The Shining.....?

Question

Do you prefer the book or the film? Ive just read the book and it's awesome, I think its alot better than the film- then again the film is brilliant because of Nicholson's performance. Mmmm hard one

Answer 1

hmmm, I read the book first and put off seeing the film for ages. I thought the book was GREAT, one of my favourite stephen king books for sure. The whole book had me wrapping up warm in bed in winter. It was great. The sacriest part for me was when the hedges had moved a bit each time the guy looked at them, how freaky would that be!

But do you know that was left out the film! But other than that i thought the film was a very good adaptation and captured the feel of the book very well and jack nicolson was good. If i am being picky i'd say the black guy wasn't quite as i'd hoped but he was really ok as well.

Answer 2

I prefer the film.
I think Stanley Kubrick's genius in building up the tension by going slow is really chilling. You know Jack is going to crack at some point but the build up to it is brilliant.
The film is so beautiful to watch, filmed using steady-cam, and the use of music is really scary. I love the bit when the little boy is riding his bike along a wooden floor, then carpet, wooden floor, carpet.
As you say, Jack Nicholson is superb, but I think huge credit goes to Shelley Duvall as the scared-out-of-her-wits wife trying to hold things together.
Aparently, Stephen King didn't like the film and made a TV adaptation which was rubbish.
I suppose anyone who sees a film before reading the book, or reads the book before seeing the film adaptation will opt for the one they came accross first. Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc. - the film versions are brilliant, but not as good as the books.
I am usually filled with dread when I see the words 'based on the novel by...' in a movie, but I do think the Shining works really well.
Mind you Kubrick had done it before with A Clockwork Orange...

Answer 3

The book. I read it before I saw the film in the theater in 1980. With Kubrick and Nicholson I was expecting it to be a four-star film but was disappointed. I only gave it **1/2. I liked King's "The Stand" even more but refuse to watch the movie version.

Answer 4

Well I have read all Stephens book and the problem is that normally I watch the film after the book and then the film does not live up to expectations as you always imagine your characters differently then ones they cast. However, I watched the film of The Shining first and loved it but its not as in depth as the book. So I don't know - I'm just waffling.

Answer 5

I read and watch Stephen King books/movies - this is one of the best. I read the book first, and it was scarry! But, my memories are of scenes from the movie - filmed so creepily and Jack Nicholson was incredible. I can't believe Stephen King actually had the movie redone as a TV mini-series because he thought Stanley Kubrick didn't originally do a good job!

Answer 6

I saw the film before I read the book but I've got to say I prefered the film.

Answer 7

Both were EXCELLENT.

As far as I'm concerned the only DECENT adaptation of a Stephen King Book IS The Shining, and that's because Stanley Kubrick directed it and Jack Nicholson starred!

Answer 8

I much preferred the film - but I'm not a huge fan of his books, although they always make brillint films.

I remember reading somewhere that Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick disagreed on whether or not the hotel was actually haunted, or whether Jack Torrance was going mad and seeing things. The book is much more supernatural than the film.

Answer 9

ive never read the book but the film is fantastic,the remake wasnt 2 bad either told u abit more about the history of it,every1 always says books r better than the films i wish i had the time to read this 1

Answer 10

The Book, it was the first Stephen King book i read
I think his books are much better than the films