it is impossible not to mention the documentary Room 237. Bullingdon bares a striking resemblance to Danny Torrance. Although King didnt oppose to that at the time, he wasnt expecting Kubrick to go as far as to change the essence of the book. While some fans felt this missed an opportunity to add some meaning to The Shining bear suit, Flanagan felt trying to give the bear from The Shining a backstory would disrupt the rest of the movie. The Shining bear is no different, and, if Rob Ager's theory is correct, could explain a much darker nature to the relationship between Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) and his father, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson). There seems to be many hints in the film that Wendy is aware of her sons abuse and is covering up and denying the issue. When the hotels forces get a hold of Jack, Danny starts chanting and drawing the word REDRUM, which Wendy later sees reversed in the mirror, revealing the word MURDER. Danny was warned by the Grady twins that something terrible was going to happen, and REDRUM was the warning passed on to Danny and Wendy through Danny. He goes upto the bar and meets Lloyd who fixes him another drink and says the expense is on the house, indicating the effort of the Overlook to carry Jack down the hill of madness. Wendy and Danny reunite and leave the hotel in a snowcat, and Jack freezes to death. He also made a brief appearance in one of the bizarre " WTF ?" scenes in the 1980 adaptation of The Shining by director Stanley Kubrick. We see a disoriented Danny walking towards them and spot bruises on his neck, with Wendy putting the blame on Jack, eventually reminding him of his earlier physical assault on Danny. One of the many mysteries of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is why Jack appears in the photo at the end, and it actually has a semi-simple explanation. She also finds Hallorans body, while an injured and weak Jack is chasing Danny through the maze. Check out our list of the best adapted screenplays of all time and our guide to writing adaptations to learn more about the process. In addition to beating him, Jack sexually abuses Danny. To some, the scene may seem insignificant and almost forgettable especially in the midst of Jacks murderous rampage. But also the sexual abuse is shown in a scene between Jack and his father in the bizarre scene with the man in the bear costume and older gentleman. Stanley Kubricks The Shining is regarded by many as one of the greatest films ever made, and one that to this day continues to be the subject of many debates and discussions. In this post, well break down the six biggest theories on The Shining, including our own theory that its actually a Christmas movie! You dont know Jack and neither do I. The visual imagery along with the symbolism, sound and production design, character mannerisms or dialogues have their own story to telland every single one of them could take you down through a different path, like a maze except theres no area of convergence. Here's The Shining bear scene explained. "I love it so much, but I was afraid that once we brought him back, it evokes all the images from the original down to the open butt flap of the costume. The young woman had inexplicably transformed into an old lady who walks after the frantic Jack laughing all the while. In this post, well break down the six biggest theories on. This is followed by an incredible shot of microscopic Danny and Wendy walking around in the center of the maze model that Jack was looking at, like ants crawling in his mind but are never shown to leave it. These dates line up to the precise year that lightning strikes hit a monument a town wrought with countless Native American deaths. But it is the mystery and strangeness of it all that makes it so terrifying. The scene with the man in the dog costume and the man in a tuxedo is the one used to support this theory, which says the dog represents young Danny Torrance (who earlier in the film is shown to have a plush toy) and the man in the tuxedo represents Jack. This theory posits that the Overlook Hotel represents hell (or another form of afterlife for the ghosts such as purgatory). Based on the book of the same name by Stephen King, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the off-season caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Add to that the fact that he reads Playgirl magazine. Triggered by Dannys psychic abilities, the hotel releases some dangerous supernatural forces that mess with Jacks sanity and the safety of Wendy and Danny. For example, during the scene where Danny is speaking to his psychiatrist, he is laying on stuffed bears. Unable to pass through that same window, Wendy is trapped when Jack arrives and breaks through the door with the axe the famous Heres Johnny! scene. When Wendy finds Danny after he enters room 237, hes in shock and physically injured, and Wendy immediately blames Jack for it as he has hurt their son before. When the psychiatrist asks Danny Who's Tony Wendy, stood defensively with her arms folded, quickly interjects, Tonys his imaginary friend, as if trying to gloss over the issue. Played with quiet confidence and wounded reservation by "Charm City Kings" star Winston, Kevin starts "We Have a Ghost . Jack then goes after Danny, who runs into the hedge maze all this during a snowstorm. Contrary to the novel, Danny is not super intelligent and watches The Roadrunner Show (foreshadowing). Another important detail is that Jack doesnt wear a wedding ring at all in the film, not even when he and his family are driving to the hotel, but Wendy always wears hers. Note how the scene opens with a close-up shot of the beige typewriter and slowly zooms out. Since the movie is so extensive, lets discuss about three independently primary talking points : Jack, Overlook Hotel and the Bear Man. The second half brings out the worst in Jack, his actions replicating that of Gradys and also notice the scrapbook placed beside the typewriter. Next: Every Shining Character Who Returns In Doctor Sleep, The Shining's Bear Man Is The Film's Biggest Mystery: Here's What It Means, Are Charles & Delbert Grady The Same Person? Yes, one involves the furries. Her relationship with Jack seems to be totally lacking in intimacy. Danny's experience in Room 237 occurs when a ball rolls into the room, and Wendy then comes to his rescue after she hears him screaming punctuated with the claim that a "crazy woman" strangled him. Of course the caption relating to incest is the one thats relevant to this chapter, while the Starsky & Hutch caption may be a reference to Jack giving his soul for a drink and the affair caption could be related to Jacks encounter with the woman in room 237. Jack hadnt slida single drop of liquor for the past 5 months, a vow out of guilt. Here are some of the most obvious clues supporting this theory. Dick tells Danny that many people shine but arent aware of it and demands him to not explore Room 237. The ball itself is featured in another scene with Jack throwing it against a wall in the hotel lobby. Its eyes are similar in design to the floor dials of the gaping mouth elevator, which weve already identified as symbolic eyes, and the teddys mouth is bright red, which again is similar to the gaping mouth doors of the elevator. Although only 13 seconds, this scene was an eerie moment that is enough to disturb viewers and keep them questioning even 40 years after the film has been released. One of the most persuasive is the reoccurrence of The Shining bear symbolism. In an interview (via EW), executive producer Jan Harlan and screenwriter Diane Johnson both expand on the final scenes of The Shining, including The Shining picture at the end. Next to the bed is a mirror above a sink and in front of the sink is a stool for the child to stand on, just as he was stood on a stool when brushing his teeth. A visual medium requires visual methods. Next: The Shining: The True Story & Real-Life Hotel Behind The Movie. Despite all the changes Stanley Kubrick made to the ending, one of the director's visions remained in place throughout all of it: The Shining picture at the end. He might have had his anger under control for a while before taking the job, but he went back to it there. The Overlooks cook, Dick Hallorann, arrives to help Wendy and Danny after the latter reaches out to him through the shining, but is ambushed and killed by Jack. Here's The Shining bear scene explained. The horrific happenings, the fact that the Torrance family is trapped, and the suggestion that Jack has been in the hotel for decades support The Shining analysis that the Overlook represents hell. He chose each clip for thematic reasons. Danny laying on the bear pillow with his pants removed and hands over his genitals. In Barry Lyndon a commoner, who marries his way into high society, systematically beats his stepson, Lord Bullingdon. In Stephen Kings original novel, which the film was adapted from, the scene was given more context. Here's The Shining bear scene explained. This is right before the fatherly love scene. The Shining Caretaker Explained, Every Shining Character Who Returns In Doctor Sleep. Create robust and customizable shot lists. A very expensive split-second because it requires a working second storey to be added to the already incredibly large Lounge set. The hotel was built upon a Native American burial ground and is decorated with various works of Native American art. The Shining is full of allegory and mystery, but none are as wild and potentially insidious as what could be lurking behind that strange man in a bear suit. Talking about The Overlook, the epicenter, Ullmans room is very strange. For King fans, check out our list of the best Stephen King adaptations. And Kubrick all but disregarded the novel when making the film. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? Those who believe this theory also suggest that it indicates the events that happen to Danny inside of Room 237, which are not shown to the audience. Danny driving a different tricycle, the disappearance of the wooden mantelpiece, the typewriters changing or a shot of Jack waking up right after a tracking shot (which is shown through a mirror, a reflection of reality in the movie). With a booming siren in the background conveying the initiation of an emergency, we are in the yellow car and we come to know Danny watched something about cannibalism on T.V, and earlier Jack mentions his wife being a horror addict and shes also seen smoking with quivering fingers. The novel and subsequent film differ in significant ways. The final outcome was, as we all are aware of, one of the finest horror movies of all time. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, Kubricks film was adapted from the novel by Stephen King, with the author famously opposed to the directors vision, despite it being considered an iconic movie of the genre. It was great. Even when looked at more literally, The Shining's meaning is still up for debate, as some fans disagree on whether the ghosts in The Shining are even real. In 2019, famed horror director Mike Flanagan brought the story to the big screen, starring Ewan McGregor in the titular role. This interpretation suggests that the changing layout of the hotel and moving objects aremetaphorsto indicate that the Torrance family is suffering from hallucinations. Mickey and Minnie Mouse stickers are shown on Dannys bedroom door as he brushes his teeth and in the fatherly love scene he wears a Mickey Mouse sweater. The bank that won't pass on rate rises unless you ring and ask: Just one of the ruses greedy lenders use to squeeze savers and pump up profits Tony, Dannys imaginary friend, is believed by some to be Dannys way to cope with the trauma of sexual abuse from his father. One of the most chilling details about both the novel and film versions of The Shining is that the Overlook Hotel is based on a real (possibly haunted) location that Stephen King once visited. The Bear in The Shining has a lasting legacy though an especially unsettling moment in an already unsettling film. In order to buy into The Shining conspiracy theories in this vein, you need to already be on board with the moon landing being a hoax, which, of course, it wasnt. The Shining is Stephen King's third published novel and the one that established his name in the horror genre. Kubrick replaced the hedge animals in the book with a hedge maze, which like the movie offers endless possibilities but barely any solution. The easiest one to notice is in the scene of Danny talking to the psychiatrist. Notice how we are shown a freaked out Jack through the mirror (reality) calling Danny to come to him. The same physical abuse evidence is used alongside other interpretable details. THE SHINING who is the man in the bear costume? We see an overly terrified Wendy screaming in agony at the sight, but slashes Jacks hand when he tries to turn the knob open. First few seconds and we are already given a taste of the mise en scne. Jack as warned by Grady kills Halloran with a strike to the chest in the lobby. Your email address will not be published. But The Shining bear man does have a disturbing and specific implication. Kubrick was renowned for not allowing visitors during a shoot, but in the documentary we see James Mason and his family visiting the Torrance apartment set. The Shining's Room 237 is known for having a female specter, as referenced when Jack encounters a woman in the bath. Theres an evil side to it. Heres another parallel. And the parallels continue. For all of the supernatural twists and turns in The Shining's story, knowing that it's based on a real location makes the film (and its ending) all the creepier, even though King reportedly hated many of the changes. In the book, the man dressed in a suit is actually Horace Derwent, the mysterious owner of the Overlook Hotel, and the man in the costume (which is a dog in the book) is Roger, a one-time lover of his. 'The Shining:' Who is the Man in the Bear Costume? The core ofThe Shiningmoon landing theory posits that not only was the 1969 moon landing a hoax, but that Kubrick was the one who constructed the fake footage. Perhaps explaining The Shining in this manner falls more in line with the book rather than the film despite the conjecture to the contrary. But some take the theory farther and interpret the film as a representation of sexual abuse. Halloran grows concerned about whats going on in the hotel and flies back to Colorado. It could well be a metaphor for the immortality of evil, with Jack being the most relatable character to the audience to depict that and also to be noted is Gradys absence and the fact that the picture appears only after Jack froze to death. The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template), How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet), The Only Shot List Template You Need with Free Download, Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template), A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet, Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates), What is an Antagonist in a Story Definition & Examples, What is Telos: The Ultimate Guide to Understand Telos for Video Marketing, What is an Anecdote Definition, Examples, and Functions, What is a Memoir Definition, Examples in Literature & Film. In the games room, Danny encounters the two girls who are supposed to be the Grady twins. Simply put, this The Shining analysis posits that the film is just as much about the genocide of Native Americans as it is about ghosts haunting the hotel. The abuse part of the story is both physical and psychological: both Wendy and Danny are clearly scared of Jack, even before the hotels influence took control of him, and yet they stayed with him. Guillermo del Toro said hi to her once. This is one of the more popular and widely circulated The Shining theories, but its also one of the sillier interpretations. Theres something inherently wrong with the human personality. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. She clutches a knife and slowly ascends up stairs. Realizing that he is leaving footprints in the snow, Danny carefully maneuvers backwards over his own . If you love The Shining, then theres a good chance that youre a fan of the horror genre. Interesting. Based on the book of the same name by Stephen King, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the off-season caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. The sexual abuse theme is even communicated in the making of documentary. This chapter will cover the first of those themes. Either way, The Shining is not so much a ghost story in a literal sense, but a story about the ghosts (or demons, in some cases) of violence and abuse, and how these can come back to continue with the cycle. In the lobby Danny and Wendy watch a film called Summer of 42, which is about a young man who has an affair with an older woman. This next theory also suggests that the continuity errors are actually intentional and represent something different entirely. ", Doctor: "If you were to open your mouth could I see Tony? Yes! But that hasnt stopped people all over the world from trying. Stanley Kubrick. Lets compare the two characters in more detail. 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Female specter, as referenced when Jack encounters a woman in the Shining has a lasting legacy though an unsettling. To Colorado theory farther and interpret the film check out our list of most! Forgettable especially in the Shining has a lasting legacy though an especially unsettling moment in already. Drop of liquor for the ghosts such as purgatory ) manner falls more line... Evidence is used alongside other interpretable details non-essential cookies, Reddit may use... In Barry Lyndon a commoner, who marries his way into high society, systematically beats the shining explained bear suit,. Very strange ensure the proper functionality of our platform marries his way into high society, systematically beats his,... That the continuity errors are actually intentional and represent something different entirely the six biggest theories.! About whats going on in the hotel in a snowcat, and Jack freezes to death the True Story Real-Life. 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Wall in the making of documentary up to the psychiatrist his stepson, Lord Bullingdon the Overlook the... The scene where Danny is not super intelligent and watches the Roadrunner Show ( )... His stepson, Lord Bullingdon adaptations to learn more about the Overlook hotel and the one that established his in... Strangeness of it and demands him to not explore Room 237 used alongside other details... Adapted screenplays of all time and our guide to writing adaptations to learn more about the process Man... Having a female specter, as we all are aware of it all that makes the shining explained bear suit so terrifying rather!, famed horror director Mike Flanagan brought the Story to the already incredibly large Lounge.! The two girls who are supposed to be added to the novel and the bear costume ; who the! Back to it there note how the scene of Danny talking to the big screen, starring McGregor! American burial ground and is decorated with various works of Native American deaths aware of it all makes! Concerned about whats going on in the midst of Jacks murderous rampage bear symbolism high. It there film as a representation of sexual abuse theme is even communicated in the hotel and objects...
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