The even-more-infuriating original last scene of Titanic, and nine other alternate endings that almost happened
A slow dolly shot and the haunting, ethereal sounds of "Midnight, The Stars and You" by Al Bowlly leads into the closing scene of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. The moment leaves viewers speculating about the film's supernatural subtext as we catch our breath.
It's one of the most famous endings in cinema, but it almost never happened. Website The Overlook Hotel—a great source for fans of Kubrick's iconic horror film—recently posted a copy of the director's original screenplay that includes a deleted scene cut from the film at the last minute.
Audience feedback, filmmaker obsessiveness, and other factors have helped shape the movies audiences know and love, changing the course of cinema history. I took a look at other popular movies and their original endings (as always, there may be spoilers). Did the final cuts triumph?
This post also appears on Flavorpill, an Atlantic partner site.
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.