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The Shining

year 1980decade 80sdirector Stanley Kubrickgenre Horror

143

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Jack Nicholson Jack Torrance
Shelley Duvall Wendy Torrance
Danny Lloyd Danny
Scatman Crothers Hallorann
Barry Nelson [Stuart] Ullman
Philip Stone Grady
Anne Jackson Doctor
Tony Burton Durkin
Lia Beldam Young woman in bath
Billie Gibson Old woman in bath
Barry Dennen Watson
David Baxt Forest ranger 1
Manning Redwood Forest ranger 2
Lisa Burns Grady daughter
Louise Burns Grady daughter
Robin Pappas Nurse
Alison Coleridge Secretary
Burnell Tucker Policeman
Jana Sheldon Stewardess
Kate Phelps Receptionist
Norman Gay Injured guest

The Shining | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Sean Fennesseyhost Chris Ryan
Explore episodeClose episode

Producer credits not yet identified.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Wendy discovers the manuscript and confronts Jack on the staircase

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:20Read transcript
  • The opening helicopter imagery and its theatrical impact are praised; old square television framing diminished it.
  • Jack’s anger at Wendy’s writing interruption is nominated, with her hurt and the warning signs of their marriage discussed.
  • Jack’s drink with Lloyd is praised for Nicholson’s expressive face and commitment.
  • The manuscript discovery and stair confrontation are praised for both performances, staging, terror and the revelation of the repeated sentence.
  • The manuscript’s typing is recounted, with the teardrop-shaped page and quoted indentation singled out.
  • The panel debates how many pages Wendy needs to inspect before understanding the manuscript.
  • The axe-through-the-bathroom-door sequence is nominated as an outstanding horror scene.
  • The iconic bathroom attack is admired, but prior exposure to parodies diluted its terror for one viewer; Jack abandoning the attack prompts a question.
  • The killing of Scatman Crothers is praised as shocking: Nicholson is hidden behind a pillar and the long return suggests a larger role.
  • Danny’s maze escape is praised for his preparation and retracing of footprints.
  • The second Gold Room visit and Grady conversation are added, along with the introductory hotel tour.
  • The ice-cream conversation is praised for explicitly acknowledging the supernatural power.
  • The manuscript discovery and staircase scene receive the final selection.

What’s Aged the Best?

Hallorann’s bedroom; REDRUM mirror reveal; Tony; Grady’s “correcting”; maze; twins; Nicholson’s drool; Overlook Hotel; “Go check it out”; Steadicam; Big Wheel

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:59Read transcript
  • Hallorann’s bedroom paintings and bachelor decor are celebrated, with questions about positioning and a pillow beneath his feet.
  • The mirror’s murder reversal and Danny’s eerie alternate voice remain effective.
  • Grady’s euphemism of correcting his family is chilling.
  • The maze, casting of the twins and Nicholson’s drooling commitment are praised.
  • The hotel’s exteriors and constructed interiors are admired; the panel would stay at the location.
  • The repeated instruction to check the Snowcat and radio inspires enthusiastic impressions.
  • The Steadicam is praised for ghostlike movement behind Danny, with Garrett Brown and earlier uses in Bound for Glory, Rocky and Marathon Man discussed.
  • One ranking puts the bedroom first, Steadicam second and Big Wheel third; the other responses favor Steadicam.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Treatment of Shelley Duvall

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:15Read transcript
  • The old woman and bear-costume scene are offered as disturbing imagery rather than failed effects; the woman’s identity remains uncertain.
  • Cutting the snowcat phone call is proposed and its length disputed; leaving the hotel occasionally is defended as making the return more intense.
  • Stories of Duvall’s stress, illness and harsh treatment during repeated takes are discussed with concern and compared with Nicholson’s response.
  • Conspiratorial readings are criticized; Room 237 is defended as a portrait of interpretation, and nostalgia for freer online film discussion complicates the objection.
  • The treatment of Duvall becomes the final reluctant aged-worst selection after a debate about the social danger of conspiracy thinking.

Apex Mountain

Shelley Duvall (qualified); caretakers

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:30Read transcript
  • Duvall receives yes responses, challenged by Nashville and Annie Hall and by whether the film improved her opportunities; Popeye supports a qualified answer.
  • Caretakers receive an affirmative response; bartenders named Lloyd are raised without an explicit resolution.
  • Axe murderers are rejected with So I Married an Axe Murderer mentioned; Nicholson and Kubrick are rejected, with 2001 favored for Kubrick.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A modern internet-era series; a caretaker obsessed with The Shining

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:41Read transcript
  • The previous miniseries is judged unsuccessful, but more pre-hotel time with Jack’s drinking and failed work is welcomed.
  • Doctor Sleep is recommended as an attempt to reconcile the book and film.
  • A modern series could use internet research and Reddit; an obsessed fan becoming a caretaker is enthusiastically proposed.