The Shining

Jack Nicholson revels in his terrifying performance as Jack Torrance, the would-be writer who becomes the minotaur trapped in Kubrick’s supernatural maze.

Jack Nicholson revels in his terrifying performance as Jack Torrance, the would-be writer and winter caretaker of the vast Overlook Hotel who becomes the minotaur trapped in Kubrick’s supernatural maze, as he descends into madness. Quite possibly the most speculated-upon film ever made, Kubrick made the quintessential psychological horror film on the first attempt. Gloriously disturbing, unforgettable, must-see cinema.

The film is presented here in its US version which – at 144 minutes - runs 24 minutes longer than the standard European version. The US cut was largely unseen by British audiences, and never officially released, prior to the BFI's theatrical release of this version in 2012. Ranked joint 88th in the 2022 Sight and Sound Great Films of All Time poll.