Scene No.2 the Credits

The Credits

Overview:

We open the film on a beautiful shot of nature that’s reflected both horizontally and vertically.

The vertical reflection deals with light and shadow, speaking to the overall structure of the film: optimistic and light in the beginning, dark and forbidding at the end.

The lake acts like a mirror, showing a horizontal reflection of the same mountains.

The traveling sequence shown as Jack travels up the mountain is repeated with the multiple traveling sequences shown across the film.

Having the location change through the scenery sets up the viewer to anticipate other signifiers of change of space.

The song heard is a reworking of a Gregorian chant, Dies Irae, the Day of Judgement. Overlayed are images of human shrills and shrieks.

Juxtaposed with the nature imagery, it can be assumed to speak for the Native American ghosts.

The film opens on a beautiful image of nature that's reflected both horizontally and vertically, establishing a visual system from the first shot.

Narrative & Thematic Devices:

American History

Both a celebration of how beautiful America is as a country, and a remembrance of how the country was “won” from the Native Americans.

The Maze

Showing Jack ascend by using scenic devices (snow, greenery turning yellow, lush greenery etc), as well as having the credits roll upwards

create the viewers connection with space established subtly (See: Room 237 above Jack’s workspace, Gold Room Hallway / Gold Room Lobby connection, Green Hallway and Bedroom location)

Structure:

The reflection device is used by Kubrick across the entire film. Heavily used with Jack and ghosts, it also applies to how spaces are set up

to speak to the Maze-like aspects of the film.

The Bird’s Eye View perspective is also something that is used across the film to establish control, access, and the hotel as maze and a symbol for the country at large.

compositional reflection

horizontal reflection; the right side speaks to the nature (natural sediment), reflects the rug in CoLounge (see Stripes)

The darkness on left side speaks to the Maze sequences with Danny & Jack

Both speak to the duality of man, man vs. nature (the nature of his innate self)

Related / Repeated Scenes:

The Torrance drive to the overlook