Title: The Shining
Writer: Stephen King
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Major Actors: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers
Year Released: 23 May, 1980
The Lighting of “The Shining::
In reviewing the movie, “The Shining”, a classic horror movie, we take into consideration the lighting throughout. The Shining uses high-key lighting, low-key lighting and three-point lighting to show the different moods in the film (Goodykoontz, 2011). For the majority of the film we see normal lighting, or high-key. Despite the enormity of the hotel and the few inhabitants, you still see it well lit bringing not only cold and stark elements to the scenes and rooms, but also a warm and welcoming tone in other areas of the hotel. The fireplace is lit, and there is rich lighting throughout the fortress that is the Overlook hotel. We see ghosts and fearful things appear, but mostly in high-key lighting. Later, outside, in the snow, we see a starker contrast where the final scene takes place. We then see the darkness and eeriness of Jack’s final scene.
Throughout the movie we see different types of lighting. High-key lighting at the beginning when we see our characters arrive at their lodging and during the majority of the movie, when the horror hasn’t yet begun:
We see light changing the scene in the bar when Jack visits the “ghost” bartender for a drink. The lighting in this scene looks like it has a sepia tint, reflecting the step back in time :
Three Point Lighting provides an ominous view of our killer while in his murderous rage:
Towards the end, when we see the pursuit in the maze, through the snow, where Jack meets his demise, we see low-key lighting. It’s hazy and harder to see and makes you feel as if you are in that maze in the snow and in the dark running from Jack as well:
The lighting for “The Shining” was on point. Had we had darkness and an ominous air for the entire film, the audience would have grown weary of the storyline and the suspense would not have built-up as well. The way it was filmed, we are focused on the brightness, the starkness and sometimes warmness of the hotel. The corridors and bright colors keep-our interest. The river of blood and the run-ins with the different ghostly characters were well lit enough to make you believe they weren’t apparitions.
The trailer for “The Shining”: http://movieclips.com/HgQX4-the-shining-movie-heres-johnny/
References:
Movieclips. (1980, May 23). Here’s Johnny- The Shining movie clip (1960) HD [Video file]. Retrieved from http://movieclips.com/HgQX4-the-shining-movie-heres-johnny/
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
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