Stephen King doesn't like Kubrick's The Shining

[@newdefsys]

Shelly Duval deserves a lot more credit for her work in The Shinning.

[@jimbob9086]

You mean “Shining”? (Shh! Wanna get sued?)

[@chandie5298]

Duval's performance was the standout performance. Jack is simply playing Jack.... Compare his work in The Shining to Joker in Batman. A different character that is mostly the same. Jack plays Jack in nearly all of his roles and people like it, but he is a very one dimensional actor. Now compare Duval's character in The Shining to her character in Popeye, for instance. HUGE variation in her characters. She is completely underrated. Her performance in The Shining was stellar.

[@Paperdrag0zzzz]

Agreed I think she was much, much more then king said she was, she was a very important character to the movie

[@bretkirk3516]

I agree with king it's not close to the book

[@XavierZaee]

@@chandie5298I agree

[@deedeetee17]

Shelly was amazing as Wendy; real, vulnerable, abused, but she stood up to Jack and she triumphed in protecting her baby- GO WENDY!!!

[@nisselarson3227]

That flew over Stephen King's ego-inflated head.

[@deedeetee17]

Because he had a sexy blonde in his head - not a vulnerable but ultimately strong brunette. King is so shallow. Nobody remembers Rebecca De Mornay. NOBODY. But everyone remembers Shelly.

[@shooshatowers8059]

She stood up for herself and her child despite being nearly petrified with terror. They both outwitted him and survived.

[@jrambo7495]

May she rest in peace.

[@Mjlover7-com.]

Pretty sure stephen king was actually criticising Stanley kubrick for directing shelley like that as the character Wendy is very different in the book

[@MatMat-qi2rd]

The Shining coldness is part of its magic. And Ms Duvall is simply perfect for the role.... breathtakingly beautiful

[@cw4623]

He didn't mind her looks. Geez. He had a problem with the way the character's personality was portrayed.

[@jrambo7495]

May she rest in peace.

[@LeeCourtney-z5n]

Breathtakingly beautiful I?Huh? What?

[@LexieEclectic]

Agreed I think it was a deliberate choice. It doesn't have to be relatable or have warmth to be good.

[@tofuwiener]

@@LeeCourtney-z5n yes genius, people have different tastes in others. i think she's pretty.

[@RegentStatue745]

A great example of different perspectives between an author and a director on what makes a good story

[@SarahNGeti]

Stephen King needs to stick to books, he is not good at Movies, you simply cannot compare the two. He is a great writer but not a great director of film.

[@LUCCI_25]

@@SarahNGeti he does stick to books. It’s his books that get adapted to movies. Many great ones intact

[@SarahNGeti]

@@LUCCI_25 His movies turn into a long drawn out disaster because he tries to make the movie fit too closely to the book. I am talking about when he tries to direct the movie or micro-manage it, look at "The Stand". Yes when a director interprets his idea into a movie it works well, but they are 2 completely different artforms and nothing alike.

[@naadirbuffy7892]

And yet they both are right

[@mercutiomurphy2743]

Kubrick > than Stephen King

[@SunBunz]

“Scream and be stupid.” Damn, Steve! I saw her as human, vulnerable, terrified and did anything she could to protect herself and her son. Shelly did an awesome job, imo. Doubly so having to put up with Stanley’s abuse the entire time, hospitalizing her from all the trauma, screaming, running and hyperventilating.

[@nathanoppy]

Compared to the character in the book though, she is dumb. You must have only seen the movie

[@SunBunz]

@derykhenderson5187 damn…I’m sorry to hear that. If your father was anything like Jack Torrence. 😳

[@SunBunz]

@derykhenderson5187 agreed.

[@jengatower]

Its his story I respect his right to have creative differences with the film maker but, she’s screaming because she’s utterly terrified for her and her sons lives???? It’s called acting realistically

[@SunBunz]

@@jengatower no shit. And I agree. That was harsh AF. But whatever. I love the book and the movie for different reasons. Either way, he got paid. lol

[@ManuelGuzman067]

Shelly Duvall should of received an Oscar for her role as Wendy Torrance in The Shining sad how underrated she was and she was an incredible actress RIP 🌹

[@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427]

She got a raspberry though

[@AguyR1401]

Yeah Shelley truly had an historic career by being in so many great films such as The Shining and.. others

[@nusmacronus]

Wow, didn’t know she was dead🙁

[@eunhagloss]

She was actually labeled as the worst actress after this movie came out but i thought she did really great

[@joeuser633]

And you should *have* received an F in 3rd grade grammar, assuming you made it that far.

[@rozzer666]

The shining is one of the best films ever made in my opinion. The coldness is what makes it disturbing

[@rustyshackelford7651]

Meh just seemed like a generic horror movie to me. It's hard to watch after reading the book because all the differences between the book and the movie are so glaring.

[@gabrielklushkan2438]

@@rustyshackelford7651 movie is different book

[@capndallas4918]

​@Rusty Shackelford what the hell's a book?

[@Sammy123ABC]

@@rustyshackelford7651 there is so much meaning in the shining it’s insane. It’s not just a horror film and it most certainly wasn’t generic. It was far from generic.

[@i..9339]

​@@rustyshackelford7651how on earth is it generic? Out of all the random adjectives you can use as criticism you pick that one lol. And is does it differing from the book negative? It's not like the book is objectively perfect and any derivation from it is a mistake. In fact I'd say the movie is a lot more interesting

[@johncase2408]

The book is brilliant. The movie 🎥 is a horror masterpiece. Be proud of both.

[@ballwreck1139]

He can't........the feeling was changed and so the message

[@rigormortis3219]

when someone alters your work it gets kind of annyoing

[@johncase2408]

I'm sure there's a certain dichotomy of both pride and resentment. But, whether you like it or not, the movie has been influential in the book's success. Perhaps, Kubrick should have given the movie a different title. I don't know, but neither will you.

[@mizzjade2052]

​@@johncase2408 regardless your literally saying that this man's feelings about something need to change because you said so lol 😂

[@johncase2408]

Oh brother, it's the 'Woke Patrol.'

[@Rachel-zw9sl]

RIP Shelley

[@theultimitelifeform8548]

The thing about the book is that jack was very kind and didn’t feel unhinged so when he goes crazy at the hotel it’s very obviously “oh the ghost are making him crazy” but in the movie he’s almost always so tense and irritable. So you have to wonder how much is the hotel and how much is jack. It feels way more believable that way and I really like it personally

[@LukasOfTheLight]

Agreed. The horror is in Jack and the hotel becomes a whirlpool around that. Much creepier than "hotel makes nice guy mad", for me.

[@DenkyManner]

First time I properly watched it i didn't like it because he was already bad before he got to the hotel. Second time I realised how genius it was to make him already bad before he reaches the hotel. The hotel is the crucible of white, male, misogynistic, racist violent imperialism, not a ghost house that takes over innocent people. It's an expression of something deep and evil within humanity

[@gorgandlovingit]

Did you read the book? Jack is an abusive alcoholic way before they even get to the hotel. The only reason they go to the hotel in the first place is because Jack got fired for assaulting a high school kid. Jack broke Danny’s arm way before they got to the hotel.

[@comment15]

You obviously didn't read the book, because it's obvious from the start that Jack is a disturbed person, with deep seethed anger issues. He has been violent multiple times before even going to the hotel. In fact he has to take the job at the hotel because he was fired from his job as a teacher for assaulting a student. He is a man with an enormous ego, and it's because of his narcissism that the hotel is easily able to manipulate him.

[@wesleydraves1281]

Well it more than the ghosts just making him crazy they just abused his flaws and made him believe he was in the right and that Danny and Wendy were trying to harm him and the book shows how are mistake like a tiny rip in a piece of paper can be ramped up to 1,000 , tearing the paper in half, by just a single external source

[@joemahoney7870]

The reality is, like it or not, the film is one of the most multi-layered and holistic horror movies ever released. I’m not surprised King didn’t like it, because Kubrick is the only fucker in the world that could make his work more disturbing.

[@Destinyirus278]

Nothing annoys me more than the Shelly slander. That girl helped make the shining & she was so ab*sed during the filming that she made a mental breakdown & ended up homeless living in her car & now she’s passed away.. it’s heartbreaking af

[@agnoopinni]

It's so sad to think of how alone she ended up at the end of her life. But I think it's probably a good thing, rather than being surrounded by Hollywood types.

[@kristinab1078]

@@agnoopinni On a happier note, Shelly Duvall was never homeless. She returned to Texas to be near her family after leaving Hollywood. Her long-term partner Dan Gilroy (from the Breakfast Club band) met her in 1990 and they stayed together for 35 years until her death. Her three brothers are still alive. Fortunately, she didn't die alone.

[@somecontrol268]

I don’t think he meant to slander Shelley Duvall. I just think he is saying that her part was underwritten.

[@melissacole1821]

What happened to her was heartbreaking but she was still a terrible actress.

[@QuadrupleAndy]

She wasn't abused.

[@cecilstehelin1277]

I think Wendy in the movie is perfect. If you were trapped alone with an axe wielding psycho you’d be a blubbering mess. But through the whole thing she fights for her child even though she’s afraid. That’s true bravery

[@marianadelgado5449]

Tell me you didn't read the book without telling me you didn't read the book

[@comment15]

@@marianadelgado5449 They explicitly mention the film in their comment so probably not, but any excuse to recycle some internet speak towards them I guess? I've read the book though, and the one main difference is that he describes her as hot with big jugs. Also it's an adaption, not a recreation, something which King has never quite grasped.

[@chelsealavaya7263]

​@marianadelgado5449 tell me you have no language arts or reading background without telling me you have no reading or language arts background 😂😂😂😂

[@IamSaralinka]

@@comment15 Adding to this, not saying Steve is bad at writing women characters in his novels or anything. But he shouldn’t go around boasting about writing interesting woman characters when he needed his wife’s help with this very same thing in his original draft of Carrie.

[@jissmol8738]

​@@IamSaralinka i don't think it's a bad thing to ask women for help when he's going to write female characters, it's better than doing it on his own and doing it terribly (and that's what a lot of male writers do). especially for carrie since it was a story that involved female puberty

[@leviathannephilim7769]

The beautiful thing about watching movies based on books is you can go back to the original source & have a whole new experience.

[@jesustovar2549]

I discovered many wonderful books through watching movie adaptations first, if it weren't for The Shining movie I wouldn't have read the book, in fact that's how I discovered Stephen King and this applies to the rest of his work.

[@johnrife7134]

Absolutely. I feel that way about remakes. It doesn't make the original go away.

[@clayjack9969]

@@jesustovar2549 that’s actually how I like to go about experiencing movie adaptations of books. Movie first, then book. Cause it’s easy to cast aside the expectations for the book when I have the movie in my head but harder for me to do the opposite. I did that for Trainspotting and enjoyed that a lot.

[@crackheadbiden7269]

Great point

[@brodylockwood14]

Not for me...I ruined Lord of the rings books for myself because as I was reading, I was just imagining the scenes from the films.

[@wyattthefilmguy]

“And be stupid” meanwhile, Stephen King’s movie version of Wendy slipped on a ball that SHE THREW

[@danjun7986]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Bobs2cents]

The opening of the movie was unforgettable! The music, the drive through desolation and throughout the movie Jack Torrance’s blank stares into eternity. All characters to me were great. The Shining is truly terrifying and mesmerizing. One of the greatest movies, ever!

[@sjla2009]

I just hope they don't attempt a remake on it. They seem to be doing this with a lot of films recently. It will never be the same.

[@Detroit-1980]

🏆💯🏆 I like King's books, but I'm so tired of hearing him trash the movie. If Stanley Kubrick had done it according to the book, the movie wouldn't be the icon it is today. Kubrick did an amazing job & King should stop with the negativity, get over it 🤦🏽

[@StrangeLuv117]

There's a reason King's an author and Kubrick's a director

[@kathybrem880]

Kubrick sucks

[@richardcranium5801]

No you

[@rot26-o3h]

​@kathybrem880 you're delusional and a bum irl.

[@owengibby]

Yeah but that doesn’t relate to anything. If you’ve read the shining the movie is not a good adaptation at all. Still an amazing movie

[@harrybaker9044]

Kubrick is dead.

[@TroyKnight12]

That’s what makes the shining so good, it’s bitter and cold. You can feel the intense atmosphere throughout the movie because of how isolated the overlook hotel is. It really terrifies you.

[@Venmaylove]

Wrong. The simplest way to make a horror movie is not to cast any fluffy cats in it. Notice how every normal movie has fluffy cats. That's the secret formula. Kubrick learnt it from Hitchcock

[@matthewfarmer9500]

Shelly Duval’s character seemed to do exactly what some women would do. She underplays the abuse he does because it’s easier if she does that. But she still fights for her son’s life, even though she still has strong feelings for husband. She is one of the few actresses that can portray terror well.

[@sophiecooper1824]

​it's not about her performance, he was criticizing the character because in his book she had a backbone and stood up to her husband when he was in the wrong but the movie made her a grey mouse who is afraid of her own shadow.

[@TheHyena-ru8bz]

I read the book before I watched the film and can say that it was one of my favorite books. I also watched the film after and that too ended up being one of my favorite films. Both are pieces of art

[@MarcIverson]

I read the book too. Deadly dull until page 52. Fantastic thereafter. Counseled many friends to just make it to 52. They all thanked me for it, as it was SO hard to get there. Saw the movie at least a dozen times since then, 9 times in the first month of its opening.

[@28russ]

One knew how to write a great book and the other knew how to make an amazing movie.

[@burntblonde2925]

Me too, both are favorites of mine

[@ForrestCooper-ih1ds]

I also think in the book, Jack had a much bigger character plot and felt like a character that wasn’t actually evil he was just a man who had made stupid mistakes and the hotel uses those mistakes against him. Jack wasn’t the villain, the overlook was. The movie didn’t feel like that

[@grahamdrummond2412]

That opening scene & that music, majestic

[@disf5178]

The wailing of the natives in the background of the music... Eerie 😱

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Wendy, formerly Walter Carlos.

[@kungfew1396]

It's a terrifying mind bender of a movie and it's obvious cold and dread was Kubricks aim and he did it masterfully.

[@SteveTheGhazaRooster]

I think it'd be a sad life not being able to appreciate the film much. It's a classic that stands out from every other horror movie.

[@jondrew55]

Virtually every author who sold their work to Kubrick for a movie was not happy with the result. Arthur C Clarke and Kubrick co-wrote 2001 as the movie was being made, but there were still differences between them. Gustav Hasford was not at all pleased with Kurbrick's Full Metal Jacket. And Vladimir Nabokov described Kubrick's movie version of his novel "Lolita" as "like watching a train wreck in slow motion".

[@Fraughtful]

The shining was a personal story about Kings struggle with drinking right? That's why he took it so personally. Not artistic jealousy at all.

[@JohnFWitt]

Yeah. I think a lot of the commenters here have not read the book, lol. Both are good. The book's ending I think was particularly personal to King, and was one of the parts he was most upset about having been changed. The movie doesn't really give him that moment of clarity where he fights the possession / "alcoholism" long enough for his family to save themselves. Seeing alcoholism destroy his family is what motivated King to stop drinking. So I would agree. I don't see artistic jealousy being much of a factor here, especially since he admits there are many parts of the movie he does like and that he's a fan of Kubrick in general.

[@dionmcgee5610]

He's a writer. He doesn't like people messing with his creations. Kubrick is Kubrick. I've read the book 4 times and I have no idea how many times I've watched the Shining. i went the opening week when it came out with my stepfather and had to explain what happened in the movie to him after. I have to admit his confusion was half of the fun. He wasn't alone.

[@grey_f98]

This makes me all the more happier that The Shining does not try to paint Jack as sympathetic. Abusers shouldn't be.

[@MrSeedi76]

​@EducatedBrutethat's what I'm thinking. Maybe Kubrick was a bit too subtle about the supernatural elements and the hotel itself being possessed but it definitely is. The impossible geometry of the floor layout itself makes it clear. But that's a detail I had missed completely if it wasn't for the analysis in the documentary "Room 237". Many of the rooms cannot be were they actually are. The "gold room" is also a mystery and we never see where it's even located.

[@a.tevetoglu3366]

@@JohnFWitt I guess Kubrick knew about King's ''demons'' more than King himself. That must feel ...cold.

[@kevinharvey7139]

STEPHEN KING was the Acrchitect of such a magnificent structure and Kubric was the builder - both geniuses

[@dannygreen592]

Good thing King didn't direct The Shining. The movie was incredible and it's thanks to Kubrick.

[@loganking4353]

The shining movie is a 10/10

[@BourneKnight]

Yeah, sorry Stephen King, we all loved it. 😎Lol

[@simonbennett6202]

​@@BourneKnightSpeak for yourself, it's probably one of the worst king adaptations. People praise Kubrick's work to show off but they're just repeating what the mob is saying. It's not a good movie.

[@UrMomIsMyGirlfriend]

@@simonbennett6202Stephen king isn’t even that good an author pal. Literally makes pop horror books for a massive audience. He has a great mind and cool ideas, but Kubrick’s adaptation is genuinely better than anything he’s ever written

[@Meee261]

Lies@@simonbennett6202

[@joeb5080]

@@simonbennett6202 People praise it because it's an excellent movie, and rightfully don't give a fuck that it's not a faithful adaptation. I'm glad it's not. Kubrick's story is better.

[@Mark-lj1dj]

Ironically Kubrick probably did more for kings reputation than any other person. Kings name is associated with one of the greatest movies ever made even though only the bare bones of his novel are in the film. Kubrick's adaptation works better on screen than the novel ever could, as proved by the mini series

[@bigpun7916]

Yeah kings self directed version of the mini series was horrendous , not scary and a bit of a joke . Unwatchable .

[@jameshw9751]

The whole novel is in the movie. What are you talking about?

[@pilapila183]

@@jameshw9751 it's definitely not

[@Mark-lj1dj]

@@ArcanumAscent true but Carrie has never been as iconic and talked about as The Shining. I don't think any movie in history has been scrutinised and debated about as much as The Shining

[@mattlord97]

​@Mark-lj1dj I absolutely love the shining and kubrick is my favourite Director but it is definitely not the most discussed movie of all time, not even close to it

[@lopatton6936]

I love both interpretations. The book is telling a tragic story of a family coming undone and it's quite sad. The movie is a striking and haunting story but you don't get a chance to see how much they all really loved each other.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Weeeell, being realistic, a sociopathic wife beater DOES NOT have the CAPACITY to love anything. Read Lundy Bancroft. He's got zero capacity to love anything.

[@susanhardie5440]

Both the book and the movie are exceptional 😊

[@TheSaltydog07]

The movie broke my heart. I hated everything about it, the cold sterileness that King hated also. And to top it off, Kubrick kills Hallorann and turns the film into a popcorn slasher film.

[@anapauladepretto1280]

@@TheSaltydog07 , Kubrick, the genius who directed 2001 and many other masterpiece? Oh, I got it. Steve King who???

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

Boy, the camera staying with the axe into the door is simply scary as hell.

[@pilapila183]

He doesn't have an axe at all in the book. He doesn't even say "Here's Johnny" ever. They're very different

[@jarrhoo]

Yup, as if he's striking Wendy with every blow.

[@ccaatthheerriinnee]

There’s a theory that the camera is the hotel’s ghostly presence, and that the camera moving with the axe is the hotel’s influence and power contributing to jack’s madness

[@isolabarge4196]

it’s so sharp and unique it creates a lot of visual interest

[@ShanteBarze1950]

No the part with The Woman In the tub who Johnny, thought was dead, she gets out an chases him is scary.

[@VegasViking420]

Scream and be stupid?!? She's TERRIFIED and CONFUSED!!

[@LadyPallas]

He may not like how Kubrick depicted it but it’s still one of my favorite films!!

[@padzzz9377]

I have never ever in my 47 years existence heard anybody associate «Here’s Johnny!» with Stephen King. Ever!

[@jedijones]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing.

[@SJNaka101]

Yeah, I think people think of the shining much more as a "Kubrick film" or "jack Nicholson movie" than a "Stephen King film"

[@padzzz9377]

@@SJNaka101 Or Johnny Carson Show from which «Here’s Johnny!» line originally is from😅

[@dougwhiley4028]

I think it was a reference to the intro of the Johnny Carson Show.

[@lanawarzynski6944]

I thought the same thing

[@gc2161]

He is right, the book draws you in. Every time I picked it up I was there in the hotel. The book is a masterpiece.

[@thenamesloca]

As a huge fan of both the book and the movie, I find I best can reconcile(not sure if this is the word I'm looking for) the insane differences of both as just keeping them complete seperate entities. As if neither is in association with the other. Then, they are both their own masterpieces and I love them better for it. If I were to compare either to the other it just wouldn't make sense. I do understand SK feelings because it's his baby 😅 I think a lot of authors would feel the same but then again, that's why they aren't out making movies. Rambled and out of order thoughts just to say, they're both awesome by themselves.

[@rickmcarthur7265]

Well said.

[@jesustovar2549]

To think that Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King share the same initials: SK.

[@thenamesloca]

@@jesustovar2549 oh wow, that went right over my head. 😅

[@shmikeyify]

Have you seen the made for TV shining. It's longer and explains the hotel a bit better

[@thenamesloca]

@@shmikeyify never seen it, I'll have to check it out

[@williamhayes2960]

The Shining is one of my all-time favorite novels and Kubrick's adaptation, though no-doubt unfaithful, is one of my favorite horror movies. There's just no other movie like it. It's so unique.

[@sjla2009]

I said this too 👍

[@Detroit-1980]

🏆💯🏆 I read the novel & saw the movie, but the movie changed my career path in life. It left an impact on me & my brother that still surfaces today. I just wish King would stop with the Kubrick Hate, the entire world knows he doesn't like the movie.... We get it.

[@ralphgehteha9924]

One of the most fantastic movies of all time to me. The remake closer to the novel didn't cut it at all.

[@carmengogeidnas9670]

I've read several Stephen King books..I did not find any of them to be 'warm'. In fact I'd say the opposite, he has a very dry, calculated, reporter-like style that is usually devoid of emotion. Feels like reading a newspaper article Edit: I think his journalistic style is why he is so successful in writing about the supernatural. It's the contrast between his 'matter-of-fact' style and the supernatural subject matter than makes the story feel authentic!

[@ShortRound42]

Probably what Kubrick saw in them too and channeled that into his adaptation.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Weird because that's not what I get out of them. I find his books to be very immersive. He's great at settings and world building.

[@John-sr2hr]

I don't agree with that, I'm reading Misery right now and it's very immersive. Puts you right in bed with Paul and makes you connect and feel for him. Very "warm" feeling like King said

[@NOMACABLE]

That's not what I got out of it. Many of his books are immersive, especially his earlier works. You're right there with Jack and his family. And that final unmasking part was so great. Jack in the book is a victim. In the movie, he goes full villain. Even in the sequel, Jack is a bit of a hero. I won't spoil it for anyone. I did hear that the book is rooted in his own families struggles with alcohol.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

@@carmengogeidnas9670 you need to read pet sematary then. Several pages are dedicated to describing how louis stays in a drunken stupor to numb the reality that his kid was killed

[@OstaraBooks]

I love The Movie. It was the one and only movie that scared me. Nothing else can stand as tall.

[@josephdarkhelmet9494]

I didn't think it was scary. In fact. I hated it the first time I saw it. But something kept pulling me back to the movie. It stays with you. It haunts you. The misogyny, the unreliable narration, the debate if it's psychological or haunted. And the iconic images, one after the other. Many layers. Now, after many viewings, it's in my all-time top 10. Kubricks Shining calls to me, haunts my dreams, Stephen's book doesn't.

[@keithrogers2295]

Misogyny? How is that even in the conversation? I don’t get it?

[@Mr.Honest247]

I always hate talking about scary movies with people. There’s always those “tough” people who are like, “That wasn’t even scary” followed by some passive aggressive judgement. I noticed those types of people always lack a good imagination. It takes a wild imagination to truly appreciate good horror stories.

[@josephdarkhelmet9494]

Halloween didn't scare you? The Exorcist didn't scare you? Does the OG Friday the 13th didn't scare you? Pooty Tang didn't scare you?

[@gray9606]

@@josephdarkhelmet9494They are overdone slashers. They are predictable to anyone who knows anything about movies.

[@Podgey25]

Like ALL BOOKS turned into movies.. You can NEVER beat the book and the power of our imagination,too❤

[@AuroraLupetti]

Lord of the Rings. To Kill A Mockingbird. Gone With the Wind. Forrest Gump. Some have succeeded in bringing the books to life with success and respect for the source. Most don’t.

[@bodawei425]

I did not read the book but I think the movie is a masterpiece.

[@khbkcbdck]

From beginning to the end It has the Best cinematography ever!

[@michaelreay6992]

It is

[@sonny9493]

​@@khbkcbdck Worth a watch on shrooms

[@josephfarrier3978]

Honest to God the book scared the crap outta me i read it in prison

[@randomlyfactual1943]

The book is too. Where King gets it wrong, is that some things just doesn't translate to film all that well

[@membear]

Here's Johnny wasn't even in the book it was improvised by Jack Nicholson and Kubrick did not even know the reference because he lived in England at the time.

[@Harry_Styles_Prince_of_Cali]

and you know this how

[@iwantafennec9577]

The tv miniseries that is faithful to novel is virtually unwatchable. I never understood King’s or anyone else’s criticism of Duval. Her performance made the movie. Jack Nicholson was Jack Nicholson, no real variation from any other performance, but Ms. Duval showed depth and nuance and range and versatility.

[@rosannaanisi4642]

One of my favourite movies of all time. Can’t count how many times I’ve watched it .

[@siding8]

Absolutely love the movie! Cinematic masterpiece!

[@francisbaxter4663]

The irony is that this is by far the best adaptation of a Stephen King story, and it’s not even close.

[@CheezYtEdition]

A hotel that freezes is way more horrifying than a hotel that burnd

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I'm bothered by lack of 5.00 boiler release valves...

[@garthlyon]

One of Kubrik’s feats in The Shining was to make a scary movie…in broad daylight.

[@TheSilverwing999]

I completely get where stephen king comes from here personally

[@gnosis555]

Kubrick - master of the cold horror abyss the family is sucked in to. Atmosphere beyond belief, rhythm of escalating dread and horror until that horrific culmination. Kubrick did great at his stab at the horror genre. One of the best haunted house films ever.

[@Lone432345]

Technically its a Haunted Resort.

[@seanohalloran384]

King and Kubrick are both geniuses. As a fan of both of them I think it’s great that there’s two versions of The Shining.

[@androod6211]

Imagine being successful in your own field, yet not being able to give credit to a work of adaptation genius. You cannot recreate a novel faithfully in film, the film is its own thing. The Shining film is one of the best films ever.

[@sanddab]

A movie with some great moments, but I’m not a fan of the entire piece. Nicholson was miscast (IMO). The character is supposed to slowly go mad, but Jack looks insane from the very first frame.

[@Chez114]

That little boy grew up to be Louie CK

[@JennyJeong425]

Ha! He does look a bit like Louis CK.

[@Sarklaser]

I thought he grew up to be General Kenobi

[@purplesamurai5205]

@@Sarklaser He did, from a certain point of view.

[@cordyceps420]

Shelly Duval should have gotten an Oscar

[@infiniteuniverse123]

Wendy outsmarted Jack and escaped with Danny unharmed. She was far from weak

[@albaniahenry-franklin2829]

To be fair, Stephen's description of Kubrick's movie as "cold" is 100% correct, AND the reason the movie is so d*mn thrilling, suspenseful, and outright horrific! I read the original story and did view the TV mini-series, which is closer to the book, and I found it to "comic booky" with the visuals and story presentation, not scary at all.

[@dorisfaulkner9721]

Yep.. It seems like they didn’t even try to capture the depth of the characters in the movie. And why change the ending? It’s a shame that the director felt like he literally had to traumatize Shelly for the role. I just finished binge reading the sequel Doctor Sleep.. one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m going to finally watch the movie tonight, which I’m absolutely thrilled that they cast Ewan McGregor as Dan ❤

[@Firstofanyone]

You guys, he didn’t say Shelley was a bad actress. He just described how he felt Stanley portrayed the character. He didn’t say she was BAD at screaming and looking stupid, he said she was “just there to do that.” That’s more of a comment about the director, not the actor. Why a character is there vs how well the character did it is the difference between the two.

[@mikufollower8564]

Its such a shame movies like The Shinning and The Thing were viewed as such letdowns when they were released by the audiences of their time. Now we all appreciate them as such masterpieces of cinema. Those movies were truly ahead of their time.

[@CapAnson12345]

I think with the movie Kubrick was trying to blur the line and have the viewer asking if the Hotel was really haunted or if Jack was just insane.

[@TGYT_]

Wendy was seeing things also, Danny. Mr Grady possessed Jack, and he couldn't control it.

[@walshy3533]

The book was terrifying and so was the movie but in different ways.

[@missnicthomas]

To me, the cold enhances the sense of isolation. It’s great to hear King’s perspective on this though!

[@dalekinthewater4708]

No Stephen, that was Shelley Duvall naturally around Kubrick

[@Destinyirus278]

No one thinks ur “books are warm” dude writes about psychological thrillers/ & horror & he thinks that makes people feel “warm inside”😂 he’s kinda cray cray

[@dora1980]

Nice comment. I like watching film adaptations of King's books (Like IT or the Mist ) but all his books are thrillers and he knows very well that the people who watch these movies are thriller-horror films fans like me and many others.We don't watch these movies for a warm feeling, that's not what we expect.

[@kittenbev1858]

i’m so glad stephen kings was actually apart of doctor sleep. you can feel it in the movie.

[@cath5645]

I am a fan of Stephen king, but what he said about Shelley duval was bloody insulting and rude. She was amazing in the movie. King get your head out of your arse

[@w.l.6005]

Most terrifying horror movie ever made! Scares me every time I watch it. Of course my name is Wendy so that does help. The music alone , Jack's face, Danny's scenes. Shelley Duvall was fantastic and it makes me sick that she was physically, emotionally, verbally abused while filming this movie.😢 Mr. King should be embarrassed.

[@RobertVincentMusic]

Why should he be embarrassed? Stephen King had nothing to do with how she was treated. That was Kubrick. He treated her terribly.

[@sharonmedeiros9819]

​@@RobertVincentMusic Just listening to King talk about that brilliant film and Shelly Duval's work in it is cringeworthy! Mr King thinks way too much of his own opinions when he should feel some gratitude for what a masterpiece the film was, instead of whining and insulting their incredible work. I'm certainly embarrassed for him. Especially after seeing what the remake was like, which he had much more of a hand in. And don't even get me started on Rose Red. He needs to stick to writing and let the director do his job, because when he steps in, it's always terrible.

[@RobertVincentMusic]

@@sharonmedeiros9819 I much prefer the book over the movie. King is right.. Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Jack Torrance was terrible, and I'm a big fan of his acting. However, like King has mentioned, there was no character arc at all the way he played it. Too one dimensional.

[@bluetheraptor3757]

I like how he wasnt disrespectful about it

[@Channel-ew9dr]

I freaking love Stephen and The Shining was a phenomenal novel, but c'mon, he gotta give some credit to Shelley Duvall for that chilling performance. Her portrayal of fear and agony is palpable, it's what makes the movie work. Clearly Stephen had a different idea on the story as had Stanley Kubrick. That doesn't make the movie or the book less of a masterpiece. But hey, the true legend here would be Mike Flanagan who managed to make the best sequel in existence, combining both King and Kubrick's visions. THAT'S some real hard work to do, apparently.

[@Leech-3]

I haven’t seen it, is Doctor Sleep any good? I assume that’s what you’re talking about.

[@Channel-ew9dr]

@@Leech-3 yes, absolutely. I loved every second of it.

[@dbj1852]

He’s not dissing her. In the book Wendy is very different and has a back bone. He is saying the character In the film was underwritten and not utilized well. Kubrick was known to be abusive on set especially to women

[@willow8186]

I never liked the movie either. I know so many people love it but I watched it as a young teen right after haven read the book and I thought it was trash 😳 I loved the tv adaptation though.

[@Rave779]

The biggest difference is the book explains what the Shining is, the film doesn’t.

[@brianlondon5967]

Steven King was a great writer. No one can deny that but he has become such a sanctimonious prick in his old age that he is tarnishing his legacy.

[@glennabate1708]

A warm hearted horror movie?

[@randompersonn4]

Uh yeah that’s definitely achievable. Are you ignorant or something?

[@kitchensarehot8769]

Jack in the book has a certain side to him that is lovable, that is constantly reaching to do good, trying to be a better husband and father, and you can feel the family dynamic just trying to stay together. In the movie Jack is cold from the start.

[@sph7a]

​@@kitchensarehot8769 does that make the book better?

[@kitchensarehot8769]

@@sph7a movie does the horror elements better IMO. But the characters are way better in the book.

[@sph7a]

@@kitchensarehot8769 how's Wendy character on the book or is she the same?

[@barbaraarnzen5181]

I liked the book more than the movie too Stephen. I'm glad the author concurred with what I thought about the movie too. 👍

[@SamL12345]

tbh, King should just be delighted that Kubrick made a masterpiece out of his source material. His book fell into the PERFECT hands.

[@gorblin70]

King obviously doesn't see it as a masterpiece.

[@owengibby]

@@gorblin70As a movie he did. But as an adaptation no

[@sarahewson3607]

As the creator of those characters, he is giving his opinion in relation to how they were portrayed as opposed to who they were supposed to be. He has every right to dissect the film this way. When the tv version was made, i was so confused as to why Wendy was so different, but after reading the book I understand that Rebecca Demornay was much more as Wendy was written.

[@nationalscholar]

The movie was brilliant. Kubrick did an incredible service to Stephen King. Removed all the schmalz from his usual work.

[@inevra4053]

Hmm. I can’t be the only one who didn’t find The Shining movie to be terrifying 🤨 I had to fight to not give up watching it from boredom

[@candyDander]

I thought Jack Nicholson's performance was funny at times. It just got over the top. The book was scary, the movie wasn't, imo.

[@tysonb3568]

Reading the comments and agreeing…..lol Sorry Stephen, we the people have spoken, Kubrick took your work and EXPOUNDED upon it……yes its a different product altogether. But its the only one of ur books people Marvel at as a work of art. And thats compared to Carrie…..etc May Stanley RIP

[@membear]

At first he didn't like it but he has come around and has said he likes it now.

[@emy6476]

"Scream and be stupid" No man, that's cruel 💀

[@Huhgundai399]

I don’t like it either. It’s such a ridiculously overrated movie, but people who never read Stephen kings books love it for some reason

[@azovandy14.88]

Don’t get caught up in the comparison between the two as they’re both works of art. King should’ve known Kubrick was going to make it his own and it’s unfair of King to criticize him for doing something he’d done throughout his career.

[@seaninness334]

Kubrick's version has always been a pet hobby of mine. I'm fascinated by his adaptation. I've been aware of King's dislike of it, and this is the best answer of King's that I've ever heard. I'm going to have to reread it with these items in mind. Thanks for this post.

[@pitfighter871]

Kubrick didn't hand out any lifeboats. It's a true abyss of a horrorshow

[@owengibby]

Neither did king. King is just as scary on page. He’s just mad that it wasn’t a good adaptation which it wasn’t

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

​@owengibby No, that's wrong. He needed to get rid of 100 pages of the Little School BS.

[@vomithaus1]

To settle this debate simply watch Kings visual interpretation (the mini series).

[@filmbuff2777]

King has also said Kubrick knew nothing about horror, but look at all the lazy cliches in his miniseries, like the stooge in the wolf mask jumping out at Danny.

[@paulelroy6650]

whatever the mini series is in terms of quality doesnt change issues KING has with kubricks films

[@STRANGEANATOMYBAND]

Then watch Doctor Sleep to “unsettle” it, haha.

[@Aaron-ox8ye]

Yeah it's awful

[@randomlyfactual1943]

His miniseries was the drizzling shits. I am a huge King fan, but a shovel is a shovel

[@pennyp7382]

He always was very vocal about this.

[@danpowell4261]

I loved Shelley Duval in this movie like a hopeless house wife trying to keep her family together

[@Supersusi-c5t]

❤

[@merciless.v]

Kubrick made masterpiece cinema. Period.

[@larrywakeman4371]

I think saying she , Shelley Duvall, was there just to scream iand be stupid is rude and arrogant. Let's see HIM play that role. She deserved so much recognition and accolades for that brilliant performance. NO ONE else could have done it. I didn't see Wendy as 'being stupid" at all. Her portrayal was STELLAR.

[@riteshtimalapur7592]

So, I was one of those people-you know, the ones who watched the movie first and thought, "Wow, this is amazing!" And then I made the rookie mistake of reading the book. And let me tell you, I was this close to tears. Suddenly, I knew so much more about the characters, about “The Shining” itself… it was like discovering a secret treasure trove.Honestly, if you loved the movie, you have to read the book. Not for comparison-no need to start a fight between them-but because it just gives you more. More backstory, more depth, more... shine. After the movie, I was craving more, and the book delivered like it was on a mission to make me an emotional wreck.Sure, there are differences, but I don't care. I love them both like a parent loves their kids: equally, but for totally different reasons.

[@sophiecooper1824]

Beautifully said ❤

[@Powerneck]

When people discuss The Shining 99.7% of the time ITS THE MOVIE 🎥 FACT

[@dora1980]

Exactly!

[@sophiecooper1824]

Because sadly poeple stopped reading books , they discuss the movie because that's the only thing they consume

[@Powerneck]

@@sophiecooper1824 correct ☑️ I think it ended for books when things like Sleepers, Angela’s Ashes were released..25 plus. Years ago .. Apart from massively Hyped books 📕

[@likewise4gaming]

This movie came out when I was 4. I remember watching it on cable a year later and I couldn’t sleep for quite some time. Lol.

[@R._Thornhill]

He’s just jealous that the movie was so much better than his book.

[@dora1980]

I haven't read the book, I didn't even know until now that The Shining was a Stephen King book but I think King is jealous because the Kubrick film is more popular than his book.It's a legendary film like Hitcock's Psycho.And let's not analyze this even more, the fact that the Psycho was released in 1960 and the story of the Shining takes place 20 years later also in a hotel like Psycho was.And the lead characters of both these films are working in a hotel and both of them are crazy. Let's not say that King tried to create a new Psycho.But I do say it...

[@R._Thornhill]

I did read the book, it was pretty good. You’ve brought up many things I haven’t considered. I’m so old that I actually studied Psycho in film school in the 70’s. Still love to watch that and Shining reactions as well. I see so many on both films that are just stupid, others that are great and cause me to really think. Seems that so many people today want everything completely spelled out for them. If you expect that in a Kubrick film, you’ll always be sadly disappointed.

[@dora1980]

@@R._Thornhill 👍

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

​@@R._Thornhill but...did you READ Psycho? It was bizarre, too. Even by today's standards.

[@martsol262]

King! Your book is re-written as it should be in cinematic performance. Fantastic! Step aside on this, King.

[@manuel3186]

They were two different interpretations. King created these characters but when transforming the novel into a film Kubrick used his typical cold approach to characterization & focused on film style & technique. The 1997 tv movie w/ Steven Webber & Rebecca DeMornay was the opposite-centered more on character development than film style. Both are good.

[@johnrife7134]

Sorry Steve you got this one wrong. I understand that it was far removed from your vision but it really works. I'm glad the story can exist alongside with your book. Just like I'm glad Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan can exist along side Robert E Howard's Conan.

[@PoorEdward]

Really? I find it unfortunate that either one of the cinematic interpretations of conan exists.

[@BaseK59]

he gets most things wrong

[@johnrife7134]

@@BaseK59 I think he really just doesn't get movies at all. His books are kinda hit or miss.

[@BaseK59]

@@johnrife7134 agreed

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

He just wanted to see his own vision. So later he directed his own version

[@mdgraystone]

Yeah, well without Kubrick, the Shining would be a colossal failure. He took your good story and made it an epic masterpiece.

[@silvertoast3501]

hit the best seller list 3 years before filming

[@kylesawkon4074]

Kubrick had his own messages he was pushing out according to the conspiracies, all that moon landing stuff

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

​@@silvertoast3501 yes, and all the cool movie stuff was Kubrick. What Sk Wrote isn't exactly film friendly.