Alright, semi serious queston regarding The Shining?

Question

Stanley Kubrick version or the mini-series version with Steven Weber? And, have you read the book?

I'm curious to see if the book made a difference in preferences.

Answer 1

I read the book first, then saw the Kubrick movie, then, years later saw the mini-series.

I loved the book. I loved the Kubrick movie and I loved the mini-series. That being said, I loved the Kubrick movie, even though it took gigantic leaps away from the plot of the book. In my mind, it really is a separate entity, and should stand alone. The mini-series is a true adaptation of the book. The characters are much more true to the book. Stephen Webber, while he doesn't, perhaps have the curb appeal of Jack Nicholson, gives a much more accurate, if significantly less dynamic portrayal of Jack Torrence. As far as the rest of the casts, my preference splits fairly even between the two. I like Wendy from the mini-series, Danny from the Kubrick... You get the idea.

The long and the short of it is that the Kubrick film is outstanding, but should not be compared to either the book or the mini-series which are both also outstanding in their own right for completely different reasons. Let Kubrick's version stand on its own, it does so admirably...

Answer 2

I read the book.

And yes, the mini-series is far closer to the book.

But Kubrick's version is TERRIFYING! It's great film making and Nicholson is brilliant. Definitely superior to the mini-series.

The Weber version was accurate, but not very scary. The Kubrick version had me crouched in my chair with the tension as high as it could go! AND I KNEW HOW THE STORY ENDED!

Answer 3

I have not read the book so I will have to just go along if others here say that the mini-series is closer to the story. But I definitely LOVED the Kubrick teliing. Jack Nicholson is one of a kind!!!!! Nobody else could have brought the presence that he did!!!!!!! Really good scare!!

Answer 4

Stanley Kubrick by far. Yes I read the book.

Answer 5

Mini-series with Steven Weber. Yes, I have read the book, it is one of my favorite Stephen King books and, IMHO, his scariest. And, yes, it did make a difference - the mini-series stayed much, much, closer to the book. The topiary animals were one of the scarier parts of the book, and they replaced it with a maze in the movie. A maze?!? Puh-leese! And, "Here's Johnny!" makes me want to puke!
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Answer 6

read the book saw pieces of the film. don't like either for a king novel it would be misery but I still think the book is scarier because at least you have the imagination to work with.