Stanley Kubrick was one of the most influential and visionary filmmakers of the 20th century. His films spanned a variety of genres, from war to science fiction to horror, and were known for their meticulous craftsmanship, innovative cinematography, and dark humor. In this blog post, I will explore some of the themes and techniques that made Kubrick's films unique and unforgettable.
Kubrick was born in New York City in 1928 to Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. He was a shy and introverted child who developed a passion for literature, photography, and chess. He dropped out of high school and became a photographer for Look magazine, where he honed his skills in visual storytelling. He taught himself filmmaking by reading books and watching movies, and made his first short documentary, Day of the Fight, in 1951.
Kubrick married three times in his life. His first wife was Toba Metz, his high school sweetheart, whom he married in 1948 and divorced in 1951. His second wife was Ruth Sobotka, a dancer and designer, whom he married in 1955 and divorced in 1957. His third and final wife was Christiane Harlan, a German actress and artist, whom he married in 1958 and remained with until his death in 1999. He had two biological daughters with Christiane, Anya and Vivian, and a stepdaughter, Katharina.
Kubrick moved to the United Kingdom in 1961, where he lived for the rest of his life. He preferred to work in isolation and privacy, away from the pressures and interference of Hollywood. He bought a country estate in Hertfordshire, where he built his own studio and editing facilities. He was notorious for his perfectionism and obsession with detail, often spending years on researching, writing, filming, and editing his projects. He was also known for his demanding and sometimes tyrannical treatment of his actors and crew, often requiring dozens of takes for each shot.
Kubrick created some of the most acclaimed and influential films of all time, each one a masterpiece in its own genre. Some of his marvels include:
- Paths of Glory (1957), a powerful anti-war drama set during World War I, starring Kirk Douglas as a colonel who defends his soldiers against a court-martial for cowardice.
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), a brilliant satire on the Cold War and the nuclear arms race, featuring Peter Sellers in three roles as a deranged general, a timid president, and a mad scientist.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), a visionary epic that explores the origins and evolution of humanity, the mysteries of the universe, and the role of artificial intelligence, with groundbreaking special effects and music.
- A Clockwork Orange (1971), a controversial adaptation of Anthony Burgess's novel about a violent youth who undergoes a behavior-modification experiment that deprives him of his free will.
- The Shining (1980), a terrifying adaptation of Stephen King's novel about a family that stays in an isolated hotel that is haunted by evil forces, with Jack Nicholson as the father who descends into madness.
- Full Metal Jacket (1987), a realistic depiction of the Vietnam War that follows a group of Marines from their brutal training to their combat missions.
- Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Kubrick's final film, a complex exploration of sexual fantasies and marital fidelity, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a couple who are drawn into a secret society.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Kubrick's films is his use of music. Kubrick often chose classical or avant-garde music to create contrast, irony, or mood in his scenes. For example, in Dr. Strangelove (1964), he used Vera Lynn's sentimental song "We'll Meet Again" to accompany the montage of nuclear explosions that ends the film, creating a sense of absurdity and futility. In 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), he used Richard Strauss's "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and Johann Strauss's "The Blue Danube" to emphasize the grandeur and mystery of space exploration, as well as the contrast between the ancient and the futuristic. In A Clockwork Orange (1971), he used Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" and Rossini's "The Thieving Magpie" to reflect the protagonist's violent and twisted personality, as well as his love for classical music.
Another hallmark of Kubrick's films is his attention to detail and realism. Kubrick was notorious for his extensive research, preparation, and control over every aspect of his productions. He often used authentic locations, costumes, and props, and consulted with experts on various fields to ensure accuracy. For example, in Paths of Glory (1957), he recreated the trenches and battlefields of World War I with meticulous care, and hired actual French soldiers as extras. In Barry Lyndon (1975), he used natural light and candlelight to create the atmosphere of 18th-century Europe, and employed lenses that were specially designed by NASA to capture low-light scenes. In Full Metal Jacket (1987), he transformed an abandoned gasworks in London into a convincing replica of war-torn Vietnam, and hired former Marines as advisors and actors.
Kubrick was also known for his innovative use of camera movement and framing. He often employed long tracking shots, zooms, steadicam, and wide-angle lenses to create dynamic and immersive compositions. For example, in The Shining (1980), he used a steadicam to follow the young Danny as he rode his tricycle through the corridors of the haunted hotel, creating a sense of suspense and dread. In Eyes Wide Shut (1999), he used zooms to draw attention to details or reveal secrets in the scenes of the masked ball. In The Killing (1956), he used wide-angle lenses to distort the perspective and heighten the tension in the heist sequence.
Kubrick's films also explored some of the most profound and controversial themes of human nature, such as violence, sexuality, morality, madness, power, and free will. He often presented his characters as flawed, complex, or ambiguous, and challenged the audience to question their own assumptions and values. For example, in Lolita (1962), he adapted Vladimir Nabokov's novel about a middle-aged man's obsession with a teenage girl, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption of American society. In Spartacus (1960), he depicted the slave revolt against the Roman Empire, highlighting the themes of freedom, justice, and sacrifice. In The Shining (1980), he adapted Stephen King's novel about a family's isolation in a haunted hotel, exploring the themes of domestic violence, alcoholism, and insanity.
Stanley Kubrick died on March 7, 1999, at the age of 70, shortly after completing Eyes Wide Shut. He left behind a legacy of unforgettable films that continue to inspire and challenge viewers around the world. His films are not only artistic achievements but also cultural landmarks that reflect his vision and insight into the human condition.
Stanley Kubrick was a master of cinema who left behind a legacy of unforgettable films that continue to inspire and challenge viewers around the world. His films are not only artistic achievements but also cultural landmarks that reflect his vision and insight into the human condition.
