The Shining Analysis

The Shining, released in 1980, is a psychological thriller, which since its release has been regarded as a classic within its genre. Psychological thrillers typically focus on the unstable emotional state of character, along with elements of mystery and thriller, and it is from these themes the audience is able to identify the genre of film.
   The film was given an age certificate of 15, suggesting to me the target audience to be 15 to late thirties. I think the film reaches it audience, as the film is based around one family and their relationships, in which all can relate to.
   From the trailer we learn that a man is moving to a hotel in the winter with his wife and son. The audience is told that the previous caretaker that worked there, due to a mental breakdown caused by such severe isolation, had killed his wife and kids. This back story is revealed to the audience through a voice over, however, the back story is important as it shows the history behind the situation the viewer will be presented with in the film, and it deepens the psychological aspect of the story. The use of a back story is a key convention often used in psychological thrillers. It may hint towards the characters motivations and his current situation. However, many questions are left unanswered to the audience, but it is clearly shown to the audience that something has led the man to violence in which he aims at his wife and son. Nothing is suggested at to what has led the man to such madness, or the significance of the back story. Is there a link between the two? There is a great code of enigma created here, and I think it is the mystery of the trailer which is the films unique selling point.
   The film trailer lasts one minute twenty eight seconds, consisting of eighty four camera shots. Particular types of camera shots are used frequently within the trailer, one of these being the long establishing shots of the hotel. Whilst simply setting the scene to the audience, it shows the hotel stood by itself, emphasising the isolation and remoteness of the hotel. Close ups are very frequently used, this usually on the characters faces. Showing their facial expressions, these usually showing fear, creates tension and causes the viewer to ask the question as to what is causing them to feel scared. Several medium two-shots are used, this establishing the relationships between the different characters.
   The most used transition between the different camera shots within this trailer are jump cuts. To begin with, the editing is rather slow whilst establishing the back story and introducing us to the characters. However as more is revealed to the audience, the faster these become, creating a great sense of momentum. This will excite the audience, leading them to the big climax. As well as this fades to black are occasionally used. One prominent use of this, is when the shot of the main male character, appearing rather menacing, is repeated, zooming in closer each time. After this we see a fade to black. This creates an uneasy atmosphere, as it emphasises his suspicious character. The audience will question his intentions and what has caused him to act in this particular way, this therefore intriguing the viewer, whilst adding to the dark mood.
   Both diegetic and non-diegetic sound is effective in creating the mood of the film. At the start of the trailer, there is the non-diegetic, ghostly eerie sound, as we hear the back story to the film. This gives the audience the impression that there is something unsettled from the very beginning, intriguing the reader to find out what this will lead to. The high pitched screeches and the repetition of the bell ringing create a tense atmosphere, as alongside this is a repetitive drumming sound. As the drumming picks up pace, so does the speed of the camera shots. This builds a lot of momentum, creating a sense of excitement for the audience. This is showing a build up to a climax, which is conventional to a psychotic thriller.
   Many expectations are created through the diegetic dialogue, for example, just after we see the main character strike an axe into a door, the camera then cuts to the scene, where he then says, “I can assure you Mr Ullman, that's not going to happen with me.”. The audience learn this is not the case, and in some way or another, the man's behaviour becomes aggressive, which hints to what causes the drama within the story. The audience are expecting something bad to happen as a result of the man. When the boy says, “Is something bad here?” the audience will question this too, now becoming intrigued to find out the answer.        
   The viewer is shown two sides to the main character, seeing the pleasant man talking civilly to his boss, alongside his dark, menacing side. This can been seen when we see him striking an axe into the door, and then the camera jumps to him in the office, as it shows the strong contrast between his two sides. This creates a sense of suspicion about his character, making the audience question whether we can trust him. His personality is not made clear to the audience, and it is made obvious here that he is likely to be responsible for the drama and tension of the film. The mother and son are presented as the weaker characters, which is rather stereotypical, while the controlling male takes control. It is also good to note the fact that not very much interaction is seen between the father and son compared to that seen with the mother. This suggests a divide between the characters, the reason unknown to the audience.
   The mise-en-scene is another effective way in which mood and atmosphere is created. We see the hotel appearing lonely, in the middle nowhere. This creates a mysterious atmosphere, creating a sense of intrigue to the audience. Mazes are often seen as something where the outcome is always uncertain, so the use of the maze adds to this sense of mystery. It also suggests there lack of safety, as it could go either way. The use of props, such as the axe, knife and baseball bat, all symbolise violence, but they also emphasise their unsafety as they feel the need for protection and a form of defence. This adds to the drama.
   The inter titles reveal no hints towards the plot of the film, this is left purely to the visuals and dialogue. The titles just give the viewer information on the production of the film, e.g the director, giving an even greater sense of mystery, providing even less unanswered questions.
   The film studio has used a trailer in order to market its product as it's the most effective way of capturing the initial interest of the audience, and creates a sense of excitement and sets the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the film. Moving image and sound is the most effective way to do this, as it allows them to stir the emotions of the viewer, in which still image wouldn't be able to do.
   The film trailer was successful in targeting its audience, allowing them to relate to the different relationships seen in the trailer. Overall, the trailer is a very effective promotional device for this film, as it establishes the film genre as thriller due to the mysterious atmosphere, causing the audience to become excited. It also presents its unique selling point as the mysterious aspect, wanting to make people go out and watch the film. The Shining is a critically acclaimed film, and to this day still has an influence on popular culture.