Dir: Stanley Kubrick | Scr: Stanley Kubrick & Diane Johnson | Novel: Stephen King | Ph: John Alcott | Prod: Stanley Kubrick | Mus: Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind | Ed: Ray Lovejoy | PD: Roy Walker | AD: Les Tomkins | Snd: Dino Di Campo & Jack Knight | Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Barry Nelson, Philip Stone, Joe Turkel
A former teacher takes the job as the off-season caretaker of a large, swanky old hotel, which closes down each winter for six months, with the intention of using the anticipated peace and quiet to work on his novel. However, before long his wife comes to suspect that he is suffering from cabin fever, as his behaviour becomes ever more troubling, erratic, and – eventually – homicidal. His young son, on the other hand, who is apparently psychic, knows otherwise, with the route of his father’s troubles being – it would seem to him – paranormal rather than psychological. Masterfully balanced mise en scène, fluid camerawork, discomforting scoring, and a number of outstanding performances (the incredible Duvall's is particularly noteworthy) combine to tremendous effect, in this slow-burn horror pic.
