Room 237 (2012)

An exploration of various interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, The Shining (1980).

Director:

Rodney Ascher

Stars:

Bill Blakemore, Geoffrey Cocks, Juli Kearns

2 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bill Blakemore	...	Self
Geoffrey Cocks	...	Self
Juli Kearns	...	Self
John Fell Ryan	...	Self
Jay Weidner	...	Self
Stephen Brophy	...	Cast
Ash Brophy	...	Csst
Buddy Black	...	Cast
Buffy Visick	...	Cast
Sam Walton	...	Cast (as Samuel Walton)

Storyline

A subjective documentary that explores the numerous theories about the hidden meanings within Stanley Kubrick's film The Shining (1980). The film may be over 30 years old but it continues to inspire debate, speculation, and mystery. Five very different points of view are illuminated through voice over, film clips, animation and dramatic reenactments. Together they'll draw the audience into a new maze, one with endless detours and dead ends, many ways in, but no way out.

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Plot Keywords:

number | big wheel | television commercial | mockumentary | conspiracy theory | 

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Taglines:

Some movies stay with you forever...and ever...and ever.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Rodney Ascher has gone on record saying that he does not personally believe many of the theories espoused by narrators in this film. In an interview with Complex magazine, he said, "my personal take on it is, for one, I don't think it's nearly as visionary as any one of these folks have found. I just see it as sort of a story about juggling the responsibilities of your career and family and as cautionary tale of what may happen if you make the wrong choice. And even maybe looking at the ghosts as these figures that represent fortune or prestige or things that you might be chasing at the expense of paying proper attention to your family."

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Goofs

In one of the trailers, a card is shown: "Neither this film, nor any view or opinion expressed in it, nor the context in which film footage and images are used, is approved or endorsed by, or is in any way associated with, the Kubrick 1981 Trust, Stanely Kubrick's family, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., or anyone else connected with the making of the motion picture The Shining ('The Shining Filmmakers'). The views and opinions expressed in this documentary film are solely those of the commentators in it and do not reflect the views of Stanley Kubrick or The Shining Filmmakers." Stanley Kubrick's name is misspelled in the first sentence (assuming it is not deliberate).

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Crazy Credits

The end credits scroll downward.

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Connections

Features 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

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Soundtracks

Recollected Memories from the Museum of Garden History
Composed and Performed by The Caretaker
By Arrangement with History Always Favours the Winners

User Reviews

An elaborate joke!

This film is an elaborate joke, a satire on those oh-so-earnest analyses of films one sometimes comes across. Tins of baking powder which show it is a movie about the American Indian? A German typewriter (a make which I also used to use), plus a supposed Hitler moustache in the final shot, shows it is a holocaust movie? Kubrick's face in a cloud formation? Significance in running the film backwards superimposed on running it forwards? A minor character played by an actor who also played Pontius Pilate? I would go so far as to say that The Shining itself is an elaborate joke. An enjoyable one all the same. As is Room 237. But don't take it seriously!

Details

Official Sites:

Film Sales Corp Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Room 237

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$29,693, 31 March 2013

Gross USA:

$296,359

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$367,406

Company Credits

Production Co:

Highland Park Classics, The Ebersole Hughes Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1