Stephen King is one of the most accomplished authors in the literary world, and his work is relished as some of the best material for cinematic adaptions a screenwriter could ask for. While some were better than others, It and The Shining reign as two of the most popular and successful Hollywood movies.
Though fans bicker about how different the movies are from the books, both films have become cult classics, with fans debating which one transitioned to the world of cinema better. With that, here are 5 reasons The Shining is the best screen adaptation, and five reasons it’s IT.
THE SHINING: Jack Nicholson
Jack Torrance is a complex character, as fans of the book know that despite his struggle with his alcoholism, he has genuine love for his family. His depiction by Jack Nicholson presented him as a one-dimensional alcoholic, annoyed by his family's presence while trying to finish his play. Despite being a different Jack than the one from the book, Jack Nicholson was masterful in his ability to show the character lose his sanity. From his intense stares to creepy grins, Jack Nicholson depicted the monster Jack Torrance becomes perfectly. It's hard to imagine anyone else portraying the character.
IT: Bill Skarsgård
Bill Skarsgård immersed himself into the character of Pennywise, nailing every little tic from his voice, laugh, and even eye movement (no, that wasn't CGI). Though almost unrecognizable beneath the makeup, Skarsgård is worthy of the praise given to him for bringing the horrifying creature from the book to life. Tim Curry's version was creepy, but Skarsgård was terrifying with the impulsive behavior, remorseless nature, and a never-ending appetite for fear. And to top it all off, he made clowns even scarier than they already were before.
THE SHINING: The Musical Score
A musical score can either make or break a movie, luckily for The Shining, it made it ten times scarier. The background noises and music are haunting and unsettling, instilling fear into those looking to check-in for their weekend vacation in the Rocky Mountains.
From the iconic opening soundtrack to the drum filled choruses while the Ghosts reveal themselves to Wendy, every piece of music in this movie plays along perfectly with the corresponding scene. A movie is the progression of events with the score setting the tempo, The Shining soundtrack went full throttle with it.
IT: The Losers Club
The comedy and companionship found within the Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and others were simply superb, all with unique personalities that tied them together simply because they're, well, losers.
Each one brought something to the table that ended up becoming integral to beating It. On top of that, each one was cast perfectly, with every character's distinct quirks intact.
THE SHINING: The Ghosts
Supernatural beings are portrayed differently in every movie they're in, and they've come a long way from the sheet-covered bodies with eye holes in them. The ghosts from The Shining are terrifying because of their looming presence and realistic behavior. Horror doesn't mean blood and guts, sometimes it's the loosening grip on what's real and what's not that can make a person go mad. The Overlook is full of horrors, with the ghosts dead set on making their new guests into permanent residents. If Hotel Califonia is really about vampires, then the same applies here; the Torrances can check in anytime they like, but they can never leave.
IT: Staying true to the Roots
Like many others, books don't always translate perfectly to the movie realm as they're just the tip of the iceberg. Often times authors are disgruntled with what was left out, or made up for the sake of the movie (being scared a few times. Now that's high praise.
THE SHINING: The Overlook Hotel
Jaws made viewers wary of open water and fearful of sharks. Friday the 13th made Sleepaway Camp a nightmare-inducing summer trip. The Shining made everyone skeptical of old hotels and scared of the effects of isolation on the human psyche.
This is King and Kubrick at their best, terrifying viewers to the core of something as inviting as a hotel. Though it may not be as scary as Pennywise, it's terrifying in its ability to drain the sanity of its guests. Jack Torrance was already struggling with alcohol, then he struggled with seeing ghosts.
IT: Derry
The fictional town of Derry is a quintessential New England town nestled in the corner state of Maine. However, it's the innocent-looking towns that always have skeletons in their closets, with Derry being no exception. Derry hosts one of the most terrifying monsters from King's universe, living in the underground sewers.
It hit the nail on the head with its depiction of the town with every character who has experienced some sort of trauma at one time or another. The cinematography in the introductory scene alone was enough for viewers to know there wasn't something right about the place.
THE SHINING: Test of Time
The Shining was released in 1980 and is still scarring viewers today with its creepy setting, characters, and score. But what's amazing is that it's stood the test of time, aging like wine as a horror classic despite the confusing ending. This is a sign of a great movie, one that can transcend the social climate at the time of its release and still shock viewers 40 years down the road. Bravo, Stanley Kubrick.
IT: Double Feature Success
It is one of King's longest novels, which is why the movie was divided into two parts. The first part introduced fans to the alien creature that hungers for the losers club. The second part introduced new actors but still managed to capture the same charisma and charm the old group had. The two-chapter movie was a perfect combination of memorable comedy and terrifying monsters, a balance of genre while staying true to what King had originally written.
