Book To Movie Monday (19)
For this weeks Book to Movie Monday I have decided to cover the Book To Movie conversion of The Shining.
First Let's Discuss The Book. Below Is The Cover:
Now for a little back story in case some of you aren't familiar with the Novel. The Shining is a horror novel written by Stephen King. The Shining was published in January 1977 by Doubleday books. The Shining is the first Stephen King Novel not set in Maine. The Overlook Hotel in the book is based on The Stanley hotel where King vacationed with his family. The Stanley is also where King got the idea to write the novel.
Let's look at some of the characters now shall we.
Main Protagonists
Danny Torrance- Danny is a telepathic 5 year old little boy staying at the overlook hotel. Because of Danny's telepathic ability he becomes a target for the hotel. His parents do not know he is gifted.
Jack Torrance- Jack is Father to Danny and husband to Wendy. Jack takes a Winter Caretaker job at the hotel after losing his teaching job for beating up his student. After the hotel unsuccessfully tries controlling Danny it goes after Jack using his previous drinking problem against him.
Wendy Torrance- Danny's Mother and Wife to Jack. Wendy stands by her husband and it takes some time convincing her the hotel has possessed her husband and is trying to kill Danny.
Dick Hallorann- Dick is a chef at the Overlook Hotel. Upon meeting Danny he realizes the kid has the same "shining" ability as himself. Dick initially leaves the hotel for the Winter but upon hearing Danny's cries for help returns to save him.
Major differences between the Book and the Movie.
In the Book The Grady Daughters are sisters.
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In the Movie The Grady Sisters are twins.
In the Book Jack goes on a killing rampage with a Mallet.
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In the Movie Jack goes on a killing rampage with an Axe.
In the Book Jack landscapes a garden where the hedge carved animals come alive and chase him.
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In the Movie the garden is changed to a hedge maze and isn't utilized at all until the end. Looks cool though.
In the Book the Character Tony exists inside Danny's head.
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In the Movie Tony communicates with Danny through his finger.
In the Book Jack is portrayed as a well meaning family man whose weak mind causes the hotel to eventually possess him.
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In the Movie Jack is kinda a bastard from the start and the hotel easily possesses him due to his already "evil" nature.
In the Book Stuart Ullman is manager at the hotel and really dislikes Jack and makes this known.
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In the Movie Stuart genuinely is happy to give Jack the chance at running the hotel.
In the Book Wendy is a strong self-reliant female who while standing by her husband also realizes he's gone crazy and its time to flee.
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In the Movie Wendy is a very passive woman. She only decides to flee her husband out of instinct to protect her son.
In the Book its rather straightforward why the hotel wants Danny dead.
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In the Movie the hotel is portrayed as evil but it never really states why.
In the Book Jack disables the snow cat and emergency radio by smashing them with his mallet.
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In the Movie Jack merely takes a piece of the engine out of the snow cat and removes the batteries from the radio.
I cannot possibly list all the differences as I just don't have room but if you see one I've missed feel free to mention it in the comments below!
In the end the winner for me would be the Book. While Kubrick's version is amazing and deserves major kudos for casting Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance I just felt the Book did a better job overall building the story. Watch the movie by all means but if your looking for a faithful adaption go with the miniseries instead.
Well that about wraps up this weeks Book to Movie Monday. I'll post the movie trailer down below in case your curious. Leave a Comment down below telling me which you liked better and why. Have a recommend for an upcoming Book to Movie let me know that as well.
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