Arena (TV Series) Making 'The Shining' (1980) User Reviews

A treasure.

[Ben_Cheshire · 8/10 · 18 February 2004]

This is probably the most fun little behind-the-scenes glimpse i've ever been given. I think its exactly BECAUSE its so rough, exactly because it consists of Kubrick's daughter being let loose with a camcorder on his film set for The Shining (1980) that its so compelling. As Vivian herself says on a commentary she recorded for the recent DVD re-release of The Shining, its because she was so young and everyone took her for a kid messing around that they ended up being so honest with her and allowing her to take such liberties as walking in on them in their bedrooms or asking to-the-point questions about the way they've been treated on the production (Shelley Duvall in particular, who Kubrick virtually tormented in order to create the perfect feeling for her part).

Most precious of all, obviously, are the glimpses of Kubrick behind the scenes. On the ground with a camera underneath Jack getting the perfect posture and feeling for the famous scene where he's locked in the kitchen and banging on the door. His directorial rage at Shelley Duvall when she missed her queue and spoiled the perfect set-up of the snow-machine and other elements Kubrick had arranged for the shot. First thing in the morning, looking slovenly (like all great artists - caring nothing for how he looked and everything for how his film would look), greeting Jack and staring right into the camera looking less-than-impressed.

As impossible as it is to choose one Kubrick production over another, The Shining is particularly great. And this little documentary, the only special feature you'll ever find on a Kubrick DVD, becomes all the more valuable for the scarcity of behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kubrick at work. Enjoy!

Kubrick Family Home Movie

[lorne-2 · 7/10 · 12 August 1999]

Offers a rare look at Stanley Kubrick at work, for which the world owes Vivian Kubrick a debt. Probably only his daughter could have that kind of access, though true to form, Kubrick Sr. is the only principal who doesn't submit to a sit-down interview. We do get to see him at work, giving notes to Jack Nicholson, sniping at Shelley Duvall, telling Danny Lloyd to look scared.

Unfortunately, we don't get much more than that. This lacks the insight of Eleanor Coppola's "Hearts of Darkness", which was a full-scale memoir about the making of an important film. Ultimately this is just a home movie that happens to be on a Kubrick set. The only real revelation about the making of the film is going backstage at the hedge maze set. But the main reason to watch it is Nicholson, who never met a camera he couldn't charm.

Nice look on the making of The Shining

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 8/10 · 24 December 2004]

This is what Making Of DVD extras are supposed to be like(or, at the very least, should be like): short, precise and to the point. Vivian Kubrick, the directors daughter, takes a camera and follows Nicholson around and interviews some of the actors, both during and after production about making the film and their opinion of Stanley Kubrick. Jack Nicholson was entertaining to watch, because though his characters are usually a lot like himself, it's kind of a rarity to see him really be himself. He flirts a little with Vivian, which must be considered either somewhat cute or deeply disturbing, seeing as he's old enough to be her father, and her actual father is nearby. Danny Lloyd is kind of cute to see interviewed. Shelley Duvall is interesting to listen to in the interviews. Scatman Crothers' interview is inspirational, even though it only lasts a few seconds. Nicholson is the most interesting and gets the most time in this. What I really liked about it, though, what really made it interesting to me was seeing Kubrick work. He has a certain intensity, a concentration that I find inspirational and impressive, being a (albeit on a much smaller scale) film-maker myself. Seeing him directing, figuring out angles, and just going around between takes... you can feel his intensity and concentration all the way through. I recommend this to any fan of Kubrick or film-making in general. While not very technical, it provides a good look at what goes on behind the scenes on a film production. 8/10

The Best "Making of" Documentary Ever

[QuentinTarantino1121 · 10/10 · 15 November 2008]

What is it that makes this an excellent behind-the-scenes doc? Well for starters it gives us a glimpse of how Jack Nicholson, one of the greatest actors of the last few decades, works on his films. We see his apartment in which he has temporarily set up shop while the filming takes place and see that it is just as messy as anyone else's. We also get to see Scatman Crothers, a highly underrated character actor who never got the recognition he deserved weeping tears of joy for, in his words, "Being able to work with such beautiful people" (although it could very well have been a cry for help given his age and Kubrick's demand for perfectionism). We witness Danny Lloyd being perfectly candid and honest about his experiences now that he has starred in a major motion picture. We see Shelly Duvall having a near breakdown on set due to stress and illness, yet at the end turning on her heal and admitting that she has no regrets and learned more than she ever had up to this point.

But the main event of this documentary and the one that truly sets it apart from all others are the glimpses we catch of the master himself. Stanley Kubrick was a consummate filmmaker, an artist of legendary proportions and above all, an enigma. No one ever really knew Stanley, not even those close to him and we as a viewing audience can only guess just what went on in that labyrinthine mind of his as he poured his heart and soul into each movie he made. Well thanks to his very own daughter, we received the opportunity to watch the legend at work. We see him telling Danny to look scared, telling Jack to look down while he speaks, and telling Shelly off for ruining his shot when he had it just the way he wanted it. We even see him come up with one of the most famous shots in the film mere seconds before he decides to use it. He only yells if the situation truly necessitates it and otherwise speaks with a slow and almost subservient voice. It's one thing to see a picture of Kubrick but another thing entirely to see him up and about giving orders to his cast and crew. True to style, he is the only principle on the set to not give a sit-down interview and actually explain himself but that doesn't even matter, because what we see of him is more than enough to whet our appetites. We see him at work, in his element, doing what he was always meant to do. What more could you ask for?

We finally get to see and hear Stanley!

[boris-26 · 20 November 2001]

Stanley Kubrick has been unjustly compared to Howard Hughes in regards to his public appearances. You never saw him on TV talk shows, or make guest cameos in friends' movies. This was the first time I got to see Kubrick actually move around and talk. Wow! Here's one of the most legendary filmmakers since Hitchcock, a super intellect who knew the puzzle behind 2001, loved chess and military history, and he has such a drab American voice. No Hitchcock drawl, DeMille comanding bellow, or Scorcese jitter-talk, just a flat, almost personality free "Uh.... Shelley, that was unconvincing. It was fake... let's do it again." You don't learn anything new about Kubrick's life, his shooting style, directorial style. His talented daughter has made an excellent little companion piece to dad's horror classic.

definitely not a 'making of' to skip over on your VHS/DVD

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 24 August 2005]

In maybe one of a few rare glimpses on screen (or even off), Stanley Kubrick is on film, behind the scenes, making a movie. It is one of the shames of cinema that there isn't more footage of him, or even in this half hour documentary he isn't interviewed. But his presence is fascinating all the same, and when he is shown directing he is what has been perceived as for decades- creative, different, controlling, authoritative, and somehow generous as a director. There's one scene that's rather interesting where Kubrick's mother is sitting with his son and Jack Nicholson having a small conversation; it's admitted that there isn't a finished script, that new pages come every day for the actors. The interaction between the people in this scene, and others, makes this worthwhile.

I've yet to see the DVD version so I can't comment on Vivian Kubrick's commentary track (the director's daughter, who was perfectly 'cute as Heywood Floyd's daughter in 2001). But what she presents for us is candid, and usually very insightful. An interview with Nicholson, who's sound-bites are choice, and wise as well when he says, "I want to be out of control as an actor...otherwise it will predictably be MY work, and that's no fun." But there is also a heartfelt interview with Scatman Crothers, who came out of filming in the arduous conditions of Kubrick's perfectionism (there were dozens and dozens of takes that Crothers had to give, according to trivia). There is a not too shabby interview with Danny Lloyd, who played the boy in the film. And Shelly Duvall, who does lay it as straight as possible about what it was like to work with the director; the scene that is captured over Kubrick's shoulder (of an argument between actor and director) is a little uncomfortable, but in the end one can see why Kubrick wanted it the way he did for the finished film.

Usually 'making-of' documentaries are hit or miss, depending on the films of course; one would prefer an audio commentary, or a long interview with the filmmaker about the making of the film. But as the Shining has neither of these - and is the only place to fins unadulterated footage of the iconoclast and his cast at work on screen and off (if you discount the Criterion DVD release of Spartacus and a recent release of Dr. Strangelove) - it's well worth the half hour; the added music by Carlos is a nice touch.

Great film, good making-of

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 26 June 2015]

"The Shining" is one of the most famous horror movies of all time and in this 35-minute documentary, we gain a good insight on what life on set was like. Both this and the movie were shot 35 years ago. This is actually a prime example of what a making-of should look like. Behind-the-scenes documentaries sometimes are fairly uninteresting if they keep interviewing the assistant sound editor about very specific matters. But this one here is not like that. It's really about the core players. Basically, for the entire thing, there is hardly no scene which does not include at least one of director Stanley Kubrick, lead actor Jack Nicholson oder lead actress Shelley Duvall. And the director here is Vivian Kubrick, Stanley's daughter who also played very small roles in Kubrick's movies. Maybe she being the director is the reason why we got right into the heart of the set and see the actors so close that we feel we are almost watching them on-stage. I enjoyed this documentary and it is a very nice watch if you also like the film, especially as you see Nicholson and Duvall, who are both retired today, the way they really were.

One of the greatest

[Michael_Jonathan_Dowswell · 10/10 · 27 February 2008]

I'm so glad people are in here writing about this one. It's for me, one of the greatest documentaries showing true behind the scenes footage of a film. And I think it needs to be said time and time again really how great this film is. I wish that more stuff like this was shot on other films, where we got to see other directors working away...it's the oddest thing really but we hardly ever seem to see casual conversations between two people (on the set of a film) being shot very often, they're fascinating things to watch...Michael Palin does it on his documentaries.

What I have to mention here too is, what I think is a very good companion piece for Vivian Kubricks film, The Fred Dibnah Story which was shot at round about the same time...it goes from 1979 to early 90s and is in six episodes, thirty minutes per episode. It has the same style to it, a truly wonderful style I have to say.

there's Johnny

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 15 May 2009]

Stanley Kubrick, usually known as a nearly dictatorial perfectionist, comes across as pretty low-key in his daughter Vivian's documentary "Making 'The Shining'". Focusing on the production of Kubrick's movie version of Stephen King's novel, this isn't much different from the average documentary (although it was the first time that I had ever heard Kubrick speak).

Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd all get instructed by the famous director, while Leon Vitali (Lord Bullingdon in "Barry Lyndon") assists in the production. Meanwhile, James Mason and Kubrick's mother visit the set. It looked like quite an experience. Probably the most fascinating scene in the documentary is when they sweep the blood. Not a great piece of work, but OK.

Excellent and interesting direct short doc on the making of one of the best and most memorable films of all time.

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 24 May 2009]

"The Shining" is clearly a film that grows on you the more you see it. And it's probably one of my favorite films not just because it has the best actor of all time the legendary Jack, also because of the way Kubrick shot it with haunting visuals and excellent camera work. So it's probably a given if you own a DVD or video copy you've seen the short documentary done by Stanley's daughter Vivian called simply "Making "The Shining". From the start it's interesting for it's memorable scenes and famous quotes like seeing Jack from the beginning order rice and noodles, and it was neat seeing Nicholson brush his teeth before filming scenes. As expected Jack always shows off in front of the camera letting the viewers know that he likes to be out of control as an actor as not being the norm is fun. Plus his very memorable quote of stating that in the average year a celebrity meets more people than the average person does in a lifetime. And too you get to see the master himself hard at work gearing up and getting himself fired up to do the famous ax scene by showing us he uses Boris Karloff as an inspiration by checking off his lines before doing a scene just like Karloff did.

Also memorable is the short interviews of Scatman Crothers and Danny Lloyd, especially an emotional one of Scatman crying thanking god that he got to work with such beautiful people. And Danny Lloyd who would later disappear from the movie world laughing about his good time being so young wondering what his parents will do with all of his money! And it was revealing and also interesting showing Shelley Duvall coping with the stress of the role as at one point she even passes out on set. It was clear Stanley pushed her to the fullest, in which she would later thank him for.

As we see Kubrick who gives such rare glimpses it was so clear he was such a perfectionist as it was shown during this doc he was such a master artist of the camera. From the memorable angles and fabulous shots shown of him running with the hand-held camera during filming. Overall consider this short doc a good mini meal that you must digest along with the main course as it has some unforgettable scenes and interviews with memorable quotes that will stick with you forever and it will make you respect the film even more.

A Glimpse Behind the Screen

[Cineanalyst · 6/10 · 17 February 2021]

One of the more-respected making-of documentaries, this film originally broadcast on the BBC and made by Vivian Kubrick, director Stanley Kubrick's daughter, has the benefit of appearing candid, as if it were just some random footage cobbled together by the director's daughter looking for something to do on set, which I suppose it rather was that. Thus avoiding the appearance of a corporate hack job from which one learns nothing that many of these subsequent studio advertisements became, "Making the Shining" is a tantalizing glimpse behind the screen, but only a glimpse--leaving one wanting much more.

We see Scatman Crothers crying in an interview over how he loved working with everyone, but we don't actually see him working with anyone. Only clips of the kitchen scenes from "The Shining," her father's film, are shown. In another interview, Shelley Duvall mentions how difficult the production and working with the director was, and we see her lying on the floor at one point in some distress, but we don't really see any of the reputed abuse or fights between the two--just a few brief and curt exchanges. And Jack Nicholson being charming, even while a teenager with a camera barges in on him ordering food and focuses on his crotch every time he's required to unzip his pants, may be the most unenlightening aspect here. On the other hand, it's cool to see Stanley Kubrick seemingly spontaneously hitting upon the idea of a low-angle shot of Nicholson locked in the pantry.

A rare behind the scenes glimpse of a classic film.

[dclxvinoise · 10/10 · 4 July 2008]

Rarely does one get such an intimate look at the behind the scenes of such a wonderful and iconic film. Vivian Kubrick's cinematography was outstanding throughout and the banter between cast and crew was truly fascinating. It's also fascinating to get a glimpse at the meticulous attention to detail that Stanley Kubrick had for everything. Everything in this documentary is fascinating; from Jack Nicholson's charming and somewhat flirtatious mannerisms to the tense moments between Stanley Kubrick and Shelley Duvall. I only wish that this behind the scenes film had been a bit longer. If this doesn't inspire a person to be a filmmaker, I don't know what would.

Stanley's prodigious daughter

[Pookie-10 · 8 August 2001]

I can't seem to stop watching or thinking about this little documentary and it really makes me want to view the rest of the footage. How can one be so obsessed with a Making of film? I often find them more interesting than the films themselves. Jack Nicholson's camera charm antics, "beautiful! finish the assignment!" Vivien's ultra-cute sounding voice "Thats not true it's 8 o'clock." I was a bit disappointed in the new "A Life in Pictures" documentary from Jan Harlan, mostly banal interviews and film clips, where's all the behind the scenes footage from his various films? That's what I want to see, more footage of Stanley having a fit and getting frustrated. Thank god for Vivian's Making the Shining, she is a prodigy. To think she photographed that at age 17, with a large heavy Aaton 16mm (I'm assuming) and did a magnificent job of filming. A truly amazing job, absolutely astounding, incredible, precocious. I often wonder what line of work she went into later in life, she probably could have been an amazing cinematographer, which is a field somewhat lacking the female gender. Vivien, if your out there, contact me, I'd like to hire you to shoot my next film!

Vivian Kubrick's Masterpiece

[kevinh92 · 10/10 · 22 April 2011]

What an incredibly insightful and interesting behind-the-scenes look at the film making process. The best way I could describe this film, is exactly how it describes itself. Imagine Stanley Kubrick's daughter capturing footage on the set of "The Shining", and you'll probably have an idea of this short documentary.

She follows the actors, the crew, director, and even some visitors that come in between shots and are flustered to meet "Jack Nicholson" and "Stanley Kubrick". I put their name in quotes because, like those visitors, many people are quick to put Jack, and even more so, Stanley Kubrick on a pedestal. This is probably deserved, but what makes this documentary so great, is that, perhaps due to Vivian's closeness to the set, the feel remains intimate without being reverent. There's an easiness and honesty to it.

You can kind of tell she's her father's daughter, because the shots on set are handled so languidly. One of the best parts of the movie is just watching as the camera smoothly just follows an actor through elaborately constructed halls passing by various crew members, or just watches Stanley Kubrick, a figure some people hold as a sort of enigma, nonchalantly talking while all these other things are happening in the background.

As clichéd as it sounds, the first thing you learn in screen writing is to "show more than tell". I think it's ironic that some people are disappointed that the film does just that. We see Stanley Kubrick working, but we never see him sitting down explaining his decisions. Which is kind of just right.

Also, an electronically remixed classical track that didn't make it into "The Shining" closes out this film, and I think it's just the perfect touch.

*I titled this Vivian Kubrick's Masterpiece, not only because it's perfect in its own way, but also because it's her ONLY film to date. She made this when she was 17, and it already has the marks of a skillful director and cinematographer. Most feedback on this documentary cites that it's about a great film maker, what they sadly usually don't say is that it's also BY one. I really hope she finds her way back into making movies.

Fascinating look at Stanley Kubrick on the job

[Woodyanders · 9/10 · 26 March 2019]

This 35-minute behind the scenes documentary on the making of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" offers the viewer a rare and precious chance to see Kubrick plying his craft. Not surprisingly, Kubrick comes across as an extremely fussy, exacting, and meticulous perfectionist who's an especially hard taskmaster on Shelley Duvall as he pushes her to the limit and then some in order to get the best out of her as an actress. Jack Nicholson proves to be a quite funny, charming, and laidback fellow who candidly talks about his desire to be out of control as an actor and the tremendous pressure of having to meet a much larger number of people on a yearly basis than the average person.

Scatman Crothers actually cries during his brief, yet touching interview in which he admits that he'll never forget his experience on the film working with so many beautiful people. The precocious Danny Lloyd is simply adorable joking about the money he's making for acting in the movie. British bit players Maxwell Craig and George Holdcroft can be seen rehearsing the waltz while Bunny Seaman can be glimpsed sitting at a make-up table. Duvall confesses that she initially hated Kubrick, but grew to like him throughout the shooting of the picture. Moreover, it's a treat to watch Kubrick casually dressed in jeans and sporting uncombed hair putting both the cast and crew alike through their paces. Shot in an intimate manner with a hand-held camera by Kubrick's daughter Vivian, this documentary has a bracing immediacy to it that in turn makes it substantially more than your ordinary promotional puff piece. Essential viewing for fans of the film.

Fascinating...

[CharlieHearse · 6 August 1999]

This is such an amazing little documentary. Before I saw it, I thought that it was going to be a two-hour documentary covering the entire making of the film. It's only about thirty-five minutes long and yet it covers so much. You get the gist of how things went down behind the scenes within the first five minutes. Not to mention the interesting post-production interviews with the principle cast members.

I have so many favorite parts in this film. One part that sticks out is when you get to see Stanley's ideas come to life when he comes up with the camera angle for the scene when Jack is leaning against the food storage door. It's one of the greatest shots in the movie and you see Stanley come up with the the idea seconds before it's shot. Nicholson is a riot as he flirts with Vivian (which, incidently, had me thinking, "take it easy, Johnny, you're old enough to be her father, plus her father is right behind you.")Scatman proves to have been a really sweet person, although knowing that this film really took its toll on him, one can't help but think he's crying for help during his interview. Danny Lloyd was an outgoing tike. Shelley Duvall is a great actress, but never seemed too horribly prepared on the set. Later she admits with exhaustion that she understood why Stanley treated her the way he did and that she does like him after all. My only complaint about this film is that we barely see John Alcott(I think I saw him for a quick second in the background,) but it would have been nice to see him work. I highly recommend this to Kubrick fans and anyone in filmmaking. Vivian did wonderful job piecing this together and I thank her for providing me a look at her Father's film set.

Terrific Documentary

[Michael_Elliott · 30 August 2010]

Making 'The Shining' (1980)

**** (out of 4)

Most of the time when you see "making" in the title you immediately skip over it because you expect it to be some sort of weak promo piece but if you skipped over this film then you'd be missing one of the greatest documentaries ever made. I'm certainly not going to sit here and say this contains the greatest filmmaking ever but considering what we get to see here this thing is a real masterpiece. The greatest thing it has going for it is that it gives us a behind the scenes look at Kubrick, how he made movies and what it could be like when he wasn't happy with you. If you know anything about Kubrick then you know how demanding he could be with multiple takes that would put the actors through Hell. Here Shelley Duvall is the victim in a couple terrific sequences where she doesn't do what she's suppose to and it sets the director off. Another great sequence is some of the scenes where we see Kubrick on the set not only directing but in one terrific sequence Nicholson and Duvall are practicing their lines with the legendary director just sitting at his typewriter coming up with new dialogue. The film gets off to a terrific start as Vivian Kubrick crashes in on Nicholson and then he begins playing with her and the camera. Fans of Nicholson are going to love this look at him off the camera and it's a lot of fun seeing him here. The film itself is extremely raw but I think this is what makes the thing so special. It's as if you're a fly on the wall just picking up all of this stuff and I think it adds to the entertainment value. Nicholson, Duvall, Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers are all interviewed as well. Fans of THE SHINING are really going to love this film because you get to see how it's made. Fans of Kubrick are going to love it because you get to see the master work. Even those unfamiliar with the film or the director will find themselves having a great time simply because of the footage we get to see and how it gives you a great idea of what goes into making a movie.

D. Packard - You are obviously working for the company

[arose07 · 5 February 2010]

Hey, I was actually trying to look for this particular documentary as it made such a poor impression on the movie itself and the "celebrities" in the movie. So I shall start by saying that Jack Nicholson is the only person that I believe in this movie acted professionally. The girl (can't be bothered to remember who she was) was a stoner/self absorbed actress who made herself faint for attention. Scatman Cruthers was a MASSIVE stonner in his one line "I'm just so happy, (pause for his peaking) ... that I got to work with ... (he peaks again)... with so many wonderful (peak of Mt. Everest) P.P.P.EEPPLE... (laughs to himself whilst embarrassing the industry). The kid is soo arrogant at the age of 5 WTF! and the director is a fat bumbling idiot. You must have worked for this company as that is the only reason you actually promoted this mock-umentary so positively.

short 'making of' film

[vvjti · 27 February 2010]

*may contain spoilers* An insight into well known famous film. A short film going behind the scenes as cast and crew get ready to film. The film is made by Stanley Kubrick's daughter. See as members of main and supporting cast like Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Philip Stone get ready to film. See some tension, arguments such as between Stanley Kubrick and Shelley Duvall. Also, you see some members of the crew, interviews with stars of film, all the sets from film, stars learning lines and rehearsing scenes. It shows Stanley Kubrick and how he organises everything, prepares to direct scenes and his suggestions to get everything as planned. There are some technical things like use of the record player for the gold room sequence, using the snow machine for snow.