Key Takeaways:
– Steven Weber's casting for Jack Torrance in ‘The Shining' mini-series better met Stephen King's vision of a normal dad turning into a monster.
– Weber shared his amusing encounter with King regarding a confusing part in the novel.
– The mini-series of ‘The Shining' featuring a more faithful adaptation of the novel is now available on Blu-ray via Scream Factory.
The world of horror has been captivated by The Shining, both the renowned horror novel by Stephen King and the iconic film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick. King's candid opinions on Kubrick's theatrical rendition are well-known, primarily revolving around the casting of the brilliant yet intense, Jack Nicholson. King always envisioned Jack Torrance, the central character of The Shining, as an everyday dad gradually consumed by monstrosity, which Nicholson's personality seemed to overshadow.
Enter Steven Weber: King's Perfect Jack Torrance
Steven Weber, widely appreciated for his character Brian Hackett in the sitcom Wings, was the one to fill the shoes of Jack Torrance in the TV mini-series of The Shining. Weber's roots in comedy better aligned with King's original vision of Jack's character as an everyday, unsuspecting father who slowly turns into a horrifying figure.
A Unique Encounter with Stephen King
Weber lit up an episode of the Inside of You podcast with an amusing tale of his interaction with the legendary Stephen King during the mini-series' production. Weber decided to read King's novel while filming, hoping to seize the opportunity to pick the author's brain since King was actively involved on set.
Weber laughingly remembered a baffling part of the novel and asked King for clarity, expecting a profound explanation. However, King's somewhat ordinary response — relating the moment to a bottle of wine, carpet color, and him being drunk — left Weber both amused and slightly disappointed. Despite this unconventional engagement, Weber admiringly referred to King as a ‘great guy.'
Availability on Blu-ray with Scream Factory
The mini-series take on ‘The Shining' is now available in a new Blu-ray release by Scream Factory. The package provides a 2K restoration with an interpositive and 1080p high definition visual quality. The release also features audio commentary by Stephen King himself, Director Mick Garris, actors Steven Weber and Cynthia Garris, alongside other selected crew members. It additionally offers 11 extra scenes and English SDH subtitles.
A Sneak Peek into the Mini-series Plot
The mini-series portrays Jack Torrance and his family moving into the grand but vacant Overlook Hotel to escape his troubled past stained with alcoholism and violent behavior. However, Jack's son Danny, gifted with a psychic ability known as the shining, senses the malevolent intentions of the hotel's spirits. Interlaced with chilling scenes, creepy messages and unnerving topiaries, this mini-series brings King's vision of the Overlook Hotel terrifyingly alive.
All things considered, the TV mini-series of ‘The Shining' serves to appreciate Stephen King's original narrative while providing a distinctively horrifying experience. The surprising encounter between Weber and King and the availability of the mini-series in high quality on Blu-ray only add to its charm. Adventure into the chilling realm of ‘The Shining' and satisfy your horror cravings.
At the end of the day, whether you are a Stephen King enthusiast or a horror genre lover, the mini-series of The Shining, with its unique portrayal of Jack Torrance and King's hands-on involvement, is a must-watch.
