In 1966, Stanley Kubrick mused to a friend about his desire to make “the world’s scariest movie.” In 1980, he did it.

This documentary tells the story behind the making of Kubrick’s rich tale of psychological horror and supernatural evil. It also explores why the film stands the test of time, counting among its admirers Steven Spielberg, who professes to having watched it at least two dozen times. Through interviews with current filmmakers, we examine why The Shining continues to dazzle and terrify audiences, more than two decades after its release.

A concise look at some of the more bizarre visual aspects of The Shining. Through interviews with collaborators, current filmmakers and authors, we’ll examine how Kubrick used his unique brand of visual storytelling to convey madness, evil, and the power of the supernatural without relying on dialogue or conventional exposition. As much as any film he ever made, The Shining illustrates Kubrick’s talent for using the language of pure cinema to tell his stories.