Movies - TV
Why Stanley Kubrick Decided to Scrap
The Shining's Original Ending
By MICHAEL BOYLE
Director Stanley Kubrick made many changes to the source material while adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Shining” into a film. While there are some minor changes, like Danny’s imaginary friend, the most significant changes from book to movie occur toward the end.
Despite praising the book, Kubrick stated, “To be honest, the ending of the book seemed a bit hackneyed to me and not very interesting.” His goal was to change the novel parts he felt were weak for the film, like the animal topiary scene that would have looked awkward in the movie or the predictable moment where Hallorann saves the day.
Many fans of the book and King himself dislike the movie adaptation, feeling that the characters in the film version are less complex and engaging than their novel counterparts. In the book, Jack Torrance’s descent into madness is a slow, heartbreaking spiral, whereas the film character exhibits insanity from day one — but both versions of “The Shining” are considered horror classics, regardless.