THE SHINING
1997 ***1/2 273 mins.
This is a mildly entertaining mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's classic book. The book, although highly predictable, is still a fantastic read due to Stephen King's writing style. His writing style saves his works a lot of the times due to the cheesiness of his stories. Look at his short stories "The Mangler" and "The Boogeyman" for example. The Shining is one of his greatest books. Sadly, his writing style doesn't come through as well in this mini-series. I despise Steven Weber in the role of Jack because he's trying too hard. Rebecca De Mornay is fine in the role of Wendy. Melvin van Peebles is fine in the role of Dick Hallorann. Courtland Mead is an okay actor in the role of Danny, although, how he holds his mouth is distracting most of the time. The CG wasps and hedge animals are a bit annoying, and the added bit of sentimentality at the ending is uneven. On one hand I like it, but on the other hand, it detracts from the film.
All the nitpicky stuff aside, though, this is still an entertaining film worth watching over and over again. I grew up watching this film, and I still enjoy watching it. It is a lot closer to the book than Stanley Kubrick's original film, so it does allow the viewer to experience the book without having to read it. Of course, this is one of those cases where the book is better. As I said before, Stephen King's writing style in his books is what makes him credible as one of the greatest authors of all time. At any rate, I do enjoy this version, even if it is the worst version yet.
Video is Not Rated; film was TV-14 on television for language, violence, and scary situations.
NOTES:
- Original televised aspect ratio: 1.33:1
- Original televised dates: April 27, 1997 (Part 1), April 28, 1997 (Part 2), and April 30, 1997 (Part 3)
AWARDS:
- ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & HORROR FILMS AWARDS: Best Genre TV Actor (Steven Weber) AND Best Single Genre Television Presentation
- AMERICAN CINEMA EDITORS AWARDS NOMINATION: Best Edited Episode from a Television Mini-Series (Patrick McMahon for part II)
- CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA AWARDS NOMINATION: Best Casting for TV Miniseries (Lynn Kressel)
- EMMY AWARDS: Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special (Bill Corso, Douglas Noe, Tracey Levy, Ve Neill, Barry R. Koper, Ashlee Petersen, Jill Rockow, Joe Colwell, Steve Johnson, and Joel Harlow) and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special (Thomas DeGorter, Peter Bergren, Kenneth L. Johnson, Brian Thomas Nist, Joe Earle, Bradley C. Katona, Eric A. Norris, Andrew Ellerd, Linda Keim, Bruce Tanis, Ron Evans, Gary Lewis, Barbara Issak, Paul Longstaffe, James Hebenstreit, Stan Jones, Alyson Dee Moore, and Ginger Geary for part III)
- EMMY AWARDS NOMINATION: Outstanding Miniseries (Stephen King, Mark Carliner, and Elliot Friedgen)
- MOTION PICTURE SOUND EDITORS AWRADS NOMINATION: Best Sound Editing - Television Mini-Series - Effects & Foley
- YOUNG ARTIST AWARDS NOMINATION: Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series - Young Actor Age Ten or Under (Courtland Mead)
1997 TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Feature-length Commentary by Stephen King, cast members Steven Weber and Cynthia Garris, director Mick Garris & Select Crew
- 11 Additional Scenes
- The film presented in a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio, enhanced for widescreen TVs (NOTE: the original film is in full screen. The widescreen bars are added over the original televised image)
- English Dolby Surround Stereo
- English Subtitles
- French Subtitles
- Spanish Subtitles
- Closed Captoined for the hearing impaired
Starring:
Rebecca De Mornay + Steven Weber + Melvin van Peebles + Wil Horneff + Elliott Gould + Pat Hingle + John Durbin + Stanley Anderson + Courtland Mead
Based Upon the Novel by
Stephen King
Teleplay by
Stephen King
Directed by
Mick Garris
Other Films with:
Mick Garris - The Fly II and Psycho IV: The Beginning
Pat Hingle - Batman (1989), The Land Before Time, and Maximum Overdrive
Stephen King - Carrie (1976), Children of the Corn, Cujo, The Dead Zone (1983), The Dead Zone (2001), Graveyard Shift (1990), It (1990), Maximum Overdrive, A Return to Salem's Lot, Salem's Lot (1979), Secret Window, and The Shining (1980)
Motion Pictures