A cinematic milestone

Rating: 10/10 (11 October 1998)

This is a remarkable milestone in cinema. Kubrick has created a timeless horror masterpiece that puts recent genre movies to shame, and one that many directors should do well to study closely. It still hasn´t really been equalled. You are completely absorbed into the environment of the Overlook Hotel, thanks to the superb camera-work, scenography (It was entirely built on a soundstage), acting, and very importantly - the use of contemporary classical music. The blood-spewing elevator accompanied by Pendereckis "The Dream of Jacob" is an absolute masterstroke, one you´ll never forget. Kubrick´s adaption of the book has been critizised but I believe he actually made it better. It´s more abstract than Kings original story but all the more scary because of it.