. I'm sure you can find so many hidden themes. Same director who made the Machinist.

[@hightreason7934]

I love Session 9; it's a genuinely frightening film based mostly on soundscapes (with most of the horror occurring offscreen), and a great homage to The Shining at the same time.

[@big61al41]

with every video you post about the shining the richer the texture of the film becomes

[@stephanecayouette9429]

in the very first scene of the movie as jack is walking from the receptionist to ullman's office you hear an unseen person using a typewriter

[@matthewferguson7084]

Halloran laying in bed, both lamphades have "seams" facing forward, foreshadowing the "seam" Jack puts in him....I didn't notice any other lamps like this

[@johnvincentstutes]

I love watching your film analysis! Very detailed and insightful. I am also a huge Kubrick fan as well. So many layers in his movies. Have you ever found out what Wendy means when she says to Danny, “The loser has to keep America clean!” I’ve looked into this and I can’t find anything on it. Thanks in advance!

[@GildaLee27]

The phrase 'Keep America Clean' is from a 1970s campaign against littering. I can remember seeing it on trash cans in public places like parks & city streets. Some TV commercials, PSAs, used that phrase as well. I never noticed Wendy saying this, likely because I just knew what she means. Loser has to pick up the trash.

[@natweiner8965]

Amazing how you respond to those who tell you how great you are and ignore your critics

[@MarkSashegyi]

I don't know if it's too obvious so it wasn't mentioned here, but Danny's bike ride also mirrors his run through the maze at the end, in that both instances are filmed as if the camera is pursing him around corners, but never fully letting him get out of sight.

[@douglas7656]

Love your videos Rob keep it up! Been enjoying your premium videos for quite awhile now as well.

[@clausschive2538]

Best movie ever.

[@terrortower666]

Claus Schive I agree. People who say it isn’t scary, are just crazy. For me it’s the most bone chilling movie I’ve ever seen.

[@akajkyt]

Terror Tower maybe if you don’t get any of the deeper themes it may seem like an ordinary horror film, but it’s so much more than that! I just rewatched it for it’s 40 year anniversary, that bathroom scene sent literal chills through my spine and that’s never happened before in any other film.

[@terrortower666]

AKAJK Yes I know what you mean but you can tell from the offset nothing is as it seems, especially latter key scenes, and of course the ending, but yeah I know what you mean. Me too, yeah that and the rest of the film, especially the build up is just amazing, never fails to give me ultimate goosebumps.

[@akajkyt]

@@terrortower666 It's my favorite horror film, top 10 just in general as well, but not my favorite Kubrick.

[@gamleskalle1]

White bread, white milk, white snow all symbolize the innocence of Danny.

[@thevlaka]

Lmfao wut

[@eidsongregory5795]

he has chocolate milk after he gets strangled though.

[@mihails.6398]

I'm hundred procent sure that his favourite sweet is white chocolate. This item must be somewere in the film, unnoticed untill now.

[@gamleskalle1]

@Nature and Physics ketchup red like blood

[@gamleskalle1]

@Nature and Physics i know, didnt comment them just the ketchup.

[@luigivercotti6410]

Yo Rob, I think I've said this another comment somewhere again, but here's a very little but tasteful bit of direction in this movie that I've always found ingeniously funny: Remember the shot where Jack looks at the hallway that's brimming with baloons and filled with 20s music? You know, before he goes to the gold room and meets Grady? Well, in that scene, if you haven't already, notice the particular, um, arrangement, of baloons near the elevator shaft identical to the one from the river of blood scene. If this is news to you, I think you'll be pretty happy, since it strongly hints at one of your propositions regarding the relatioonship between Jack and Danny...

[@luigivercotti6410]

As to the darts, I'm more inclined to believe it symbolizes Danny's/Tony's murderous plot, about which you've talked, which I suppose is weakly supported by his cvery confident walk over to th dartboard

[@shoujocafe6757]

It really is crazy how talented everyone who worked on this movie was!

[@TheJack2459]

Crazy how talented your mother is.

[@joyalshaji2730]

@@TheJack2459 go to bed early on schooldays

[@TheJack2459]

Your mother let's me stay up as late as I want. @@joyalshaji2730

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@TheJack2459 Quit drinking, Torrance

[@jvgilyard1126]

Could Jack shine? Both he and Danny never seem shocked by seeing ghosts or visions, only Wendy reacts the way a normal person would. Was Grady his Tony?

[@davidlean1060]

I remember being blown away by the rag doll/ Halloran thing when I read it in one of your essays first. It is not just any ole doll too. The fact it is a 'blacked up' doll, like Al Jolson gives it a race element. Amazing how Stanley could pack so many layers into one little prop. There was more in your essay too I recall, about the bulbs in the light fittings in the corridor and how some were lit in one shot and not in others. It is amazing you mention the music at the end in the maze. The music right at the beginning always makes me think of Danny making his very deliberate steps backwards in the snow as he tricks Jack into following him into the maze.

[@Robocopnik]

4:09 - She's also literally holding a camera, isn't she? It's like she's helping him practice for the chase at the end.

[@fahrmboy]

Fascinating parallels! I think the visions and foreshadowing in the film, particularly the last scene when the characters are no longer present, subtly suggest that we the viewers have shining abilities as well. This is kind of similar to your monolith/movie screen theory regarding 2001.

[@leoinsf]

Rob, I truly respect your consistently masterful reviews of "The Shining." Many people ignore the many layers of the Kubrick classic and just see it as a "horror movie." Anyone who is not analytical, cannot appreciate Kubrick's vision of King's book. Even King himself is clueless about what Kubrick was doing with his classic. Yes, King's book is a classic and he is a great writer, but Stanley Kubrick is a genius film maker who took the book to a much higher level. No, "The Shining" is not "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th." It is just not a simple horror movie. Even the musical score adds a marvelous dimension to the many layers of this movie. It is a shame that the analytical mind of Stephen King was not able to recognize that a master like Kubrick would not, let me repeat: would not set the novel as Stephen King envisioned it. Kubrick would create his own vision and that is exactly what he did. Accept it, buddy and accept the greatness of Stanley Kubrick!!!!

[@ChrisLeRose]

I totally agree with the music in the maze near the end sounding just like Danny's big-wheel. As soon as you said it, I heard the music in my head lining up perfectly with the wheels on the floor. Brilliant catch!

[@calvinpaschal4000]

What does Rose wear on her head? A big hat, one tall enough to cover her horns, while protecting her crown.

[@SirFooplesTheThird]

Are you going to talk about Doctor Sleep and it's relation to The Shining when it comes out?

[@anastasiabananastasia]

when does that come out?

[@SirFooplesTheThird]

Bananastasia sometime next year i believe

[@timperley69]

@@anastasiabananastasia November of this year

[@anastasiabananastasia]

kevin timperley thx should be interesting ..

[@Steffipantsify]

The wallpaper features prominently in dr sleep

[@sunnyscott4876]

My biggest problem with this movie is why would they go there just one day before closing? If you're going to look after this massive hotel for months during a brutal winter, it seems like you would come early and stay for at least a week while the staff is still around. You would have time to get oriented and organized, ask questions about the job, find your way around in this huge complex edifice and generally settle into a routine. It wouldn't cost the hotel anything there to have you there and you would be more likely to handle any problems that might arise once the staff has left. I really don't get the point of the process of the short orientation. Makes no sense to me.

[@northkansascityfilmco.6931]

Very interesting. I do remember hearing in a documentary that the sound during the tricycle scene came as a complete surprise. Carpet, floor, carpet, floor. The music in the snowy maze did seem to mock this sound. I had never really noticed or made that connection. I really enjoy these Shining videos. I hope there are more in the future.

[@victoriaevelyn3953]

If someone payed me to stay in a hotel alone all winter then I'm up for it just get away from people all winter win win just get in the biggest most comfortably bed and set up a games room on the biggest TV in the biggest room Sounds like a dream

[@secondbestpriest]

Unless it's this hotel!

[@mk-ultramags1107]

I feel like Danny throwing Darts is a subtle way of showing that Jack does shine. "Danny, you get tired of bombing the universe?"... Jack doesn't fully understand his shine. Halloran gets into this when talking to Danny.

[@AmandaDixson]

No- it's only really pictating 'like father, like son'. There really is nothing else to that.

[@drjohnson98]

Here is another possible spatial anomaly that I never noticed before despite have watched The Shining many times since its original release. When Danny sees the twins while riding his trike, he is seen going through the kitchen corridor, and making a right. At the next cut, which seems to imply it is what he sees as soon as he turns, he is shown to have turned into the carpeted and wall papered living quarters where he turns one more corner and sees the twins. But in the later climactic chase scene, also shown in this video, Wendy is shown walking through the same kitchen corridor and turning right and is seen peering from the kitchen corridor into the ground floor lobby, establishing that the kitchen is on the ground floor. In earlier scenes, when the Torrences arrive at the Overlook, they are shown climbing stairs with the hotel manager up to the living quarters, establishing that the wall papered twin hallway in the living quarters is on the second floor or above. Either the scene where Danny appears to turn from the kitchen corridor into the twin hallway is another intentional spatial anomaly or the implication is simply that he has biked all over the overlook, including taking his trike to the upper floors to ride around and the interval between the kitchen hallway and the twin hallway is not shown. But the way it is edited doesn't feel like that was the intention. Maybe the implication is that not only are there fixed spatial anomalies in the Overlook (the impossible window in the hotel manager's office), but also shifting ones, in other words, paths in the Minotaur's maze can change.

[@DatsWhatXiSaid]

In the opening scene, as the first shot comes to a close at around 15 sec, a cliff face near the water is visible, this is the same cliff face in the awesome shot that starts at 45 sec in when the camera gets real close to the car. You can tell they're the same shot by the mountains on the left.

[@Adam-ov5ie]

I'm not convinced by many of the 'subliminals' in this analysis. Kubrick included plenty of subtlety into his visuals but it's easy to then extrapolate that to mean almost everything is an example of subliminal referencing. For example,the part about the axe coming through the door and it giving the impression of Wendy being cut down minus the blood. That could be true and it's rather interesting. It could also be true that the shape of the room dictated the placement of the camera. Wendy could only hide on that side of the room, there was nowhere else for her to go and so nowhere else for the camera to be to shoot the scene. I actually think this bit of analysis is maybe one of the strongest parts of the video, but even so, it's one of those things that might be overanalysed. Also, the throwing of the ball against the wall was apparently Nicholson's idea. The script just said something along the lines of 'Jack is not working'. This of course is what analysis is all about but with enough determination you can interpret anything as...anything.

[@falcon048]

So, I went through the film recently a few times to see what details I could find and was surprised that I found details not spoken about. First of all, did anyone notice that in the Torrence's apartment, it is littered with books. There are books stacked all over the place. There is even a baseball on a shelf next to books. One possible peice of foreshadowing is in the shot where the doctor is talking with Wendy. Prominently displayed on the table is a newspaper with big letters that read, "Illness as a Metaphor" directly across is a book with the title "Wish Child." There are also books directly above the doctor's head. It is plausible this means something. Finaly, why hasn't anyone pointed out that when Jack axes through the right panel of the door, it is clear of debris enough to put his head through, but after we cut from Halloran coming up the mountain, we see that Jack has axed through the left side of the bathroom door and now the right side has debris in the shape of a V or an X.

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

Speaking of the shock music when Danny sees the twins, some people might recall "The Shining" playing at a drive in theatre in the film "Twister" and while did notice the drum beat coming in a second before the twins appeared on camera, in "Twister", the audio of the scene is out of sync with the footage from the film.

[@waynegoddard4065]

The scene with the knives above Danny's head also has an Exit sign to the right which may be trying to say GET OUT while you still can.

[@Spudcore]

Well-observed, particularly the tricycle-on-wooden-floor sound resembling the music when Jack pursues Danny through the maze.

[@zakerymizell8838]

Hey Rob is there a meaningful distinction between fore shadowing and parallelism?

[@datinsky69]

Great job. Curious, do you think the Big Red Book by Jung on Ullman's desk is foreshadowing?

[@captbill279]

Remember when Danny was throwing darts? Was he that miserable of a shot? Was he even looking at the girls whe he spins around or was he looking at where his darts landed...in the parallel/reverse dimensional game room he has found himself in? See the Ourobus above the girls? That is the dart board in the parallel/reverse dimension... or the spiritual realm. Now google image search "jung red book dragon" and you get this i.pinimg.com/originals/13/8e/9c/138e9ca6032b08a15c5ca13a7f4da171.jpg See the river of blood? Maybe that was a dragon hand that flowed out of the elevator blood... Isaiah 27 [1] In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. [2] In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRm7Gz_D9mUF7th0zb9zTV-ezQAR3ro6q7wKK9EMsJvNyw5Cu8u&s

[@rjsweda]

great insight, your videos helpful for writing, directing screenplays bringing subliminal things together. thanks. either you or someone else I read spoke how when danny sees 2 girls in game room, poster of shadowed skier on wall looks scary as if stabbing down at them to subliminally foreshadow implant their stabbing axing. the density of info in Kubrick's visuals amazing!!! thanks for great video

[@tylerdurden7500]

10.04. The darts that Danny are throwing are a foreshadow as they're red darts, but more importantly is the foreshadowing of Jack and the beginning of the baseball bat scene with Wendy. There is a deliberate a strong silhouette of Jack in that scene which is foreshadowed in the Monarch skiing poster on the wall in the games room. I know you say it has other connotations too.

[@RedCatHabitat]

Love you stuff on The Thing, cant wait to see where your Shining work goes!!

[@drumstick74]

Kubrick was a real artist and nothing was a coincidence. This masterpiece movie is an example of his genius, there are so many layers to examine. The soundtrack is also the best score I've heard for a horror movie.

[@jimmyl324]

My favorite movie

[@snappergapp1283]

Same

[@amberlynnweed1337]

same thankfully other people feel this way too

[@Coypop]

The tricycle+music combo oh man good ear.

[@luigivercotti6410]

here's another musical clue, much more obvious, but maybe it's new to you: When Jack loses Danny in the maze, sounds akin to laughter are twice heard. I think it indicates the satisfaction of all the grieved parties, past and present, of vengeance against their oppresors. Whatcha think?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

There's a 'noisy floor' scene in _2001_ as well: the stargate sequence's cloud reflections on calm water.

[@headninjadog8120]

Rob’s voice is perfect for horror movie analysis

[@ellroylynchbowie678]

The red hallway before Wendy's river of blood vision at the end is also a "fictional" place. In fact, it's the same green corridor behind the reception area repainted. Maybe that's how the corridor looks like in the 1920's...

[@tomnorton4277]

The Overlook's layout keeps changing throughout the movie, making it impossible for one to make a map of it. Walls changing colour isn't nearly as much of a stretch as changing location altogether.

[@eaglewinnings8003]

Hey Rob. Love the videos. Question: Is the heavy breathing at the start of the video and whenever there’s reading material intentional or just to add to the creepiness of these videos! Thanks!

[@deborahromilly2766]

Kubrick caused Shelly Duvall to have a very severe nervous breakdown, pushing her so hard she was never the same.

[@tomnorton4277]

Kubrick was a genius but he was also an asshole.

[@roddunne]

1:09 Just spotted the original yellow poster with the startled face has those eyes foreshadowed elsewhere in Shining - the bears eyes in Dannys medical examination early on + the floor-indicators about the lifts in the river of blood scene.

[@juanmanuelbaccino]

I think the scene of the three of them in the car going to the overlook hotel. It is very important. especially in the gestures and how Jack says things. How he looks at his son who is standing in the middle of them without a seat belt. That is an act of rebellion that Jack is aware of and allows. But what he can't stand is the intrusion of his son's words. It bothers him a lot and he makes it noticeable. Then the scene ends talking about the alienation of television. Cartoons sounds and tv are strategically placed in the film. like the news of the disappearance of a woman named Susan Roberts in the Aspen Mountains.

[@carabe197]

Can't remember from your previous videos on the clothing Mister Ager, but did you mention the fact that the mother is wearing same color clothes (red jacket, blue pants, light brown shoes and blue shirt) while she is playing with Danny as Jack wears during his ax craze? And she even has her jacket open when she is chasing Danny around, saying "I'm gonna get you" I think you did but it has been long time.

[@jaydee2189]

Great work excellent finding those details. appreciate your Chanel

[@luigivercotti6410]

no5

[@ClockworkGearhead]

There's a theory going around that The Shining was all imagined, or, rather, they were all events that Jack wrote in his book. He was taking inspiration from the personal worries he had in his life, like his child having mental issues, his lack of attraction to his wife, his drinking, etc...

[@hightreason7934]

One little bit I've always liked: In the novel, Hallorann flies a Boeing 747 to Denver. In the film, he flies a McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The DC-10 had a very negative reputation in the media at the time, and in 1979 had been involved in the deadliest air crash in U.S. history. Could Kubrick, given his admitted fear of flying, have been slyly hinting at Hallorann's fate by associating him with a plane that the media was calling a "deathtrap" at the time? Maybe or maybe not, but I like the idea.

[@tammyblack2747]

Re-watching this video now it just occurred to me to wonder why all the lights in all of the hallways are always on. Wouldn’t that be a huge waste of electricity with no guests for all those months? And there was no need for the Torrances is to be in those hallways since they were just taking care of the hotel while it was empty, not doing house cleaning for empty hotel rooms. Also there is one section of that red hallway that Wendy was in right before she finds Halloran where the lights are out. I wonder why Kubrick shot that scene that way.

[@manuelkong10]

I TOTALLY agree with the tricycle-maze music thing....good call! wonderful video!

[@jaxxmariecambridge5212]

Gosh IDK. A lot of this makes sense but some just seems like reaching. I watched your video on the sexual abuse theory behind The Exorcist and THAT seriously blew my mind! Totally makes sense.....