Making 'The Shining' (1980)

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

"The Shining" is clearly a film that grows on you the more you see it. And it's probably one of my favorite films not just because it has the best actor of all time the legendary Jack, also because of the way Kubrick shot it with haunting visuals and excellent camera work. So it's probably a given if you own a DVD or video copy you've seen the short documentary done by Stanley's daughter Vivian called simply "Making "The Shining". From the start it's interesting for it's memorable scenes and famous quotes like seeing Jack from the beginning order rice and noodles, and it was neat seeing Nicholson brush his teeth before filming scenes. As expected Jack always shows off in front of the camera letting the viewers know that he likes to be out of control as an actor as not being the norm is fun. Plus his very memorable quote of stating that in the average year a celebrity meets more people than the average person does in a lifetime. And too you get to see the master himself hard at work gearing up and getting himself fired up to do the famous ax scene by showing us he uses Boris Karloff as an inspiration by checking off his lines before doing a scene just like Karloff did.Also memorable is the short interviews of Scatman Crothers and Danny Lloyd, especially an emotional one of Scatman crying thanking god that he got to work with such beautiful people. And Danny Lloyd who would later disappear from the movie world laughing about his good time being so young wondering what his parents will do with all of his money! And it was revealing and also interesting showing Shelley Duvall coping with the stress of the role as at one point she even passes out on set. It was clear Stanley pushed her to the fullest, in which she would later thank him for.As we see Kubrick who gives such rare glimpses it was so clear he was such a perfectionist as it was shown during this doc he was such a master artist of the camera. From the memorable angles and fabulous shots shown of him running with the hand-held camera during filming. Overall consider this short doc a good mini meal that you must digest along with the main course as it has some unforgettable scenes and interviews with memorable quotes that will stick with you forever and it will make you respect the film even more.

Rarely does one get such an intimate look at the behind the scenes of such a wonderful and iconic film. Vivian Kubrick's cinematography was outstanding throughout and the banter between cast and crew was truly fascinating. It's also fascinating to get a glimpse at the meticulous attention to detail that Stanley Kubrick had for everything. Everything in this documentary is fascinating; from Jack Nicholson's charming and somewhat flirtatious mannerisms to the tense moments between Stanley Kubrick and Shelley Duvall. I only wish that this behind the scenes film had been a bit longer. If this doesn't inspire a person to be a filmmaker, I don't know what would.

In maybe one of a few rare glimpses on screen (or even off), Stanley Kubrick is on film, behind the scenes, making a movie. It is one of the shames of cinema that there isn't more footage of him, or even in this half hour documentary he isn't interviewed. But his presence is fascinating all the same, and when he is shown directing he is what has been perceived as for decades- creative, different, controlling, authoritative, and somehow generous as a director. There's one scene that's rather interesting where Kubrick's mother is sitting with his son and Jack Nicholson having a small conversation; it's admitted that there isn't a finished script, that new pages come every day for the actors. The interaction between the people in this scene, and others, makes this worthwhile. I've yet to see the DVD version so I can't comment on Vivian Kubrick's commentary track (the director's daughter, who was perfectly 'cute as Heywood Floyd's daughter in 2001). But what she presents for us is candid, and usually very insightful. An interview with Nicholson, who's sound-bites are choice, and wise as well when he says, "I want to be out of control as an actor...otherwise it will predictably be MY work, and that's no fun." But there is also a heartfelt interview with Scatman Crothers, who came out of filming in the arduous conditions of Kubrick's perfectionism (there were dozens and dozens of takes that Crothers had to give, according to trivia). There is a not too shabby interview with Danny Lloyd, who played the boy in the film. And Shelly Duvall, who does lay it as straight as possible about what it was like to work with the director; the scene that is captured over Kubrick's shoulder (of an argument between actor and director) is a little uncomfortable, but in the end one can see why Kubrick wanted it the way he did for the finished film. Usually 'making-of' documentaries are hit or miss, depending on the films of course; one would prefer an audio commentary, or a long interview with the filmmaker about the making of the film. But as the Shining has neither of these - and is the only place to fins unadulterated footage of the iconoclast and his cast at work on screen and off (if you discount the Criterion DVD release of Spartacus and a recent release of Dr. Strangelove) - it's well worth the half hour; the added music by Carlos is a nice touch.

This is such an amazing little documentary. Before I saw it, I thought that it was going to be a two-hour documentary covering the entire making of the film. It's only about thirty-five minutes long and yet it covers so much. You get the gist of how things went down behind the scenes within the first five minutes. Not to mention the interesting post-production interviews with the principle cast members.I have so many favorite parts in this film. One part that sticks out is when you get to see Stanley's ideas come to life when he comes up with the camera angle for the scene when Jack is leaning against the food storage door. It's one of the greatest shots in the movie and you see Stanley come up with the the idea seconds before it's shot. Nicholson is a riot as he flirts with Vivian (which, incidently, had me thinking, "take it easy, Johnny, you're old enough to be her father, plus her father is right behind you.")Scatman proves to have been a really sweet person, although knowing that this film really took its toll on him, one can't help but think he's crying for help during his interview. Danny Lloyd was an outgoing tike. Shelley Duvall is a great actress, but never seemed too horribly prepared on the set. Later she admits with exhaustion that she understood why Stanley treated her the way he did and that she does like him after all. My only complaint about this film is that we barely see John Alcott(I think I saw him for a quick second in the background,) but it would have been nice to see him work. I highly recommend this to Kubrick fans and anyone in filmmaking. Vivian did wonderful job piecing this together and I thank her for providing me a look at her Father's film set.