Jack Nicholson's powerful performance as the mad father and husband is as over the top as it is brilliant. Shelley Duvall, who plays the worrying wife who tries to help her son, is also a stand out; she shows a kind of trembling fear in many scenes and is able to display weakness and vulnerability in a very convincing way. Undoubtedly, The Shining is full of memorable moments (the elevator scene or the 'Heeeeeere's Johnny' one-liner for instance) and, simply put, it's flawlessly brilliant.
Stanley Kubrick's direction is pure excellence, giving the whole film a cold and atmospheric look, thus creating an unbearable sense of paranoia and terror. There are moments of sheer brilliance and exquisite perfection in this film; the horrifying maze chase is a perfect example. Every single shot is masterfully created and there are some genuinely scary scenes which will make you sit on the edge of your seat.
The entire movie was created entirely on the sound stages and back lot of Elstree Studios, London, England.
But Kubrick selected the Timberline Lodge on the edge of majestic Mt. Hood in the state of Oregon for the exteriors shots and the lobby & Lounge of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in California.
Glacier National Park, Montana
The opening title sequence of the film was primarily photographed over Glacier National Park in the state of Montana. The lake is called Saint Mary Lake and the highway is known as the Going to the Sun Road.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Kubrick selected the Timberline Lodge on the edge of majestic Mt. Hood in the state of Oregon. None of the interiors of the movie were filmed here, only the outdoor establishing shots. The interior of the Timberline doesn't appear to have inspired any settings from the movie, with the possible exception of the strong American Indian influence
Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California
This set, the main location in the movie, was modeled very closely after the Lounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in California.
