An expert onThe Shiningdebunks one of the biggest myths from the making of the Stanley Kubrick horror classic. Released in 1980, theStephen King adaptationhasn’t just become one of Kubrick’s most iconic films, but one of the most iconic horror movies ever made.The Shining, which stars Jack Nicholson and the late Shelley Duvall, has become almost as well-known for what went on behind-the-scenes as what ended up on-screen, with tales of Kubrick’s exacting directing style now the stuff of legend.
In a recent interview withComicBook.comto promote the release of his new two-volume book,Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, author Lee Unkrich debunks a popular story about the film.The story claims that Kubrick had Duvall do 148 takes of the scene in which she walks up the stairs swinging a baseball batas Jack advances toward her. Though the Guinness Book of World Records claims that the scene holds the record for “most retakes for one scene with dialogue,” Unkrich claims this isn’t actually accurate:
“It’s just not true.I have all the receipts.”
For the book, Unkrich not only talked to every living member of the production, but he also collected documents from the set, including script supervisor June Randall’s notes, which provide an accurate accounting of exactly how many takes were done for each scene. Those interested in knowing the specifics will have to purchase the book, but Unkrich does reveal thatthe shot in the movie that took the most takes was actually one toward the beginning, as Stuart Ullman walks Jack and Wendy through the Gold Ballroom:
“For whatever reason, Stanley did a lot of takes of that shot. But even then, the numbers are not even nearly up to what some of the things you see out there [say] online.”
Unkrich directedToy Story 3(2010) andCoco(2017) and has worked at Pixar for close to three decades.
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In the decades sinceThe Shining’s release, much has been said and written about various aspects of its production. A 2012 documentary calledRoom 237further added to the mystery surrounding the Kubrick film.One particular aspect of the making ofThe Shiningthat has gained traction is Kubrick’s dynamic with Duvall, with the latter claimed to have been mistreated on set to the point that her performance as a horrified, exhausted Wendy is more real than originally imagined, and that she ultimately quit acting because of this experience.
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The truth, however, seems to be somewhere in the middle. In an interview withComingSoon.net,Duvall admitted to having a “badanxiety attack on set"and it’s likely that Kubrick did create a toxic working environment for the actor. She also, however, expressed gratitude for having been involved with the film and respect for Kubrick’s vision.Duvall didn’t leave Hollywood because ofThe Shining, and such claims speak to just how easy it is for these types of tales to be exaggerated as they’re passed down through the years.
A sequel toThe ShiningcalledDoctor Sleepwas released in 2019 from director Mike Flanagan.
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The mystery surroundingThe Shiningand Kubrick do make the film more fun, so it’s no surprise some of them have gained such traction. Since it’s one of the scariest movies ever made, it’s chilling to imagine that the horrors extended off-screen. Clearly, however, one would do well to approach claims aboutThe Shiningwith a healthy degree of skepticism, and Unkrich’s book is sure to debunk other claims about the Kubrick horror classic.
