The Shining (film itself)

[BStecke]

Ok, I know there are a bunch of Shining threads, but this one isn't about the disc itself, but the film. Anyway . . . I've seen this a few times, and I've heard a lot of people's interpretations of what happens. What's the significance of the photo at the end of the film? I kind of took it to mean that Jack was absorbed into The Overlook, but the focus appears to be more on the date than the picture itself, which leads me to believe I'm incorrect. What do you guys think?

[SS316SRV]

I believe that Jack Torrence was the initial axe killer, he was reincarnated.

[whoisquilty]

Jack Torrence has become part of the Overlook. He's not reincarnated. He's become part of the "crowd" of ghosts that inhabit the Overlook. There is talk all the way throughout the film from the ghosts about him joining them or that certain things aren't a matter that concern him...yet.

The significance of the 1921 date is to tie the party scenes together with the end of the film. Jack has become part of the Jazz Age party that is forever going on at the Overlook.

Now, let's try to explain the guy in the dog suit giving the other guy a blow job on the bed...

[J6P]

There are parts of this movie that I can't watch to this day, and I'm 42. Creep factor off the charts. I love it.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Jack is being reborn to continue bringing new souls into the Overlook. He's not the only one either as Grady is also in the rotation being the guy who killed the twin girls before Jack returned.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by whoisquilty

Jack Torrence has become part of the Overlook. He's not reincarnated. He's become part of the "crowd" of ghosts that inhabit the Overlook. There is talk all the way throughout the film from the ghosts about him joining them or that certain things aren't a matter that concern him...yet.

The significance of the 1921 date is to tie the party scenes together with the end of the film. Jack has become part of the Jazz Age party that is forever going on at the Overlook.

Now, let's try to explain the guy in the dog suit giving the other guy a blow job on the bed...

Or not... The hotel manager explained to Jack that the murder/suicide happend five years ago. So not reincarnation, but Jack does mention to Wendy that he seemed to know what was around every corner of the Overlook. Was he possesed by the evil axe murdering spirit from the moment he walked into the joint? Gradey said he was always the care taker there which perhaps the look a like image of Jack in the 1921 new years eve party is just that. A symbol of identification for the audience to identify as a long standing relationship between Jack and the Overlook. Still a bit vague, but this is Kubrick we are talking about. Stephen King's book might explain better. Kubrick uses a lot of visual symbolism in his films to tell the story....

[Grisle]

I think they needed to focus on the date just so you didn't think the photo was taken recently. I agree with everyone that says Jack is now a part of the Overlook.