A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter, where a sinister presence influences the father into violence. At the same time, his psychic son sees horrifying forebodings from both the past and the future.
Kubrick’s horror masterpiece is set in an isolated mountain hotel – the Overlook – whose exterior is Oregon’s Timberline Lodge, whose interiors and hedge maze were vast sets built in England, and whose opening drive soars over the mountains of Montana.
Where was The Shining filmed?
The Shining was filmed at Elstree Studios in England (the interiors and maze), with the exterior at Timberline Lodge, Oregon, and the opening drive over Montana.
Every Shining location, explained
1
The Overlook exterior – Timberline Lodge
The hotel’s exterior is Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon – which reportedly asked Kubrick not to use “Room 217,” so the film invented Room 237.
2
The interiors and maze – Elstree
The Overlook’s vast interiors and the hedge maze were built as huge sets at Elstree Studios near London.
3
The opening drive – Montana
The soaring aerial opening follows a car through the mountains of Glacier country in Montana.
4
The Torrance apartment – Colorado
The family’s earlier apartment used Boulder, Colorado.
Planning a visit
Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Oregon – the Overlook exterior – is a real, working mountain lodge open to guests, and the Montana mountains of the opening drive are stunning.
The Shining Fun Facts
1
Room 237 was invented Timberline Lodge asked Kubrick not to use ‘Room 217’ fearing guests would avoid it, so the film created Room 237.
2
The Overlook is two places The exterior is Timberline Lodge in Oregon; the interiors were huge sets at Elstree in England.
3
Groundbreaking Steadicam The film’s gliding corridor shots pioneered the use of the Steadicam.
4
'Here's Johnny!' Jack Nicholson’s axe-through-the-door line was largely improvised.
5
A famously gruelling shoot Kubrick’s endless takes became legendary during the long production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotel is the Overlook in The Shining?
Its exterior is Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Oregon; the interiors were sets at Elstree in England.
Why is it Room 237 and not 217?
Timberline Lodge asked Kubrick not to use Room 217, so the film invented Room 237.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Timberline Lodge in Oregon is a working lodge open to guests.
