Last weekend, while attempting (and failing) to bake a cake shaped like the Overlook Hotel, I realized I’ve probably watched “The Shining” more times than I’ve had birthdays! And yes, it’s still terrifying every single time.

If you’ve ever tried quoting Jack Nicholson in the mirror or still check hotel carpets for THAT design, you’re in the right place. Ready to delve into 50 fascinating facts about this iconic horror classic? But first, can someone tell me if they have taken room 237?

The Shining Facts

Let’s dive into all the facts I gathered for you. If you think you are a true fan and you know most of them, then don’t miss the chance to prove it at the quiz I created for you at the end of this page.

1. “The Shining” is a movie directed by Stanley Kubrick, released in 1980.
2. The movie was inspired by Stephen King’s 1977 book with the same title.
3. Notably, there are considerable variations between the movie and its original book.
4. The main scenes of the movie were shot at Elstree Studios, England.
5. Famous outside scenes showcasing the Overlook Hotel were taken at Oregon’s Timberline Lodge.
6. Stephen King didn’t quite appreciate how Kubrick adapted his book into the film.
7. Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, remains one of his unforgettable characters.
8. “Here’s Johnny!”, a well-known line from the movie, was spontaneously delivered by Nicholson.
9. The movie took time to gain popularity and positive criticism.
10. Shelley Duvall, performing as Wendy Torrance, found her character to be mentally exhausting.
11. Kubrick is rumored to have repeated a scene with Duvall 127 times involving a baseball bat.
12. A famous maze scene, added by Kubrick, was not a part of King’s original book.
13. Filming the elevator blood scene was extensive, taking over a year to finalize.

14. Danny Lloyd, playing Danny, was unaware that he was part of a horror film during production.
15. Danny’s word “Redrum” is actually “Murder” written in reverse.
16. “Shining” is a term used in the film to describe a special psychic capability.
17. In the movie, Room 237 was originally Room 217 in King’s book.
18. The room number was modified in the movie due to requests from Timberline Lodge.
19. The eerie music in the movie features compositions by Béla Bartók and György Ligeti.
20. Vivian Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick’s personal secretary, created a documentary on the making of the film.
21. Contrary to the book, the movie features unsettling twin girls instead of a single girl, Tony.
22. The concept of the twins was derived from an old photograph by Diane Arbus.
23. Practical lighting was commonly used by Kubrick in many scenes, like those in the maze.
24. The color of the typewriter that Jack uses in the film alternates.
25. A famous line from Jack in the movie has various global translations.
26. The Gold Room in the movie showcases designs inspired by a renowned hotel in Yosemite.
27. Stephen King later created a miniseries, more faithfully adapting his original book.
28. The initial music created for the movie by two composers was turned down by Kubrick.
29. Scatman Crothers, who acted as Hallorann, was stressed due to multiple retakes.

30. Instead of hedge animals from the book, a hedge maze was depicted in the movie due to technical reasons.
31. The movie has prompted various theories and viewpoints, some of which are discussed in the documentary “Room 237“.
32. Some theories suggest the film subtly refers to historical events and conspiracies.
33. The movie’s concluding photo has stirred conversations about Jack’s relationship with the hotel.
34. Despite its brilliance, “The Shining” didn’t receive nominations for the prestigious Academy Awards.
35. The movie is now hailed as an exceptional horror film.
36. The unique carpet design in the hotel is now a famous visual, appearing in movies like Toy Story.
37. The film’s screenplay was a collaboration between Kubrick and writer Diane Johnson.
38. A sequel to “The Shining”, named “Doctor Sleep“, was made into a film in 2019.
39. Jack Nicholson got into character by exploring works by Sigmund Freud.
40. The final maze scene covered in snow was artistically crafted using specific materials.

41. Even though the story is set in Colorado, principal photography didn’t occur there.
42. Kubrick, a perfectionist, frequently made alterations to the script while shooting.
43. The film’s innovative camera work, notably in the tricycle scenes, was groundbreaking.
44. A specific scene in the movie holds a Guinness World Record for multiple takes.
45. Duvall, who played Wendy, received threats, which Kubrick communicated to her.
46. Certain sensitive historical references were omitted in the German version of the movie.
47. Initially, the movie had an alternative ending, which was later removed by Kubrick.
48. “The Shining” was chosen for preservation by the US National Film Registry.
49. The film has been influential, finding references in various media and cultural occasions.
50. An old Swedish film, Häxan, inspired a remarkable scene in the movie.

The Shining Myths

Now that you’ve finished checking some facts about the movie, it’s time to uncover all these myths about the movie and see what the real truth is.

• They filmed The Shining at the actual Overlook Hotel.
  While The Stanley Hotel in Colorado inspired Stephen King for the story, they filmed the movie’s exterior shots at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. They built the interiors mostly as sets at Elstree Studios in England.
• Stanley Kubrick intentionally included a continuity error with the hedge maze.
  Some fans believe that every detail has hidden meanings, but filmmakers can and do make errors. Not every discrepancy is a conscious decision by the director.
• Kubrick directed the film to confess that he helped fake the moon landing.
  This conspiracy theory suggests that hints (like Danny wearing an Apollo 11 sweater) are Kubrick’s confessions. In reality, there’s no substantial evidence to support this, and many close to Kubrick have denied the claim.
• Stephen King loved Kubrick’s adaptation of his novel.
  Quite the opposite. King has often expressed his dissatisfaction with Kubrick’s adaptation, stating that the film didn’t capture the core themes of his novel.
• The blood in the famous elevator scene was real.
  It’s an iconic scene, but of course, the “blood” was just movie magic. The liquid used was a mix of water, paint, and other materials to achieve the right consistency and color.

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The Shining Quotes

Everyone knows the famous “Here’s Johnny!” quote, but there are many more notable ones. Let’s read about some of them.

Of course, I have to start with this one. Jack Torrance has lost his sanity and is attempting to break down the bathroom door with an axe to get at his wife, Wendy. As he breaks a hole in the door, he pushes his face through it and utters this classic line.

Wendy discovers that Jack has been typing this phrase over and over again, filling pages and pages instead of working on his play. It’s a moment when Wendy realizes the extent of Jack’s unraveling mind.

Danny Torrance, under the influence of his “Tony” persona, writes “REDRUM” on a door. When viewed in a mirror, it reads “MURDER.”

An unhinged Jack confronts Wendy in the main room of the hotel with a bat in her hands. He says this line in an attempt to mockingly reassure her while threatening her at the same time.

Wendy is trying to talk to her son Danny after he’s been through a traumatic experience in the hotel. However, “Tony,” the little boy who lives in Danny’s mouth, answers her, indicating that Danny retreated into his own mind due to the horror he witnessed.

The Shining FAQ

This is the final segment before the trivia section. Let’s see some of the most asked questions online about the movie. Maybe some questions might fill some gaps in your knowledge about this masterpiece.

• Is The Shining a horror movie?
  Oh, for sure! “The Shining” is a spine-chilling horror masterpiece, brought to life by the genius of Stanley Kubrick.
• What is The Shining based on?
  They adapted it from Stephen King’s 1977 novel, also titled “The Shining.” While Kubrick’s version stays true to the creepy vibes, he added his own twists that make the movie and book distinct.
• Was The Shining based on a true story?
  Not exactly. Stephen King got the creepy idea after a stay at The Stanley Hotel in Colorado. It wasn’t haunted (as far as we know), but the ambiance turned his gears.
• Is the hotel in The Shining real?
  Well, the Overlook Hotel is pure fiction. But if you’re hunting for its real-life inspirations, check out The Stanley Hotel in Colorado or peek at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, where they shot some of the film’s exteriors.
• What is the meaning behind The Shining?
  That’s the golden question! “The Shining” touches on isolation, the breakdown of family, and the battle between supernatural and sanity. But every viewer might catch something new. It’s a layered cake of horror and intrigue!

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The Shining Trivia

Are you ready for the quiz? Prove how much of a fan you are, or you might find yourself stuck in the Overlook Hotel’s hedge maze at midnight. Good luck.

Conclusion

‘The Shining’ is a movie that taught us that hotels can be more than just bad room service and noisy neighbors. And just remember, every time you say “Here’s Johnny!” at a random moment, a film buff somewhere nods in approval.

So, how many times have you tried to reenact that iconic scene? (Please, not with an actual axe!)