Background
Stanley Kubrick was a film director, producer, and screenwriter in the United States who is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His horror films, including The Shining, The Killing, Lolita, Eyes Wide Shut, Dr. Strangelove, and A Clockwork Orange, are among the most influential and acclaimed in cinema history.
Purpose
This article will explore the plots, analyses, and legacies of Kubrick’s horror films. Additionally, the themes, style, reception, and influence of Kubrick’s work will be examined.
Plot
The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film based on the 1977 Stephen King novel of the same name. The film follows Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. During his stay, Jack is haunted by ghosts of the past, and his descent into madness leads to horrific consequences.
Analysis
The Shining employs a range of horror film conventions, such as the isolated setting, the menacing presence of the supernatural, and the slow build to a terrifying climax. Kubrick also makes use of the Steadicam in order to create a sense of unease and dread.
Legacy
The Shining has been extremely influential on subsequent horror films. It is widely cited as one of the scariest films of all time, and has been referenced in numerous other works of art.
Plot
The Killing is a 1956 crime drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White. The film follows a group of criminals who plan and execute a heist at a racetrack. The group soon discovers that the heist is more complicated than they anticipated, and their plan quickly unravels.
Analysis
The Killing is a noir thriller that utilizes a number of film noir conventions, such as the use of shadows and low-key lighting, and a complex storyline. It also features dynamic camera movements, and a score that emphasizes the mood and tension of the film.
Legacy
The Killing was not a commercial success upon its initial release, but it has since become one of Kubrick’s most acclaimed films. It has been cited as a major influence on later heist films, and is often seen as a precursor to the heist genre.
Plot
Lolita is a 1962 comedy-drama film adapted from the 1955 novel of the same name by Vladimir Nabokov. The film follows Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged professor who becomes infatuated with his landlady’s pre-teen daughter, Lolita. Humbert takes Lolita on a road trip, and the two soon become embroiled in a twisted and dangerous love affair.
Analysis
Kubrick uses a range of techniques to create a sense of discomfort and unease throughout the film, such as the use of wide-angle lenses, long takes, and long shots. He also employs a range of visual metaphors and symbols to convey the themes of the film.
Legacy
Lolita has been widely praised for its provocative and controversial subject matter, and for its bold visual style. It has been cited as a major influence on later films, and is often seen as a precursor to the New French Extremity movement.
Plot
Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 psychological drama film adapted from the 1926 novella Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler. The film follows Dr. Bill Harford, who embarks on a nightmarish journey of sexual awakening and personal discovery.
Analysis
Eyes Wide Shut is a dreamlike exploration of the subconscious, with many of its scenes taking place in eroticized dreamscapes. Kubrick employs a range of techniques to convey the surreal atmosphere of the film, such as the use of slow motion, close-ups, and a non-linear structure.
Legacy
Eyes Wide Shut has been praised for its dreamlike atmosphere and its exploration of sexuality and desire. Many critics have cited it as one of Kubrick’s most underrated films.
Plot
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a 1964 black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows the insane General Jack D. Ripper, who orders a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. The film is a satire of the Cold War and its dangerous consequences.
Analysis
Kubrick employs a variety of techniques to convey the absurdity of the film’s premise, such as surreal visuals, rapid editing, and a tongue-in-cheek soundtrack. The film also features a number of memorable characters, such as the titular Dr. Strangelove, played by Peter Sellers.
Legacy
Dr. Strangelove is widely regarded as one of the greatest satirical films of all time, and has been cited as an influence on later comedies. It has also been praised for its insight into the psychology of the Cold War.
Plot
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film adapted from the 1962 novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess. The film follows Alex, a young delinquent who undergoes a controversial experiment that is meant to cure him of his violent tendencies.
Analysis
Kubrick employs a range of techniques to convey the themes of the film, such as the use of fast-paced editing, slow motion, and jarring sound effects. The film also features a number of iconic visuals, such as the “droogs” in their signature white overalls.
Legacy
A Clockwork Orange has been widely praised for its daring subject matter and its exploration of violence and morality. It is often seen as a precursor to the “body horror” genre, and has been cited as an influence on other films.
Violence
Kubrick’s films often explore the themes of violence and its consequences. The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, and Dr. Strangelove all feature characters whose violent behavior leads to disastrous outcomes.
Morality
Kubrick’s films often explore the notion of morality and its complexities. Lolita and Eyes Wide Shut both feature protagonists who are forced to confront the moral implications of their actions.
Identity
Kubrick’s films often feature characters who are struggling to find their identity. The protagonists of The Killing, Lolita, and Eyes Wide Shut are all on journeys of self-discovery and personal growth.
Cinematography
Kubrick’s films are renowned for their striking visuals. He often employed a range of unorthodox camera techniques, such as low-angle shots, tracking shots, and wide-angle lenses.
Editing
Kubrick was known for his meticulous editing style, often spending months or even years editing his films. He often employed a range of techniques, such as jump cuts and long takes, to create a distinct visual style.
Soundtrack
Kubrick was known for his use of unconventional music in his films. He often employed classical music, such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in A Clockwork Orange, in order to create a sense of tension and dread.
Critical Response
Kubrick’s films have been widely praised by critics. The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, and Dr. Strangelove have all been praised as timeless classics, while Lolita and Eyes Wide Shut have been praised for their provocative subject matter.
Box Office Performance
Kubrick’s films have had mixed box office success. The Shining and A Clockwork Orange were both commercial successes, while The Killing and Lolita were not. Dr. Strangelove and Eyes Wide Shut were both modest successes.
Other Films
Kubrick’s films have had a major influence on subsequent films. The Shining has been cited as an influence on the horror genre, while A Clockwork Orange has been cited as an influence on the body horror genre.
Other Directors
Kubrick’s work has been a major influence on other filmmakers. Directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg have cited Kubrick as an influence on their work.
Other Genres
Kubrick’s films have had an influence on other genres, such as science fiction and comedy. His use of unusual camera angles, fast-paced editing, and surreal visuals have been cited as major influences on later science fiction films, while his black comedy in Dr. Strangelove has been cited as an influence on later comedies.
Summary
Stanley Kubrick’s horror films have had a major influence on cinema. His films explore a range of themes, such as violence, morality, and identity. Kubrick’s films also feature a unique visual style, with his use of unorthodox camera techniques, editing, and music having a major influence on later films.
Burgess, A. (1962). A Clockwork Orange. London: Heinemann.
King, S. (1977). The Shining. New York: Doubleday.
Nabokov, V. (1955). Lolita. London: Putnam.
Schnitzler, A. (1926). Dream Story. Berlin: S. Fischer.
