What was the Shining (the movie) about?

I friend of mine knows I'm a big fan of the big five Stanley Kubrick movies (everything after Barry Lyndon) and suggested I see Room 237. Said movie was pretty much three interpretations of what the movie was about, namely:

1. The holocaust
2. The treatment of American Indians
3. The (allegedly) faked moon landing footage

I felt all three were a stretch. Kubrick may have been messing with the public by putting red herrings into the movie to give conspiracy theorists something to cling to. Nevertheless, I found it interesting how devoted fans of the movie created maps and models of the Overlook and explained how in placed it didn't make sense. Like how there never should have been a window in the manager's office. It included a lot of footage from Kubrick's other movies that were allegedly nods to the Shining (especially outside the jazz bar in Eyes Wide Shut).

What do you think it was about? Multiple votes allowed.

I watched Room 237 on Netflix a while back. All the theories felt like a major stretch to me.

So I voted for Kubrick fans are always overthinking his movies.

Quote: ams288

I watched Room 237 on Netflix a while back. All the theories felt like a major stretch to me.

I thought the theory that Kubrick was hired to fake the moon landing footage was the most compelling of the three, which isn't saying much. Most of the argument was that Danny was wearing a sweater with the Apollo capsule and rocket in one scene. Something else about a back screen but it got too technical for me.

This reminds me of the Beatles
Their fans saw all kinds of deep hidden meanings in the music and lyrics.
When John Lennon was told this he laughed. "I just shove some sounds together then shove some words on top"

I have Barry Lyndon on DVD, one of
my all time favorites. Seen it a dozen
times.

Quote: Evenbob

I have Barry Lyndon on DVD, one of
my all time favorites. Seen it a dozen
times.

I have it on DVD too. It took me about 20 sittings to get through it. Very slow. However, Kubrick movies are usually disliked on the first viewing but after you get past it, you enjoy watching it over and over. I just haven't got past the boredom phase of Barry Lyndon.

Quote: Evenbob

I have Barry Lyndon on DVD, one of
my all time favorites. Seen it a dozen times.

Favorite of mine too. Excellent soundtrack. I particularly enjoyed the escalating verbal fight between the Mother and Reverend Runt after the boy died. Started out so quiet and diplomatic, but by the end she rolling her "R"s and spittle flying out her mouth. Couldn't find it on youtube just now.

Quote: Wizard

I just haven't got past the boredom phase of Barry Lyndon.

I can't imagine any part of it being
boring. It's an almost perfect movie.

Sorry folks, don't know nuttin' 'bout no room 243 and never met anyone named Barry Lyndon, but if movie goers can't figure out what the movie relates to then why should I go see it. After all the three choices seem rather dissimilar.

Was it Kubrick who did A clockwork orange? I never did understand that movie though I never really saw anything wrong with it. It was just long and boring.

Based on the satire 1/3 of an ep done on The Simpsons, which is all I've seen related to this film, it's about Groundskeeper Willy's inability to see the obvious.