The Shining analysis

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1. The wide shot used allows us to take in all aspects of the environment and clues as to where it is set. The natural, blues and greens confuse the audience misleading them, as to the

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genre of the film, as the colours used arent typical of a stereotypical horror. The reflection in the lake could be a sign of a double meaning or reflecting that the story isnt transparent, and its breaking the mould of a typical horror. The focus of the first shot being the small island in the middle of the lake, suggests this idea of enclosure and entrapment, of something miniscule being overtaken by an object/place of a larger scale. The second screen shot is similar to the first, however the angle is Dutch. The use of the tilted angle creates ambiguity and unease about the opening sequence, foreshadowing that something bad may happen. The contrasting music, to the natural scenery similar to that of the obscure angle again creates an uneasy vibe representing the genre. The single track of the road surrounded by the darker colours of the forest and the lake, combine the manmade structure which in this case is being surrounded/other thrown by nature. The shadows and the eerily music remind the audience as to the type of film they are experiencing. By breaking the mould of a typical horror film creating an unorthodox version it surprises the audience, generating a new viewing experience and enjoyment whilst causing an ineffable unease. Again a wide shot is used to allow the audience to take in view and the natural, desolated surroundings suggesting the theme of abandonment .The title is in simple block capitals, however in a surprising bright blue. The brightness of the title contrasts to the duller more natural colours of the surroundings and is not a colour we usually associate with a horror film. Played alongside the eerily out of place music, the obscurity of the titles adds to the haunting, out of place atmosphere. The time period in which the movie is set is suggested due to the old Beatle. The tracking shot of the Beatle again emphasises the miniscule scale of the car relating to humans compared to the vast unpredictable landscape. The camera continues to track the car, changing the prospective of the audiences view, to an eye line level shot, as if we were a passenger in an overtaking car. The significance of a journey is relatable in this shot involving the audience more, bringing them into the action. The two main colours in this shot are yellow and grey. The grey representing the consumption of this small in comparison, car and the lines on the road to the all-consuming grey surrounding the car on all sides. Breaking away from the tracking shot following the car, to the sloping mountains and sky to introduce the title, highlights a level of significance. The title moves up from the bottom of the screen to dominate the centre of the image focusing the audiences attention on the title, again in the startling, bright blue colour, which could relate to the title the shining. We follow the reappearance of the car again, and in this shot the car is travelling into a blacked out tunnel in the mountain side, which could foreshadow daunting events that happen within the film relating to the unknown and the contrast between bad and good. Ideas of entering a new place, through the tunnel could be a connotation to the approach of the familys destination. In the shot is another car, this is one of the few other signs of civilisation we have been shown, commenting of the lacking population of the cars destination and the idea of isolation. The continuation of the single track road could be significant for the length of their journey, but also emphasises the isolated, small town/place the car is heading. Again the wide shot shows us the beautiful environment, and the massive scale of the surroundings. A slight change in the environment of the snow on the mountains/hills present the nearing of the final destination of the car, and the denouement of the journey.

9. Finally we are shown an extremely barren landscape, with the faint makings out of a large house/hotel. Images of isolation are brought to mind, with the single lone building which merges into the landscape to the point that it is just visible. With a few pine trees and snow, the landscape looks abandoned and deteriorated adding a frightening feel to the house backed up by the creepy music. Is it evident that this is the destination of the car being the last shot we are shown, setting the tone of horror, by relating the previous beauty of the landscape to the dull hillside with a limited population.

The simplicity and unobvious plot of the opening sequence, paired with the natural imagery and haunting music manages to create an eerily beautiful opening scene. The audience are left guessing, and intrigued by the lack of information and detail given. However the genre is distinguished by the haunting uneasy music creating the environment that something is not quite right.