Stanley Kubrick’s Reimagining of The Shining: A Filmmaker’s Masterpiece or a Disconnect from the Source?

When evaluating Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining, it's worth considering the friction that developed between the source author, Steven King, and the director. King believed that Kubrick failed to maintain fidelity to his beloved novel, while Kubrick sought to transform the narrative into a more intricate and symbolic horror narrative.

Kubrick's Guiding Principles: Faithfulness vs. Artistic Freedom

King's expectations for Kubrick might have been rooted in the idea that a movie adaptation should be truly faithful to its source material, mirroring the author's intentions faithfully. However, this perspective overlooks an essential truth—many classic horror films, such as Dracula (1931) and Frankenstein (1931), portray significant divergences from their literary inspirations. These films, while enjoying enduring popularity, highlight the importance of a director's interpretation and artistic license.

The Core Disputes: Subtext and Character Development

One of the primary points of contention centers around Jack Torrance's character. In King's novel, Jack is depicted as a man struggling with alcoholism, tempted by the Overlook Hotel to harm his wife and son. However, Kubrick’s interpretation of Jack portrays him as a more complex figure, potentially even a latent murderer with a past-life connection to the hotel. This misalignment was likely a significant source of King’s dissatisfaction. But, it also allowed Kubrick to explore deeper psychological and conspiratorial elements that enhance the film’s overall horror and psychological thrills.

Symbolism and Casting

Kubrick’s approach to storytelling isn’t limited to Jack’s character. He introduced subtextual hints, such as the Bear symbol in the movie, suggesting that Danny might have experienced sexual abuse from his father. Additionally, Kubrick’s version of the Overlook’s history included indigenous beliefs, implying that the hotel was built on an Indian burial ground. This depth adds a layer of mystery and dread to the already fraught narrative.

Jack’s Character Evolution: From a Scapegoat to a Villain

It is argued that Kubrick’s portrayal of Jack evolves from a sinner to a villain, backed by a pseudoscientific conspiracy of past lives. Jack’s motivations shift from a tragic figure adulterated by evil to a protagonist with sinister intentions. By the end, he is willing to sacrifice his family for personal gain, aligning him more closely with the nefarious forces depicted in the film. This transformation, while from King’s perspective an aberration, aligns more closely with the classic villain–protagonist dichotomy often found in cinema.

The Role of Artistic License

King’s disappointment in Kubrick’s adaptation underscores the role of artistic license in adaptation. Kubrick’s vision, influenced by his previous work and his own interpretation of horror as a genre, created a film that, while diverging from the source material, retains the core elements of the story's horrors and psychological undercurrents. filmmakers have the right to adapt and reinterpret stories, even those they source from personal experiences, as long as the core essence of the narrative remains intact.

Conclusion: An Appreciation of Kubrick’s Work

Personally, the Kubrick film stands out as a masterpiece that transcends the original novel. It is worthy of individual appreciation and can be enjoyed for its unique interpretation and psychological depth. King's reimagining of The Shining as a made-for-TV movie in 1997, though imperfect in quality, was at least more faithful to the source material. Yet, it still lacked the nuanced and symbolic richness that Kubrick brought to the film.

In summary, while there may be disagreements over the artistic integrity of a film, Kubrick's version of The Shining is a testament to the power of adaptation and artistic vision. It is a film that, despite the original author's disapproval, stands as a powerful and thought-provoking work of cinema.

Keywords: Stanley Kubrick, The Shining, Steven King