Kubrick fans lose it over Taschen epic
A comprehensive two-volume examination of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film The Shining offers collectors unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes materials and production insights. Oscar-winning director Lee Unkrich collaborated with J.W. Rinzler to produce the 1,396-page hardcover featuring previously unseen photographs, production documents, and personal notes from the Stanley Kubrick Archive.
The book reveals cut footage and storylines that never appeared in the final film. Jack Torrance’s discovery of a mysterious scrapbook originally received more extensive screen time with multiple scenes showing his obsession. Unkrich discovered unused footage of a miniature, frozen Jack figure positioned in a snow-covered maze model, suggesting Kubrick planned an overhead perspective shot that would transition to a hospital epilogue sequence.
Primary source materials dispel longtime rumors about the production. Script supervisor notes clarify actual take counts for famous scenes and contradict stories about Jack Nicholson being fed only cheese sandwiches. The book features handwritten memos exchanged between Kubrick and studio executives.
Unkrich conducted extensive interviews with cast members, notably spending a full day with Shelley Duvall. The actress remembers Kubrick fondly despite the demanding shoot and remains proud of her performance. The book sells for $125 from Taschen publishers.
