If you have watched a few of Stanley Kubrick’s films you know that he is a perfectionist to the point of pain. Every aspect is controlled and with purpose, from the camera angles, to background decorations, and color scheme. There is much debate to this day surrounding the film and what Kubrick was trying to explain with this piece. In my opinion the confusion regarding if there are truly supernatural elements or that Jack Torrence is an unbalanced person is what makes this film so interesting. The scene where Jack is standing and the high pitched whine plays in the background while the camera moves deep into the character’s personal space is a perfect example of using other film elements instead of a narrative to drive a plot.

Some critics do not share that vision. “The main narrative problem with Kubrick’s version of The Shining is its lack of focus. Is the hotel really haunted? Is Jack truly possessed or merely pushed to act on his hidden impulses because of isolation and frustration…as the storage room door is opened from the outside by someone who is NOT Wendy or Danny, and is further complicated by Danny and Wendy seeing these paranormal apparitions at various times throughout the film.” In her analysis Meghan believes that because there are so many unanswered questions the film lacks focus and direction. The only reason this film is “excellent example of the possibilities of modern cinema” is because of the editing and camera angles. People don’t feel a connection with editing and camera angles. They are the seasoning on the chicken but not the main course. For example the camera angles create a sense of being followed, especially when Danny is riding his trike. Explaining this paranoid feeling of always being watched would be less impactful if only done through narrative.

As for the musical composition it isn’t some top 40’s hits, it’s emotional and not every film uses that kind of sound to create atmosphere. At the time most musical scores in films were classical. So having the spooky, non-rhythmic inorganic noise propelled a huge change in how films were usually scored. Even today in The Dark Knight the Joker’s main theme is a razor blade on piano wire. If played at the same time, the video in the link and the one at the beginning of this post are almost identical. Don’t misunderstand, the score is not an head ache inducing mess like a Stomp performance. The disorientated feeling is completely controlled by Kubrick. Only not everyone benefited from his exactness. Ebert explains that “Kubrick delivers this uncertainty in a film where the actors themselves vibrate with unease. There is one take involving Scatman Crothers that Kubrick famously repeated 160 times. Was that “perfectionism,” or was it a mind game designed to convince the actors they were trapped in the hotel with another madman, their director?” Mind game or not it had some lasting consequences for the actors involved. Watching behind the scenes footage Kubrick’s interactions with Shelley Duvall looks like psychological abuse. Seeing Shelley Duvall’s mental state now I can’t help but think if the ends truly justify the means.