Today, July 26th, marks the birth of American director, screenwriter, producer, and photographer Stanley Kubrick. Known for helming famous films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, and — most notably for horror movie fans — The Shining.
The Shining movie is extremely different from the original novel — so much so that Stephen King has repeatedly said he hates The Shining starring Jack Nicholson. Understandable, I suppose. Although King readily agreed that Stanley Kubrick should have the freedom to change whatever he wanted when adapting his novel, he was likely a bit shocked at how much was altered. [Note: From this point onward, until the Giveaway information at the end, this post contains spoilers. If you haven’t watched The Shining (1980) yet, please do so and then come back!]
JACKSGOLDROOM CUSTOM PHOTO GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 11:59PM PDT AUGUST 8, 2024!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
One aspect Stanley Kubrick changed drastically in his film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining was the ending. In the 1977 novel, the story ends with the Overlook hotel exploding — burned to the ground! However, Kubrick ended his version much more subtly: with an ambiguous photograph.
The Shining ending photo, showing a large crowd attending a Fourth of July ball at the Overlook in 1921, has Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance prominently in the forefront. And its this infamous — and infinitely mysterious — photo that’s absolutely gripped horror fans’ imaginations (mine included!) for over four decades.
The Shining Ending Photo: Explained
Kubrick’s decision to end the film with the photograph is a masterstroke of cinematic eeriness. It leaves viewers with questions that linger long after the credits roll. Questions like, “How is Jack Torrance in a photograph from 1921?” and “Was he always a part of the hotel’s history, or did the hotel somehow absorb him into its malevolent past?” This ambiguity adds to the unsettling atmosphere of the film, cementing its status as a horror classic.
However, for those who really, really need to know, Stanley Kubrick did provide an answer to the mystery behind The Shining ending photo, saying:
“It’s supposed to suggest a kind of evil reincarnation cycle, where he [Jack] is part of the hotel’s history, just as in the men’s room, he’s talking to the former caretaker [Grady], ghost of the former caretaker, who says to him, ‘you are the caretaker; you’ve always been the caretaker, I should know I’ve always been here.’
One is merely suggesting some kind of endless cycle of this evil reincarnation and um, also … well, that’s it, and it’s the sort of thing that I think is better left unexplained, but since you asked me I tried to explain.”
~Stanley Kubrick in a phone call with television producer Jun’ichi Yao
Whether or not Stephen King enjoyed having his novel trimmed down (which was quite lengthy at 447 pages in the 1977 first edition and 672 pages in the 2012 “Vintage Edition” re-release!) and elevated into something more via Stanley Kubrick’s genius filmmaking, Kubrick’s ending to The Shining perfectly fits his version of the story.
And, just as Jack Torrance was always the caretaker, Diane Johnson, Stanley Kubrick’s co-writer for The Shining‘s screenplay confirmed that the The Shining ending photo was always a part of the film’s final moments:
“The ending was changed almost entirely because Kubrick found it a cliché to just blow everything up. He thought there might be something else that would be metaphorically and visually more interesting … The photograph was always in the ending.”
~Diane Johnson in an interview with Entertainment Weekly
As for the photo itself, you know who wasn’t always there? Jack.
Adding Jack Torrance Into the Ending Photo in The Shining
Jack Torrance, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, is the pivotal character in The Shining. His descent into madness and the impact it has on his family is one of the most compelling elements of the film. Jack’s character is both terrifying and tragic, embodying the worst fears of losing oneself and becoming a danger to loved ones. Jack Torrance’s place as one of the most memorable horror movie fathers is cemented thanks to Stanley Kubrick.
And Jack Torrance/Nicholson was cemented into The Shining ending photo thanks to the hard work and steady airbrushing hand of a clever photo retoucher!
The iconic end card from The Shining was actually a composite, with Jack Nicholson’s face “photoshopped” (pre-Photoshop) onto an original photo, dated 1923. The original photo turned up later in a 1985 book titled The Complete Airbrush and Photo-Retouching Manual by Peter Owen and John Sutcliffe!
And if Jack could be inserted into this iconic photo with such amazing results… why couldn’t YOU?
Special Giveaway: Become a Part of The Shining!
My name is Hunter, I’ve been retouching photographs for over twenty years, and I’m the owner of JacksGoldRoom.com — a website dedicated to creating wonderfully spooky memories via customized versions of The Shining ending photo with YOU as one of the guests (or in place of Jack!).
I’ve had over 400 happy customers, including HorrorFam.com founders Lauren & Frank Spear (and their cats, Tina and Flex). See if you can find them in the custom photo I made for them:
To honor Stanley Kubrick’s legacy and the enduring impact of The Shining ending photo, I’m excited to announce a special giveaway! One lucky HorrorFam.com reader will have the chance to be inserted into the iconic ending photograph from The Shining. I’ll be creating a unique customization where you can see yourself as part of the Overlook’s haunting history.
The winner will be announced on August 9, 2024; so make sure to check back and see if you’ve won! Note: Although we love everyone, this giveaway is for US residents only. (Since it’s a physical prize and will need to be shipped to you).
Thank you for celebrating Stanley Kubrick’s birthday with me. I’m looking forward to reading your comments and making one of you a permanent “guest” at the Overlook!
And remember, in the words of Jack Torrance, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” So, take some time to enjoy a Stanley Kubrick classic this weekend!
Customized images and scan of The Complete Airbrush and Photo-Retouching Manual were provided by JacksGoldRoom. All other photos were purchased via MovieStillsDB.
