1. Room 237
It could be said that it is pretty humorous that the most terrifying scene I have chosen from The Shining features an elderly, naked lady as the focus of terror. However, rather than an amusing scene, we are treated to a masterful show of severe unease, sheer horror and revulsion. Interrupted by shots of both Danny and Dick O'halloran seemingly having seizure like visions of the event, Jack goes to investigate room 237, where apparently there is a "crazy woman" who attempted to strangle Danny.
Jack slowly makes his way through the room, with a chilling heartbeat like score, which creates a sense of immediacy and as though we are viewing the actions through Jack's perspective. Agonisingly slow and considered, the camera crawls it's way to the bathroom door, when eventually Jack's hand slowly and deliberately opens the door to the bathroom. Inside there is a shadow behind the shower curtain, here there is a brief albeit still unsettling respite, as a beautiful, naked model reveals herself. The camera turns to Jack's sinister smile before reaching towards her and they begin to kiss. However, the camera zooms in and something has changed. Jack realises this as well and retorts. The before gorgeous naked woman has now transformed into a rotten, grotesque corpse of an elderly lady. Mingled with the sickening image of the corpse rising from the bathtub, demonically laughing and with an expression of pure evil; the decayed woman staggers towards Jack who stumbles away out of room 237 and away from the nightmare.
Do you agree with the selection? If not, feel free to post your feelings below-