Now Available on Physical Media from Scream Factory while the Original Novel is Also Available.
It’s no surprise that Stephen King did not like Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 version of “The Shining.” He’s gone on about it. And on. And on. And on. I’m sure he even brings it up whenever someone uses the word hotel, or Jack Nicholson, or axe, or twins. In either case, in 1997 Stephen King teamed up with long time collaborator Mick Garris to deliver a faithful, more epic version of “The Shining” and well—it’s fine. It’s an okay movie. It’s not a gem like Kubrick’s version but it’s not boring. And it has its supporters, if anything. And it’s aged pretty well, all things considered.
Writer Jack Torrance and his family move into the sprawling, vacant Overlook Hotel to get away from it all. Away from the alcoholism that derails Jack’s writing career. Away from the violent outbursts that mar Jack’s past. But Jack’s young son Danny knows better. He possesses a psychic gift called the shining — a gift the hotel’s vile spirits desperately want.
Director Garris who gave us the wonderful “The Stand” and to a much lesser extent, “Sleepwalkers,” approaches King’s material with every intent to separate itself from Kubrick’s film. The dread is side stepped, the unnerving silence and long moments of sheer spooky stillness are all gone in favor of a two part movie that has every intent to push the story forward. Garris makes an almost conscious effort to push away from Kubrick’s aesthetic, never once paying lip service to Kubrick’s film at all. The hotel does garner the massive scope and unusual heartbeat that the novel is known for.
The mystery is also interesting as the emphasis is placed on Torrance’s struggle to resist the urge of alcohol which unleashes his own demons. Weber is very good in the role of Torrance and has humongous shoes to fill. He is memorable nonetheless, as is the gorgeous Rebecca DeMornay as Wendy. As for Courtland Mead, his brand of “Golly gee” cutesiness is distracting but thankfully doesn’t hinder the film’s tone, in the end. You might end up enjoying a lot more what Mick Garris and Stephen King have to offer, or you may not. Almost thirty years later it’s still just a mediocre horror mini-series, albeit a good adaptation.
The Blu-ray release of ‘Stephen King’s The Shining’ includes a few decent supplements, but don’t expect anything too detailed or exhaustive. The release includes an Audio Commentary by Author Stephen King, Director Mick Garris, Cast Member Steven Weber, Cynthia Garris, and other various Crew. There’s also a collection of Deleted Scenes from the mini-series with optional audio commentary. It runs approximately seventeen minutes altogether. Finally, there’s the vintage (yes, vintage) Trailer for the TV mini-series.