Stanley Kubrick’s Relentless Pursuit of the Perfect Take

Stanley Kubrick’s reputation for being a stickler on set is legendary. His approach to filmmaking was all about precision, and he was never shy about demanding as many takes as he felt necessary. While this method often led to remarkable results on screen, it’s fair to say it could be tough on the cast. The most infamous example is probably Shelley Duvall’s ordeal during the making of The Shining. Kubrick had her repeat emotionally draining scenes again and again, leaving her completely spent both physically and mentally. He was so focused on getting exactly what he wanted that the impact on his actors didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest.

It’s no wonder, then, that The Guinness World Records notes the scene between Scatman Crothers and Danny Lloyd in The Shining as holding the record for the most takes of a dialogue scene—an eye-watering 148. Anyone signing up for a Kubrick project had to be ready for a marathon of retakes and a director who didn’t mince words.

Field’s First Encounter with Kubrick’s Methods

Todd Field got a taste of this when he landed the role of the pianist in Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut. Compared to the ordeal on The Shining, Field’s experience was relatively mild, but it still left an impression. For one particular scene, it took 18 takes before Kubrick was satisfied. Field later recalled,

The first scene, where Bill reunites with Nick at Ziegler’s party. We did 18 takes, which for Stanley wasn’t a lot, and afterwards, he said, ‘Wow, that was great, really great, but the first 17 you were lousy. I mean, the difference between take 18 and all the rest is remarkable’.

Kubrick’s honesty could be a shock to the system, but Field managed to break the tension with a bit of humour.

I said, ‘Look, Stanley, I was nervous. I’m here with the biggest star in the world and my favourite filmmaker, and you’re lucky I didn’t piss my pants’.

Surrounded by the likes of Tom Cruise, Sydney Pollack, and Kubrick himself, nerves were understandable. For once, Kubrick seemed to get it, and the mood on set lightened.

Finding Common Ground

After that moment, things became much easier for Field. Kubrick even started reading lines with him, showing off his own acting chops. Field said,

He laughed, and after that it was easy. He read wild lines with me himself. And, like Marty Scorsese, he was a terrific actor. And that was a beautiful thing, the way he played.

Field’s character, Nick, plays a crucial part in the story, introducing Bill to a shadowy world that draws him in. When Nick is told to play blindfolded at a secretive gathering, he slips Bill the password, opening the door to a bizarre and ritualistic event. For Field, this was his first time working on a film of such scale, and he’d never encountered a director quite as exacting or blunt as Kubrick. But once he’d managed to break through that tough exterior, he found himself far more comfortable, which let him deliver a memorable performance as the enigmatic Nick Nightingale.