As a dedicated fan of all things “The Shining,” I can’t help but marvel at the intricate web of connections that this terrifying tale has woven throughout cinema history. From its original conception to its various adaptations, the Overlook Hotel has stood as a symbol of horror and mystery, leaving its indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
Among horror settings, the Overlook Hotel stands out as a highly recognized symbol within the genre. With its eerie corridors, vacant ballrooms, and a bathroom inhabited by a guest long past her due date for check-out, this unusual lodging serves as the central hub in Stephen King’s “The Shining” and subsequent film adaptations. This spooky retreat, where Jack Torrence meets his demise along with other unfortunate guests, continues to draw fans who annually revisit its fictional essence. Some enthusiasts even seek out real-world counterparts that served as the Overlook Hotel in the movie, offering a chilling connection to this timeless tale of terror.
In which locations did the bold storytellers who adapted King’s timeless tale for both cinema and television choose to base their adaptation of “The Shining”? What place could possibly embody the wickedness required for the hotel that comes with an included ax and a heavy dose of madness? Interestingly, for Stanley Kubrick’s cherished adaptation, the esteemed director filmed at various sites, even using one location that had previously been used in another unparalleled masterpiece as a favor to yet another highly respected filmmaker.
Stanley Kubrick’s location choice for The Shining also made it to Blade Runner
Although Stephen King may not have been a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” many others worldwide adore it. Often considered one of the greatest horror films, much of its success can be attributed to the sheer terror emanating from its primary location. The Overlook Hotel, built for the movie at EMI Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England, was designed iconically, drawing inspiration from the Ahwahnee Hotel situated within Yosemite National Park.
As a gamer delving into the world of filmmaking, let me share some behind-the-scenes trivia about “The Shining.” While the interior shots were undeniably the Overlook Hotel, the exterior scenes were actually filmed at Timberline Lodge in Oregon. This grand lodge stood in for King’s chilling hotel. For that iconic opening aerial sequence, a helicopter soared above Glacier National Park in Montana. Interestingly, this breathtaking locale didn’t just grace “The Shining,” but also found its way into another movie production, all thanks to a favor for a director who was busy crafting one of the most iconic science fiction films ever made.
During the production of the original cinema version of “Blade Runner,” director Ridley Scott faced pressure from the studio to conclude the movie with a cheerful ending. Running low on ideas, he turned to Stanley Kubrick for any unused footage, specifically the famous helicopter shots. Graciously, Kubrick provided this footage. The following day, Scott had 17 hours of footage from “The Shining.” This significantly improved the preview. Consequently, Scott needed to return to Kubrick and ask if he could purchase this footage. Thus, footage from “The Shining” was included in the initial release of “Blade Runner.
Stephen King found a perfect spot for the 1997 adaptation of The Shining
When it was time to adapt Stephen King’s chilling tale once more for the big screen, the author played a much larger role in this production compared to previously. Contrary to Stanley Kubrick’s version, King himself penned the script for the 1997 TV miniseries helmed by Mick Garris. This adaptation, however, delved into a location that Kubrick’s film never explored – the hotel which served as the true inspiration for the Overlook.
Interestingly enough, the hotel known as The Stanley is often referred to as a mountain retreat, but it played the role of the terrifying temporary abode for the Torrence family in the TV miniseries adaptation. Constructed back in 1909, this hotel was also used as a location in the movie “Dumb and Dumber” in 1994. However, outside of Stephen King’s novel, it has gained a chilling reputation for supernatural occurrences.
For several years, this hotel has earned a reputation as one of America’s most haunted, with ghostly apparitions captured in photos seemingly materializing from nowhere. Interestingly, its past is tainted by an incident that bears a chilling resemblance to Jack’s fate in Stephen King’s book: in 1911, a gas explosion caused damage and left eight people injured. When filming the underrated sequel to “The Shining,” “Doctor Sleep,” in 2019, director Michael Flanagan revisited the location where audiences originally witnessed King’s story unfold on screen, effectively resurrecting the original Overlook Hotel.
Doctor Sleep headed to Atlanta to get back to The Overlook Hotel
To pay tribute to Kubrick’s classic film and the book that originated it, Mike Flanagan achieved something remarkable by crafting a worthy sequel titled “Doctor Sleep.” In this film, Ewan McGregor portrays Danny Torrence, now older and somewhat wiser, who continues to possess the Shining ability. Despite his attempts to escape its grip, he finds himself drawn back to where his terrifying journey began. The Overlook Hotel in Flanagan’s movie closely resembles the one from 1980, with its famous carpets and eerie, endless, chilling corridors serving as the backdrop for the climax of “Doctor Sleep.
As a devoted fan, I can share my own take on that intriguing tidbit: In the heart of Blackhall Studios, Stephen King’s Overlook Hotel from “The Shining” was painstakingly resurrected, with Flanagan meticulously recreating Kubrick’s original masterpiece. This monumental task, which might have earned Kubrick’s admiration, saw the filmmaker using the very blueprints that were first employed for set designs during the making of “The Shining” back in 1979. These blueprints, carefully preserved at Warner Bros., brought the chilling Elstree Studios creation to life once more, but this time in Atlanta, 40 years later, with heart-stopping precision.
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2024-10-28 04:00