Stephen King's Critique of Kubrick's Film Adaptation of The Shining

The long-standing animus between Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick over the latter's adaptation of The Shining has been a source of contention for decades. Many issues strained their relationship, and King's concerns extend beyond mere artistic differences. This article delves into the reasons behind King's dissatisfaction and explores how his grievances were articulated.

Wendy's Portrayal

One of the major issues King had with Kubrick's film The Shining was the portrayal of Wendy Torrance. King found her depiction to be overly meek, unspeakably soft-spoken, and uncompetent. In his opinion, Wendy, as played by Shelley Duvall, spent much of the film screaming hysterically. This portrayal led King to an intense dissatisfaction.

In the book, Wendy is a much more formidable character, which is not the case in the film. However, the pivotal scene where Wendy grabs the bathroom window in the climax is a testament to her bravery. Despite the shortcomings, King's primary grievance centers on the film’s portrayal of Wendy.

Jack Torrance's Characterization

King also expressed dissatisfaction with the characterization of Jack Torrance, as portrayed by Danny Lloyd. In the novel, Jack gradually descends into madness, but the film takes a different approach. According to King, Jack displays a more sudden descent into madness, without the same transformation arc as in the book. This was particularly frustrating for King, as the book’s depiction of Jack as a good man gone bad is central to its narrative.

Scatman Crothers, who played the character of Overlook Hotel chef Dick Halloran, was shocked to see his character killed in the second act. This was not part of the original book or Kubrick's screenplay. Crothers' performance and arc were significantly altered in the film, and this too contributed to King's frustration.

Kubrick's Lack of Involvement

King's lack of involvement in the film adaptation was another source of his discontent. Kubrick wanted to use King's book as a "starting point" but ultimately made it his own project. Kubrick did not read the original novel or King's screenplay and consulted neither King nor any other party. This decision left King feeling alienated from his own source material.

King felt that the resulting film did not accurately reflect his vision for the story. He highlighted how the only traces of his influence were the basic concept and the framework of the Overlook Hotel. The bulk of the film was a distinct project from King's original work. Despite the increased sales of the book due to the film's success, King was not satisfied with the outcome.

The Author's Public Stand

His dissatisfaction with the film has been public and bold. King was not shy about expressing his displeasure. His criticism reflects the deep impact of Kubrick's choices on the narrative and character development, which were fundamentally different from the source material.

Interestingly, even since Kubrick's The Shining came to fruition, other forms of media have adapted the story, including an opera. Given King's strong stance on the film, one can only wonder what he might think of this modern adaptation.