When Shelley Duvall witnesses the bear giving oral sex to another man, she is confronting the true horror and cruelty of her husbands actions toward her son, animating in front of her eyes as a disturbing vision. There are actually several other references in the film to bears. In Stephen Kings original novel, which the film was adapted from, the scene was given more context. Stanley Kubrick's iconic Stephen King adaptation is intentionally dense and even nonsensical at times. The scene seemed almost accidental but knowing Stanley Kubrick, every shot that made it to the final cut was necessary. The scene dissolves and we can feel the frustration dripping out of Jack, which is brilliantly conveyed through the thumping rebounds of the tennis ball. She has either overlooked or deliberately ignored the abuse that has cause Dannys problems. Some believe this suggests Lloyd the bartender was never a real person, and instead just a role the Overlook assigns to one of the souls it owns. This scene has been interpreted many ways, and one of the most popular explanations is that it represents the hotel absorbing Jacks soul. 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. Back in Boulder, we meet Jacks wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and his son Danny. This truly sums up the enigmatic genius of the great Stanley Kubrick. Danny laying on the bear pillow with his pants removed and hands over his genitals. Kubricks mind is the limit to its extensiveness. This chapter will cover the first of those themes. He doesnt want to spend any time with her, he refuses to take her for a walk after breakfast, he bars her from entering the Colorado Lounge where he hangs out and he stays up all night while she's in bed and sleeps alone in the day. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But, to be perfectly honest, every other piece of evidence in support of this theory is beyond far-fetched and not to be taken seriously. There are so many doors in the movie that lead nowhere, like our ideas of the movie that according to Kubrick offer no explanation and hence raises the question : What is the maze? Because what we really see are two different versions. 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. One strong and memorable element of The Shining that didnt directly factor into any of these theories was the soundtrack. Directly above Dannys bed is a framed picture of two bears, one standing and one sitting. We are shown a photograph in the hallway at the end, which is dated July 4,1921 and has Jack smiling with a crowd of people at a party. The number 42 was shown on Dannys shirt as a parallel with the sexual relationship content of the film Summer of 42, and Danny is wearing it in the early summer scenes of the film. Make sure you come right back 'cause Im gonna make lunch soon. From the sinister musical scoring to the casts class acts, the film has all the components for a great horror movie. Also to be noted, this is the first time we see Jack in the burgundy jacket, the color similar to that of the liquid gushing out of the elevator in Dannys vision. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round. Who is the man in the bear costume in "The Shining"? This led to him intentionally reversing a lot of features from the book, changing them, experimenting with them and using disrupted continuity. But some take the theory farther and interpret the film as a representation of sexual abuse. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Jack as warned by Grady kills Halloran with a strike to the chest in the lobby. This broader theory became directly connected to The Shining as Kubricks subtle way of validating the claims. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). His name is a rightful synonym for perfection, with even his errors draining the life out of you in deciphering the genius behind them. Observe the thick scrapbook with newspaper cutouts beside the typewriter which is only shown for a scene unlike the novel where Jack continuously uses the scrapbook describing the tragedies that took place at The Overlook, a catalyst for his descent into madness. Heres another parallel. Find out which other movies made it onto our list of the best horror soundtracks, up next. He was an auteur with an exclusive vision and wouldnt settle for anything less. The Shiningmoon landing connection is the one theory that extends film and into the life and work of Stanley Kubrick in general. Its also possible that the framing of the bear picture is a parallel of the felatio bear being seen within a door frame. The aforementioned sequel, Doctor Sleep, got a cinematic adaptation that serves as both a sequel to The Shining novel and Kubricks film, in a way. It seems that commitment to family is a problem for all of these males. 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. Vitali became a close career-long collaborator of Kubricks and on the set of The Shining he was assigned to work closely with the young actor Danny Lloyd (there are several parallels in The Shining between actors first names and the first names of characters two Jacks, two Dannys and two Lloyds). ", Doctor: "If you were to open your mouth could I see Tony? The complete lack of wires running to the TV, pointed out by of my correspondents, may also be related to the concept of a fractal film. She knocks him unconscious in an act of self defense and locks him in the pantry. Related: IT Chapter Two's Shining Reference Hints At Stephen King's Shared Universe. This appearance doesn't clear up the question about why Jack is seen in the 1921 photo at the Overlook, but it does suggest that the theory about his soul being somehow absorbed by the haunted hotel is actually true. The novel ends with Danny and Wendy spending the summer at a resort in Maine where Hallorann works as head chef. I believe this prominently takes place in the scene where Jack makes Danny sit on his lap. Most recently, Pennywise was portrayed byBill Skarsgardin Demons, ghosts, and serial killers all make for frightening movie subjects. Last update on 2023-02-28 / Source: Amazon Affiliates. This gives you an inkling of the absurd lengths Kubrick will go to make a tiny subliminal detail that will go unnoticed by almost everyone watching the picture. 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. Jack comes back and lies to Wendy about finding anyone there and leaves enraged when she asks him to get Danny out of here, blaming her for f*cking up his life. Here's The Shining bear scene explained. Inside, a man in a bear suit is performing fellatio on one of the Overlook's guests. 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. 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. Stanley Kubrick's films are known for leaving behind hints and foreshadowing as well as clues that all signify some kind of deeper meaning, usually tethered to psychological conditions, phenomena, or theory. In attempting to answer "what is The Shining about?" 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. The movie doesn't expressly explain the identity of the man, but in the book, Stephen King provides the answer. In Kubricks version Tony is never shown and communicates with Danny through an involuntary movement of Dannysindex finger, since Kubrick never intended on giving a ghostly theme to the movie. The bears are only discernible in the HD version. Here, Im going by the theory that the Jack in the second half was typed into existence by the real Jack Torrance. But that isnt exactly true. When Ullman and Bill Watson approach Jack in the lobby on Closing Day, Jack is reading a January 1978 issue of Playgirl Magazine. Danny has visions about the hotel right after Jack gets the job and during his time at the hotel, and has a traumatizing experience when drawn into the forbidden room 237. Watch the scene below and let us know what you think the scariest scene in The Shining is. The hotel was built upon a Native American burial ground and is decorated with various works of Native American art. The maze chase grew out of the topiary animal hedges that move around in the book. This is typed inconsistently throughout , with typos and no punctuations highlighting Jacks own ever-growing trance or unstable mental health over the course. This video is my attempt to put the record straight. I love Joe Turkels mesmerizing performance as Lloyd, his calmness giving a helping hand to Jacks boiling conscious. There are lots of parallels going on here. Is she a lesbian? The open patch on the bear mans behind in the film simply adds to the sexual emphasis. Sam Kench is an internationally-awarded screenwriter, independent filmmaker, and film critic. Move forward a few seconds and we see a close-up of Jack, his unsettling green eyes beautifully matching the green sweater, a rough stubble compared to his shaven appearance a few seconds earlier, indications of insomnia as a result of writers block. Without wasting more time, lets revisit The Shining by quoting Kubrick. From across the hall, they casually look up at her. Proponents of this theory also point to objects and furniture in the background moving and disappearing between takes as further evidence. Its Tuesday, and frankly speaking shits about to go down. Another interesting point, Wendy later holds Danny in the same way as Jack holds the old lady, and also has Jacks blue robe on (the same robe he had while he abused Danny). Wendy and Danny lock themselves in the bathroom, and Wendy sends Danny through the window. Kubrick didnt just show us random footage from the set. Jack goes to check out the room and finds a naked lady who seduces and begins to kiss him and Jack gives in, only to be taken aback by seeing a decaying old lady with him in the mirror. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment [deleted] Guillermo del Toro said hi to her once. As mentioned above, the film ends with Wendy and Danny escaping during a snowstorm thanks to the snowcat Hallorann arrived in. Jack admits to having underestimated the task and promises to go to any length to finish it, and his door unseemingly gets unlocked. 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. Add to that the fact that he reads Playgirl magazine. In the novels story, one of the hotels former owners has a homosexual relationship with a party guest in a dog costume. He was creating a parallel between Jack Torrance and the main character of Kubricks earlier film Lolita. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) enters The Overlook for an appointment with Mr. Ullman, the manager. 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 The Overlook or the hedge structure. Without Kubrick around to spell out his intentions, the answer is probably not. He then follows that up by complaining about his wife and son, and you can sense the contempt for Wendy in his voice through the suppressed grins that indicate madness instead of anger. Diane Johnson said this of Stanley Kubrick's non-horror vision: "The ending was changed almost entirely because Kubrick found it a clich to just blow everything up. Copyright 2023 Metaflix Media LLC. Both of them secretly despise their wives. Moving forward, we meet Dick Halloran (Scatman Crauthers) the head cook at the hotel who notices the telekinetic and precognitive powers Danny possesses, which he calls The Shining. Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a textbook example of a storied film. published July 29, 2020. Sitting in an armchair, Jack is reading a January 1978 issue of Playgirl Magazine, a potential reference to his homosexual tendencies as well as much more if you look a little closer. He is unable to put his undivided attention towards detailing while writing the story or thinking about it, since his consciousness pertains to a limit of recollection. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. On the way he sees the corridors filled with balloons and ribbons and discovers a huge party going on in the Gold Room. Even the Gold Room is spatially impossible due to its enormous size, a beautiful irony of the vastness of the effect of claustrophobia. Privacy Policy. Supporting this theory are the way Danny/Theseus overcomes Jack/the minotaur which parallel each other to a certain degree but not explicitly. A drunk Jack, in a fit of rage had dislocated Dannys shoulder and this is presented as a possible explanation for Danny to develop a separate personality (Tony). Wendy Torrance, (played by Shelly Duvall) frantically roams the halls of the Overlook Hotel looking for her son Danny while her husband, Jack Torrence ( played by Jack Nicholson) goes on an axe rampage. Coming back to The Overlook, Jack then starts hacking through the main door of their quarters with an axe, while Wendy and Danny run into the bathroom. This was a controversial essay claiming that the medical professions have a tendency to mistakenly label physical health conditions as manifestations of psychological problems. Kubrick used a yellow car instead of a red one and used a red snowcar contrary to yellow in the novel. Coincidence much? The book and movie are extremely divergent. She was also a contributor for FanSided's BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. 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. At first glance, the scene in which The Shining bear appears seems brief and, quite frankly, somewhat forgettable given all the other intense imagery in Kubrick's classic. Not only that, but Wendy is wearing Jacks blue robe. 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. But that hasnt stopped people all over the world from trying. Note how Jack wears dull colored clothes in the beginning but wears a burgundy jacket throughout the second half and the opposite for Wendy who wears a bright red and blue costume, similar to that of the Goofy poster in Dannys bedroom but towards the end opts for dull ones. Here's The Shining bear scene explained. It's certainly an impactful moment that brings the movie full circle, seeing Jack become a part of the famous Overlook hotel ghosts once and for all. The young woman had inexplicably transformed into an old lady who walks after the frantic Jack laughing all the while. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Vivian Kubrick explains in the commentary that James Mason was acting in a local theatre, and so Kubrick gave him an invitation. Kubrick deliberately left many things unexplained, including many details from the third act he did, however, explain why Jack Torrance appears in The Shining picture at the end. 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. Cookie Notice Along with a painting on the wall of the Overlook that could be interpreted as the head of a bull atop the body of a man, though not in a literal sense. Our partial view of the felatio bear, before he leans back from the bed, matches our partial view of Danny brushing his teeth before his first Shining vision. He tells Kubricks daughter Vivian, You look cute in your red shirt, a soft porn calendar is seen on his bathroom door, he is seen unzipping his pants to pull out a tape recorder and he provocatively unbuttons his shirt to pull out the connecting wires. Move forward, we see Wendy talking to the radio operator about the failed telephone connectivity because of the snow storm. Mr Ullmann converses with Jack regarding formal details and warns him about the history of the Overlook. The bear man appears to be giving felatio to the man on the bed, just as the dog man in the book was carrying out a sexual submission role with his partner. In his theory, he states that, inside the room, Jack is face-to-face with the truth of what he's been doing to Danny after having been in a dissociative state, previously unaware of his own horrific actions. While Danny's barbs do eventually seem to wake up part of Jack's consciousness from inside his Lloyd identity, whatever good he had left in him was clearly erased once Jack was fully taken over. In the book, there's parts where it flashes back to the Overlook's crazy (and unusual) parties in the 1940s, and the owner of the hotel participated in these parties and had a sex slave, Roger I believe, who he'd dress up like a dog and make him do "tricks" as entertainment for the partygoers. It is used throughout the movie to symbolize the incest and sexual abuse between Jack and Danny. Another connection is that both of these bear motifs are featured in relation to beds or bedrooms. Learn More{{/message}}. Also introduced is an invisible character Tony, who apparently lives inside Dannys mouth. 13 minutes into the movie when Danny wakes up in his bedroom, his head rests on a bear pillow and very surprisingly 13 minutes from the end we encounter the bear man. Charles Grady killed his family with an axe, and Jack was on track to replicate that. He might have had his anger under control for a while before taking the job, but he went back to it there. Stephen King's Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance after the events at The Overlook Hotel and his endeavor to find closure. 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. Those who believe in this theory point to a particular poster visible on the wall in the background as proof. He thought there might be something else that would be metaphorically and visually more interesting. 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. The hotel makes one last attempt to possess Hallorann but he successfully manages to avoid it. Its actually quite simple. Jack is left in the snow and freezes to death, and its implied that the Overlook Hotel continued with its cycle of murder by bringing in more reincarnations of past workers. 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). Very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to horror! In attempting to answer `` what is the one theory that the medical professions have a to. 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