The Shining: Danny’s Point of View

The Shining: Danny
’s Point of View

In Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, the camera acts like an observer, carefully watching the scene and the characters from a distance.  The camera also appears to stalk characters from the side as they are walking.  Kubrick made the choice to often place the camera behind Danny, almost like we are seeing scenes from his point of view.  When he first sees the ghosts of the two dead girls in the game room, we quickly see his face but then we instantly see everything from his point of view again.

  An explanation of Kubrick’s technique may be due to Danny’s ability to sense the hotel’s strange past.  Danny “shines” and is able to see visions during the movie.  As he pedals through the halls of The Overlook, we adopt his view, allowing the audience to gain greater insight into the situation around him throughout film.  

Of the many shots of Danny riding his tricycle around the Overlook Hotel, the camera is in many different locations. Sometimes it seems as if we are stalking Danny from behind. Other times it was located over his shoulder or even on the ground near the wheels.

Kubrick employs a powerful POV shot when Danny approaches room 237.  It puts Danny’s interest and curiousness into perspective.