Novel Ending Vs. Movie Ending

[I Am the Adam]

I just rewatched The Shinning for about the millionth time (that **** never gets not scary), and it occurred to me that I can't definitely say whether or not I like the book's ending better than the movie's. Sentimental fool that I am, I kinda like that Holleran lives in the book... but the ending in the movie seems more lastingly creepy than having the hotel blow way the f@ck up, a la the novel.

I'd like to hear y'alls opinions, so please post your thoughts.

[GNTLGNT]

I'm a traditionalist-I usually always favor the novel endings...(I also believe the world is flat)...

[sam peebles]

I'll agree that the ending to the movie is definitely creepier than the book. The book ends on a bit of a feel-good note, with some redemption on the part of Jack, and then finally Danny playing in the lake (if I'm remembering it correctly). Not sure which one is better though. I suppose it depends on what kind of mood I'm in.

[fushingfeef]

The whole subplot about the pressure building up in the boiler was a big part of the tension in the book, and I always wish it had been in the movie. So I do prefer the novel's ending. However, I think I can see why director Stanley Kubrick didn't want to have the cinematic cliche of an explosion at the ending. That close-up of Jack in the 1920's picture always gave me the willies and it does have a certain creepy resonance.

[Goodlovin]

I kind of like the movie ending because its way creepier.

I do find Jack to be one of my favorite characters by Mr King so I enjoy the end when Jack kind of takes control again if only for a second or two.

One is an epic move and one is an epic book so I'm good either way.

[MemnochTheDevil]

Yeah, I was totally thrown by the different endings as well. I saw Kubrick's Shining first and loved the creepy photo ending. I can't remember in which order I read the book or saw the redone TV series after that, but remember wondering how the whole "boiler room escalation to explosion" could have been completely skipped over and left out. I'm definately a fan of the book and TV series more than the original movie, but I was more impressed with Kubrick's creep factor ending than with King's explosion. Shame they couldn't have combined them. Hotel is destroyed and as they are going through the debris remains the camera pans down to an old timey picture in the snow with charred edges from the fire, but with Jack in the background and an impossible date at the bottom. Such a nice twist.

[RichardX]

Hard to believe but as a lifelong SK fan I had never read The Shining until recently. The movie was so good it almost made it seem pointless. But the book is a great one with some of King's creepiest scenes. I was aware of the whole book v movie debate and what surprised me most is how much was the same. Maybe it's a matter of perspective. I view the movie as based on the book but not bound to every detail. What works in a book doesn't always work in a movie. And both book and movie are great in their own ways. The mini-series bored me silly though.