The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)

[mfunk9786]

I enjoyed reading that, thanks!

I came in the thread at this hour, though, to point out that this UHD disc is the best looking physical media I've ever come in contact with. It is staggering how good this restoration looks.

[Drucker]

Word on the street is original mono not included though?

When I saw this in 35 last year, the audio was the thing that really stuck out to me. The overwhelming noise in some of the scenes was so powerful and haunting.

[Roscoe]

The original mono mix is not included, nor is the original trailer part of the extras any more.

But that restoration is gorgeous, and the transfer (at least on the Blu-Ray which is all I can check out) is gorgeous.

Just give them your money.

[Orlac]

I don't think the mono tracks for this, Clockwork Orange and Full Metal Jacket have been on disc since 1999?

[mfunk9786]

The thing that surprised me most was the brightness of the image, coupled with the lack of any perceivable noise. Yes, there's a very rich level of film grain somewhere in there, but it never calls attention to itself - but doesn't look to be scrubbed out, either. The fine detail in faces, clothing, the hotel - it's all near-literally eye-popping.

As for the sound, I'm deaf in one ear, so everything is mono to me

[Stefan Andersson]

Interview with Diane Johnson

Essay by Johnson

[mfunk9786]

Editing BB code into Stefan's posts in this thread has become akin to a part time job for me

[ivuernis]

So only the longer American theatrical cut is available on the new 4K disc (even in the UK). I don't understand why this is now seeming to become the de facto definitive version outside of North America even though it was clear Kubrick was dissatisfied with the longer cut.

[tenia]

Becausd Warner, I guess.
Or maybe Vitali got crazy again.

[mfunk9786]

The longer cut is the better cut, so it's a blessing in disguise.

[Big Ben]

Is there an article talking about where Kubrick discusses his version preference? I'd like to see it. For what it's worth I think the longer version is better too.

[ivuernis]

The longer cut is the better cut, so it's a blessing in disguise.

No, it's not.

[mfunk9786]

So glad I can engage with a movie on a level that isn't "those skeletons look fake!"

[ivuernis]

So glad I can engage with a movie on a level that isn't "those skeletons look fake!"

I didn't think it needed to be spelled out but it's nothing to do with whether the skeletons look authentic or not but that the scene is a horror film cliché.

[Mr Sausage]

So glad I can engage with a movie on a level that isn't "those skeletons look fake!"

I didn't think it needed to be spelled out but it's nothing to do with whether the skeletons look authentic or not but that the scene is a horror film cliché.

An effective deployment of one, too, much as with the creepy kids, another horror cliche the film uses so effectively you'd be forgiven for thinking it'd invented it. The reason the movie works so well is not that its sui generis, but that it musters some incredible technical resources to imbue old horror tropes with renewed vigour.

[ivuernis]

So glad I can engage with a movie on a level that isn't "those skeletons look fake!"

I didn't think it needed to be spelled out but it's nothing to do with whether the skeletons look authentic or not but that the scene is a horror film cliché.

An effective deployment of one, too, much as with the creepy kids, another horror cliche the film uses so effectively you'd be forgiven for thinking it'd invented it. The reason the movie works so well is not that its sui generis, but that it musters some incredible technical resources to imbue old horror tropes with renewed vigour.

I agree, but not that one. It's notable among the deleted scenes in that it's the most clichéd while the rest tighten up the overall pacing and add to the film's ambiguity.

[Mr Sausage]

I can't think of any comparable scene that outdoes that moment in The Shining. It's not just effective in the context of a whirling crescendo of visions of death and atrocity, but the way it combines the haunting element with the vulnerability of exposure (stumbling into a room to find everyone just staring at you) is unnerving. Plus the way that skeleton in the phonebooth in the background is craning over to stare at Wendy/the audience gives me the creeps.

[Finch]

I have to say that irrespective of one's preference of one cut over the other (I'm on the team that prefers the longer American cut), Warner should have included both. I'd like to see some statement corroborating that Kubrick was unhappy with the US cut. My understanding is that he cut the film following the muted response from American critics but that doesn't suggest in and of itself that he was personally unhappy with the US cut. If he had been, wouldn't he, as the perfectionist he was, withdrawn the US cut altogether if he had been genuinely dissatisfied with the longer version? I'd personally read it as, okay, the US reviews weren't so hot, let's recut the film to see if a shorter version plays better with the Europeans but he seems to have been happy for both cuts to co-exist. To my knowledge, he hasn't grumbled about the US cut in the same way he did with Fear and Desire.

[tenia]

Kubrick preferred the European cut. As such, if one aims at respecting his will, it should be included no matter what.
It's all the more stupid that in Europe, Warner told us for years we couldnt get the US cut because Kubrick didnt like it, but now, it's the complete opposite and there is no explanation on this change of mind.

[mfunk9786]

I lot of forum users saying they know what Kubrick preferred, but no one has yet posted anything from Kubrick saying what Kubrick preferred - where have we seen this come up before

[The Curious Sofa]

I recently read Space Odyssey by Michael Benson, 2001: A Space Odyssey having been similarly cut after prints had already been struck. According to the book, it is doubtful that Kubrick would have made a statement as to how he felt about the cuts. 2001: A Space Odyssey had a famously disastrous premiere, with 241 counted walkouts and largely negative reviews the next day. There appears to be some evidence that MGM requested cuts and Kubrick didn't put up too much of a struggle after its initially poor reception, though accounts range from him being devastated to it being his own decision. However he didn't want to be seen to bow to studio requests and according to publicist and Kubrick loyalist Roger Caras Kubrick "will deny anything, no matter what, he will deny anything he thinks will reflect less than sensationally on the mythic Kubrick". He was aware of his status as a maverick even then and it was vital for him to be seen as being entirely in control of his creative process.

I don't know if there was pressure on Kubrick to cut down The Shining after its less than enthusiastic reception in the US, but I believe it would have been important to him that it would have been regarded as his decision for two versions to be out there, even if it might have been a compromise. So I doubt he ever publicly came down in support of either.

[mfunk9786]

Also, the cut isn't received poorly anymore. This is a beloved film. Whatever measures Kubrick took were unnecessary in the broader view of history, and had the film been lavishly praised upon release, perhaps he would've never touched it. We will never know, but he didn't care enough to have the U.S. cut (of an American studio film) pulled, so in my view, this is the "final cut," while the U.K. cut is something more experimental and reactionary - i.e. not some alternate universe final cut or director's cut.

I'm not saying that the U.K. version should be pulled from shelves never to be seen again, just that it's not a necessary inclusion on every home video and streaming release from now until the end of time.

[The Curious Sofa]

This is where I out myself as a fan of the European cut and......skeletons ??? ;)

Doesn’t matter though as I’m not set up for 4K and the new blu-ray isn’t available on its own.

[Roscoe]

This is where I out myself as a fan of the European cut and......skeletons ???

Doesn’t matter though as I’m not set up for 4K and the new blu-ray isn’t available on its own.

The new Blu-Ray is enough of an upgrade to justify the purchase of the set. More than enough of an upgrade. Just do it.

[mfunk9786]

If you fall into the category of someone who has a 4K television but not a UHD Blu-ray player, the new restoration is currently on sale on iTunes for $9.99 - will unlock the 4K/Dolby Vision stream of the film on pretty much every other service (Google Play, Fandango, Vudu, etc etc) via Movies Anywhere, and appears to include the bonus features from the disc