The Shining 4K UHD (1980)

[Nitroboy]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

Thanks. I might just stick with my DVD.

Lol.
Another way to get the best of both worlds is to rip your 4K disc, and then mux in the original mono track.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by Nitroboy

Lol.
Another way to get the best of both worlds is to rip your 4K disc, and then mux in the original mono track.

I didn’t buy the 4K disc. I might at some point but I’m not in any rush. I wonder how likely it is that another edition will be released at some point with the mono track.

[Bn43]

Just watched this disc for the second time in a year. I sympathize with people wanting the original audio track, but I thought the 5.1 sounded so good. Loved how the music moved across the channels. In the first minute, I had to stop and recut the wire ends of the cable to my right surround, because the ominous music exposed a rattle that I hadn't noticed in the frequencies of other movies since I replaced that whole cable a few months ago. I wonder if banana plugs would improve my sound at all. My connections all seem good now.

I would have liked to see one day how the 4:3 television version looks. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna get this on DVD.

[KevinStriker]

I mean, it's not like I can force you to buy it, but the 1999 and 2001 DVDs are both cheap as dirt if you're the least bit curious.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

prepare yourself. the changes they made makes the fact we couldn't get an original MONO audio track on the 4K is inexcusable.


Home Video Philology: A Case Study of “The Shining� (1980) - Abridged for YouTube - YouTube

After watching this video I can see why people are upset about the mono not being included, and I am too, but it’s not that terrible. There are a few mistakes with certain pieces of music fading too soon or too late or stopping abruptly when they shouldn’t, but it’s not jarring and nothing else really bothers me. And it seems like there weren’t any new elements used so it’s not really revisionist.

I realized the DVD I have only has the 5.1. I used to have the older box set with some of the movies being in open matte but I sold it and kept the newer box set.

[crazybeats]

I think once the remainder of the Kubrick family passes away will be when the next major release of his films come out. Until then I just expect this to be it with the same old extras. The family just wont allow Warner Bros to release the extra footage they have for his movies while they are still alive.

[Roy_Batty]

Originally Posted by crazybeats

I think once the remainder of the Kubrick family passes away will be when the next major release of his films come out. Until then I just expect this to be it with the same old extras. The family just wont allow Warner Bros to release the extra footage they have for his movies while they are still alive.

Well prepare to be waiting for a while. Stanley has three daughters, They are probably in their early sixties, Vivian the youngest is probably by now 55?. So
Stanleys wife will probably go first. But his kids, prepare to wait at least another 25-30 years. Probably by that time Physical media will not exist at all.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Roy_Batty

Stanleys wife will probably go first. But his kids, prepare to wait at least another 25-30 years. Probably by that time Physical media will not exist at all.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Physical Media...GO CHECK IT OUT!

I just really like that line....

[4kUltraBD]

I just finished watching this disc, and I swear that The Shining is one of those films that just gets better and better with each subsequent viewing. I have watched this film many times previously (although this was my first time watching the UHD), and I feel I gain a better understanding each time.

Nicholson's performance here is flat out amazing. Yes, he's "doing crazy" here, but there's a nuance to his performance that goes far beyond simply acting insane and shouting your dialogue. When he talks to Danny in a scene where Danny is trying to fetch a toy, he's trying to reassure the child, and seemingly himself, at the same time. Neither Danny, nor the audience believes a word he says there...and I'm quite sure that even the character Jack doesn't really believe it either, even though he seems to want to.

I could go on with several examples of this level of nuance coming from Nicholson, but I don't want to spoil the ride for anyone.

The technical aspects of this disc leave me a bit less enthusiastic. First and foremost, the aspect ratio caught me off guard. I thought this would be presented in what used to be referred to as "full screen", and I was surprised to see the widescreen presentation here. Honestly, I wouldn't have a huge problem with this if both versions of the film would have been included in 4k, however, we are left with this singular version.

Also, once again, there's no original audio on this disc. WHY oh why can studios NOT get this right?!?! I'm growing weary of these half baked releases...seriously.

On a positive note, the look of the image is mostly nice looking, with only a handful (or less) of moments where something stuck out as not being quite right. An early shot in the film, has a blip in the sky at the top of the screen, for instance. There were also times, when the lighting/brightness level seemed to suddenly jump/change.

Overall, I'll rate the film an enthusiastic 4.25/5 stars and give the transfer a 3/5 stars. I'm sorry Warner, but with such a classic film, you really should have knocked everything out of the park with this release. Give us both versions of the film and with the original audio.

[Zombie Dude]

Originally Posted by 4kUltraBD

I just finished watching this disc, and I swear that The Shining is one of those films that just gets better and better with each subsequent viewing. I have watched this film many times previously (although this was my first time watching the UHD), and I feel I gain a better understanding each time.

Nicholson's performance here is flat out amazing. Yes, he's "doing crazy" here, but there's a nuance to his performance that goes far beyond simply acting insane and shouting your dialogue. When he talks to Danny in a scene where Danny is trying to fetch a toy, he's trying to reassure the child, and seemingly himself, at the same time. Neither Danny, nor the audience believes a word he says there...and I'm quite sure that even the character Jack doesn't really believe it either, even though he seems to want to.

I could go on with several examples of this level of nuance coming from Nicholson, but I don't want to spoil the ride for anyone.

The technical aspects of this disc leave me a bit less enthusiastic. First and foremost, the aspect ratio caught me off guard. I thought this would be presented in what used to be referred to as "full screen", and I was surprised to see the widescreen presentation here. Honestly, I wouldn't have a huge problem with this if both versions of the film would have been included in 4k, however, we are left with this singular version.

Also, once again, there's no original audio on this disc. WHY oh why can studios NOT get this right?!?! I'm growing weary of these half baked releases...seriously.

On a positive note, the look of the image is mostly nice looking, with only a handful (or less) of moments where something stuck out as not being quite right. An early shot in the film, has a blip in the sky at the top of the screen, for instance. There were also times, when the lighting/brightness level seemed to suddenly jump/change.

Overall, I'll rate the film an enthusiastic 4.25/5 stars and give the transfer a 3/5 stars. I'm sorry Warner, but with such a classic film, you really should have knocked everything out of the park with this release. Give us both versions of the film and with the original audio.

Wasn't this screened theatrically in widescreen though? I thought the full screen was just those early home video versions.

[4kUltraBD]

Originally Posted by Zombie Dude

Wasn't this screened theatrically in widescreen though? I thought the full screen was just those early home video versions.

I’m honestly not aware. I would have been 3 years old when this was in cinemas.

On a serious note, it could have been shown that way theatrically, but I’ve been under the impression that SK’s preferred version is the “full screen” version, but I could be wrong. I really like this film, but I don’t know its history at all, and I’ve been wrong before on these types of things.

Anyone is welcome to correct me, if I’m all wrong about this.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by 4kUltraBD

I’m honestly not aware. I would have been 3 years old when this was in cinemas.

On a serious note, it could have been shown that way theatrically, but I’ve been under the impression that SK’s preferred version is the “full screen” version, but I could be wrong. I really like this film, but I don’t know its history at all, and I’ve been wrong before on these types of things.

Anyone is welcome to correct me, if I’m all wrong about this.

Did you only watch it once on DVD like 20 years ago? Serious question, because it's been in 'widescreen' all the way through the HD media era, coming up on 15 years.

BTW, it was composed for and theatrically exhibited at 1.85 as per SK's specific instructions. All this "4:3" bollox is a mixture of Stanley's pragmatism when faced with the TV technology OF THE TIME (just like Cameron's "Letterbox Heresies" with the 4:3 versions of his Super 35 movies) and Leon Vitali's utter failure to grasp anything remotely technical.

[4kUltraBD]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Did you only watch it once on DVD like 20 years ago? Serious question, because it's been in 'widescreen' all the way through the HD media era, coming up on 15 years.

BTW, it was composed for and theatrically exhibited at 1.85 as per SK's specific instructions. All this "4:3" bollox is a mixture of Stanley's pragmatism when faced with the TV technology OF THE TIME (just like Cameron's "Letterbox Heresies" with the 4:3 versions of his Super 35 movies) and Leon Vitali's utter failure to grasp anything remotely technical.

I’ve watched it several times, but yes, it was from the old DVD, VHS tape rentals, cable showings, etc. I never had the BD of this film, oddly.

Thanks for the information though. Like I said, I didn’t really know the history of The Shining, and I did think the 4:3 aspect ratio was correct. You learn something new every day.

[Gacivory]

Was that the quickest an aspect ratio conversation has happened in a Stanley Kubrick thread?

[painted_klown]

I only watch this on my laser-disc, but this forum doesn't have a laser-disc (or VHS) section. It really needs both though. Like, seriously, it would be nice.

Is this 4k worth buying?

[KevinStriker]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

Was that the quickest an aspect ratio conversation has happened in a Stanley Kubrick thread?

I know, right? It was refreshing. lol

[Nosferatu31]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

I only watch this on my laser-disc, but this forum doesn't have a laser-disc (or VHS) section. It really needs both though. Like, seriously, it would be nice.

Is this 4k worth buying?

Absolutely, but just like the Halloween 4K, it is missing the original mono.

[4kUltraBD]

Originally Posted by KevinStriker

I know, right? It was refreshing. lol

Meh...nothing to really discuss that isn't easily verified, as it's not a matter of opinion, but a matter of fact.

Someone asked me if this was shown widescreen theatrically.

I said I didn't know.

Third person says yes.

I learned something new.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by 4kUltraBD

Meh...nothing to really discuss that isn't easily verified, as it's not a matter of opinion, but a matter of fact.

Someone asked me if this was shown widescreen theatrically.

I said I didn't know.

Third person says yes.

I learned something new.

Did you just wake up from a coma? Never use the internet anymore? Facts are debated now. People won't agree on facts.