Even though it’s been over 40 years, we can’t help but keep returning to the Overlook Hotel. Stephen King’s The Shining is one of the most beloved books and horror films of all time. Now there’s the ultimate gift for the aficionado in your life: a 2,198 page collector’s set that dives deep into the behind the scenes story of Kubrick’s classic 1980 film. It includes behind the scenes photos and tidbits collected from interviews with the cast and crew. The limited edition Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining by the late J.W. Rinzler, edited by Lee Unkrich is available for pre-order now for a cool $1,500.
From the Taschen’s description of the two-volume tome:
Equally a study of the intricate mechanics of Kubrick’s genius as an in-depth look at the making of a visual masterpiece, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining gathers hundreds of hours of exclusive new interviews with the cast and crew in an unprecedented look at the 1980 cult classic. Slip in through the back door of The Overlook Hotel to witness Kubrick’s endless rounds of script rewrites, his revolutionary use of the Steadicam, the mechanics behind the infamous blood elevator, the mysterious mid-filming fire at Elstree Studios, and the countless takes needed to satisfy the meticulous force that was Kubrick.
While we know what happens to people who are all work and no play, it’s also easy to appreciate the dedication that went into this collector’s set. And just how much went in to making the film, with its alternate endings and other changes. While many have made movies based on Stephen King novels, Kubrick’s is certainly one of the finest.
Other Shining compendiums include a Kickstarted cultural history made to look like Jack’s manuscript from the film. The iconic horror film still clearly resonates with fans all these decades later. WandaVision made multiple references to it. The prop axe used on-screen by Jack Nicholson recently sold for $140,000. And then of course there’s the twins. The actresses who played them, Lisa and Louise Burns, even attended the book’s launch party.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.