The Shining (1980)

DVD extras

Since I suspect that most people reading this have already seen "The Shining" and already have an opinion, I'm not going to comment on the plot. Instead I'm going to review the extra features.

"Crafting the Shining" - This was the first DVD extra that I watched, and I enjoyed it a lot. I thought it was a concise, well done look behind-the-scenes with a lot of interesting trivia and interviews.

"Visions of Stanley Kubrick" - This is a short homage to Kubrick. It looks at all of his films to showcase the sort of artist he was.

"Making of the Shining" - This is the exact same documentary as on the "Collection" VHS tape. However, a nice addition is the option of listening to a new commentary by Vivian Kubrick. I enjoyed hearing her stories. She had the unique perspective of being a 17 year old bystander on the set. I wish they had asked her to take part in the commentary for the full movie on disc 1.

"Wendy Carlos" - This is an interesting look at the musical sequences that didn't make it into the final cut of The Shining and Clockwork Orange.

Disc 1 special features - The only extra feature on disc 1 is the commentary by the steadycam operator and a Kubrick biographer. This commentary is why I gave the dvd only 4 stars instead of 5. The biggest disappointment was that they repeat a lot of what was already said in the extra features on Disc 2. The two commentators were recorded separately and then spliced together. The steadycam operator was humorous to listen to and he also keeps you interested because of his unique perspective as a crew member on set almost every day during filming. The biographer's commentary, on the other hand, was disappointing. A few of his comments were insightful, but everyone watching with me felt he sounded pompous. A lot of his comments sound like an art critic fawning over Kubrick while pointing out the obvious. Suffice to say, I wish they had paired the steadycam operator up with someone different for the commentary. It's a shame they couldn't get Nicholson or one of the other actors to provide commentary. I would have enjoyed it more listening to a second person who had actually been there during filming.

Overall, I felt it was worth paying the extra money for this 2 disc dvd as an upgrade from my old VHS copy. The picture quality looks good. I'm happy with my choice. But anyone who isn't a huge fan will probably be completely satisfied with the cheaper 2001 "Kubrick Collection" dvd instead. You are basically paying the big price difference for this special edition only to get 3 short featurettes, Vivian's 30 minute commentary, and a very mediocre full-length commentary. According to Amazon's editorial, the old "Collection" version was supposedly the aspect ratio that Kubrick approved of, anyways.

A five star movie, but only a four star "special" edition. July 14, 2008

Great movie!

I just love the Shining! The book is better than the movie, but the madness is still portrayed in this epic horror film. July 13, 2008

redrum.

The Shining starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall is a solid horror film from start to finish. Stanley Kubrick directed this film and the movie is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Parts of this film who definitely freak you out, I highly recommend purchashing this '80s classic, enjoy! July 5, 2008

A Horror Masterpiece

The Shining ranks with the Exorcist as being one of the best horror films of all time.
Perhaps Duval and Nicholson make for an unlikely couple in the beginning, but this
anomoly is easily rectified during the last two thirds of the film. The casting of Scatman,
to my mind, was, along with the casting of Nicholson, sheer genius. From the spine
chilling music playing during the first frames of the movie as the car winds up to the
hotel to the very last frame as the 20s themed music plays and the camera zeros in on
Nicholson's figure at the center of the black and white photograph, the movie delivers.
Stephen King purists can argue all they want over how true the film stayed to the book.
I'm a King fan through and through, and I believe Kubrick's version is outstanding. This
movie is an absolute must for the serious horror collector. June 28, 2008

BEST WIDESCREEN MOVIE EVER ???

Just got my first 32" widescreen about 3 weeks ago, I'm a kid in a candy shop, but after about 50 DVDs, movies, and concerts, THIS masterpiece seems to look the best !?!? Sure, it's always been a hypnotic movie, for 28 years now, but I've never seen it look so breathtaking. If someone else can give me more such title suggestions, I'm open ! June 5, 2008

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