Exploring the Core Differences between Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick’s Interpretations of ‘The Shining’
Key Takeaways:
– Stephen King publicly expressed discontentment with Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of his novel, ‘The Shining.’
– The fundamental disagreement stemmed from a difference in beliefs about the nature of evil and afterlife.
– King believed his novel’s antagonist, Jack Torrance, portrayed a tragic figure whose sanity is worn away by external forces of evil.
– Kubrick’s adaptation, King opined, lacked this narrative arc, thus lacking in tragedy.
– Despite this, King had great respect for Kubrick’s other works and regarded him as an exceptional filmmaker.
The Iconic Battle over ‘The Shining’
Acclaimed author Stephen King has been outspoken about his distaste for Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of his bestselling novel ‘The Shining.’ In his eyes, the movie lacked the genuine heart it needed, given the multiple changes made to the foundational elements of the novel. This disagreement emerges most prominently in the differing perspectives on good and evil that both men held.
A Tale of Two Worlds: Good and Evil
King’s novel delves deep into the Biblical demarcations of good and evil, a theme that carries throughout his extensive literary repertoire. On the other hand, Kubrick had a more secular perspective that didn’t entertain the concept of hell. This divergence fundamentally influenced their depictions of the story and characters, especially the protagonist, Jack Torrance, played by the legendary Jack Nicholson.
Delving Into the Psychopath: Jack Torrance
In Kubrick’s ‘The Shining,’ Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, is instantly unsettling. His psychopathic tendencies make him a bone-chilling presence on screen. However, King’s original depiction of Torrance presents him as a man slowly succumbing to external evil forces, rather than being inherently insane.
A Discordant Adaptation
Kubrick, coupled with screenwriter Diane Johnson, adapted ‘The Shining’ with a vision not fully aligned with the novel. As a result, the movie initially received mixed reviews, with several cuts necessary. However, over time it has cemented its place in cinematic history, regarded as a classic of psychological horror.
A ‘Beautiful Cadillac with No Engine’
Sharing his raw opinion in an interview with Deadline, King likened the movie to a “beautiful Cadillac that had no engine inside.” He felt that while Kubrick produced a visually stunning film, he didn’t pay enough attention to its soul.
Deeper Into the Disagreement
Beyond mere creative differences, King conveyed a deep philosophical discrepancy between him and Kubrick. During a conversation, the filmmaker suggested that ghost stories were inherently optimistic, as they validate an existence beyond death. King retorted, questioning the optimism of hell. Kubrick replied, significantly altering the tone of their conversation, “I don’t believe in hell.” This disagreement reflected in their artistic interpretations.
King Criticizes Torrance’s Character Arc
Stephen King attested that Jack Torrance lacked a proper character arc in the movie. King felt his book’s portrayal was of a good man gradually spiraling into madness, leading to a poignant tragic end. The movie, according to King, missed this arc, offering audiences a character who was crazy from the onset, thus failing to deliver a credible tragedy.
Razzie Nomination and Viewer Backlash
Despite initial criticism and a controversial Razzie nomination for Kubrick, the film has since gained iconic status. Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’ is often recognized as one of the greatest psychological horror films ever created.
King’s View on Kubrick: The Man, The Filmmaker
Despite their disagreements, King held enormous respect for Stanley Kubrick, a man he described as “terrifically smart.” He admired several of Kubrick’s films, including Dr. Strangelove and Paths of Glory. Nevertheless, he found the director somewhat insular, fully engaged yet distant.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding ‘The Shining’ highlights the fascinating dance between literary and cinematic expression. Despite their disagreements, both King and Kubrick have made indelible contributions to their respective fields and shaped popular culture in their unique ways. ‘The Shining’ is currently available for rent on AppleTV+.
