2001 for me, although it was hard to select just one. HAL and the early humanoid tossing the bone in the air were the best.

Clockwork would run a very close second. I loved the language in that film.

Full Metal Jacket - just for the first half of the movie alone. Vincent D'Onofrio was realistically scary as Pvt. Pyle, and R Lee Ermey as the DI did more than enough to scare off a large number of recruits for the Marines.

Just because an adaptation is not faithful does not mean that it results in a poor film. Take a look at all of the other Steven King book-to-movie adaptations. Many of them are rubbish, regardless of how faithful they are or not. Take a look at the other The Shining, which Steven King played a large role in the production of. It is very faithful to the book. It is still a woeful film.
What works on paper does not necessarilty work on film.

Kubrick made excellent films. That is all that matters in my opinion.

I love all of Kubrick's movies and own them all. Clockwork Orange has gotta rank #1. Followed by 2001; Although, for 2001 I have to be in the right mood for it and it HAS to be on DVD with a good home theater set up. Use to have it on VHS, but there are so many real quite parts that the tape hiss bothered the hell out of me.

After those two, Paths of Glory is a real close 3rd.

Dr. Strangelove because I love how awesome of a satire it is, it's just such a perfect movie.
I fell asleep during 2001; 2010 by Peter Hymans was such a better movie, mainly because you
knew what was going on, you could understand things, if you still came out of the movie with questions,
at least you had a chance at being able to answer them. Although I will give 2001 credit, it is a very
beautiful movie, it puts Star Wars to shame, and it was made 8 years before the Original, and found it
much more visually stimulating than the 1999/2002/2005 Star Wars.

I've always thought that if you can't keep the movie close to the book, you shouldn't make the movie. That's one of my personal pet peeves, something I know alot of people don't mind as much. It just seems that quite a few of Kubrick's well known movies are based on books, and he seems to have little regard for what the author's vision is.

his films are too weird for me. i have to pick the shining. it was the one that was the least weird in my eyes.

Yeah, it was a bit broad. Well, first of all, I don't think Kubrick's a lousy director. He's one of the best; nearly all his films containes scenes of extreme beauty. I just find that the dehumanization exists already at the start of the films. Kubrick's so distant to his cararcters that they never really becomes alive. I think maybe his super aesthetic way of making movies becomes a barrier between us and the caracter. If you compare Alex or Barry Lyndon with Travis in Taxi Driver, maybe you'll understand my point. Alex is a violent obsessed lunatic who likes to terrorize his own gang, torture people, rape women and listen to Beethoven. And that's it, there's no other dept to him than that. Barry's obsessed with power and never expresses any other desire or feeling. While Travis is struggling in all kinds of way trying to find his place. I understand the reasons for this distant way of storytelling, I just find that it takes the humanity out of the caracters. And makes the films less interesting.

clockwork orange is a superb movie full metal 's also great
eyes wide shut well give it time it will grow on you

I voted for A Clockwork Orange, but you forgot to list Eyes Wide Shut. Another excellent film (and the last) from Mr. Kubrick. The co-writer of the screenplay wrote a great book about the experience. I believe it was called Eyes Wide Open.

5th one down bud. :p

Dr. Strangelove
It's my favorite movie of all time.

I appreciate all of Kubrick's films. I voted for "Full Metal Jacket" because I find it keeps me entertained after multiple viewings (not so much with Barry Lyndon, haha). Where's the AI option? (kidding)

Here's to Stanley.

2001, Clockwork, and Strangelove are all amongst the best movies ever. My favorite is Full Metal Jacket. Why, oh why did he spend his time on Eyes Wide Shut?

Clockwork Orange was, in itself, a good movie. But I can't possibly say that it's the best, especially when it doesn't follow the book. Kubrick left out the chapter at the end where he decides to become good because he thought the author was just pussing out, when it was put there for a reason.

The last chapter wasn't included in some versions of the book, like the first edition of the USA version.

My pick is A Clockwork Orange. I've seen it way to many times but I still love it. Have never seen Dr. Strangelove but I did hear it was being rereleased on DVD this month if it isn't out already. Looking forward to seeing it. I've heard good things.

i love A Clockwork Orange. i agree that it's hard not to go with Strangelove because ACO and 2001 were based on books (so some of the work was already done), but if we have to pick a favorite, i'm still going with ACO. i read the book after having seen the movie a couple of times, and it make the book a bit of an easier read - not so much going back to the glossary...

FMJ is great too, but for me it wouldn't be up there with ACO, 2001 or Strangelove.

This same question was asked on imdb's Daily Poll.
The results:
<TABLE>
<TR><TD>Dr. Strangelove
<TD>1173
<TD>(20.0%)</TR>
<TR><TD>A Clockwork Orange
<TD>1103
<TD>(18.8%)</TR>
<TR><TD>The Shining
<TD>1099
<TD>(18.8%)</TR>
<TR><TD>2001: A Space Odyssey
<TD>844
<TD>(14.4%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Full Metal Jacket
<TD>817
<TD>(13.9%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Spartacus
<TD>242
<TD>(4.1%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Eyes Wide Shut
<TD>206
<TD>(3.5%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Barry Lyndon
<TD>102
<TD>(1.7%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Paths of Glory
<TD>91
<TD>(1.6%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Lolita
<TD>81
<TD>(1.4%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Other
<TD>51
<TD>(0.9%)</TR>
<TR><TD>The Killing
<TD>45
<TD>(0.8%)</TR>
<TR><TD>Killer's Kiss
<TD>3
<TD>(0.1%)</TR>
</TABLE>

I'd say you're talking out your ass here.

Nabokov wrote the screenplay for Lolita. I don't know what you mean by saying it didn't have the same "tone."

When the film version of A Clockwork Orange came out, very few editions contained the final chapter. The film is very close to the book.

Arthur C. Clark and Kubrick wrote the script for 2001. The novel wasnt even published until after the movie was made.

Schnitzler is one of my favorite authors, but I haven't read Traumnovelle. Eyes Wide Shut was never intended as a direct adaptation anyhow.

Why he didn't realize that killing the black guy first is a serious horror film cliche, I don't know. But aside from that, the script for the Shining is vastly superior to the novel. I think King is just kind of jealous that he couldn't write anything that good. Why Kubrick didn't remove King's "ancient Indian burial ground" hokiness, I don't know.

I don't agree with your criteria, that films need to be true word for word to books they're based on. And I also don't agree that Kubrick had a problem with this. He was much truer to his sources than most directors.

This poll is incomplete, it lacks choices for The Killing, Paths of Glory, and Spartacus as well as his earlier films.

"No time for the old in-out, love. I've just come to read the meter."

So yeah, Definately clockwork.

I voted for A clockwork orange. It's one of my all time favourite movies.

Paths of Glory and Dr. Strangelove are brilliant movies as well.

2001 for me. If hubby had his say, it would be Strangelove.

I seem to forget just how many awesome films Kubrick has made, I have to say that Full Metal Jacket is my favourite here (and at the moment I am in the majority...) but there are a couple on that list I have not seen properly (as in watched more than once, which I feel is needed to really get into a movie)...so off to Amazon buying Kubrick Movies I go :)

Wow, this one's back from the grave. :)

FMJ never did it for me. It had moments but the physical setting always seemed lacking. Too new, too manufactured.

I can't choose between Clockwork Orange, 2001, and Strangelove. They're all amazing.

Shining was great as a film adaptation. It wouldn't have worked without either Nicholson or Kubrick.

Lolita is great in a weird way. Unusual role for Mason. It'd be interesting to see the pre-cut version, if it was saved.

If you're a fan be sure to catch Kubrick: A Lifetime in Film.

For me its clockwork. The dialouge and acting is by far my favorite.

Full Metal Jacket and The Shining are also great movies.

I've seen all but two of those, and I can honestly say that I don't like Kubrick's movies much at all. The only ones I find reasonably enjoyable are Full Metal Jacket, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining. I chose The Shining because Jack Nicholson is excellent in his rendition of "Heeeeere's Johnny!" (Which I watched through the whole movie to see)

While I'm here, I'll take the time to trash 2001. MAN THAT MOVIE SUCKED. Thank you, and good night.

Hey! where's Spartacus?! I would vote for it but its not there!

Based on this list I'd say Dr. Strangelove... BUT my favourite Kubrik film is The Killing.

I am a fan of Film Noir and a caper films and The Killing is both...

Check it out if you can... it has one of the best endings ever.

I've seen all but Barry Lyndon. Strangelove is far and away my favorite.

Clockwork is ultra violent. I get that that's the intent, and I like the movie, but the acting and story line aren't as strong.

FMJ, as pointed out, is often quoted and that's probably why I'm a little burnt out by it. Plus, it was preceded by Platoon and Hamburger Hill and seemed to be a tag along.

2001 was good, but I preferred 2010. Lolita was also very good. Eyes Wide Shut, do people really look like hobby horses when they screw? The Shining is creepy as hell, and I always think of that as a Stephen King trait, not a Kubrick trait.

A couple of oddities about Strangelove, they wanted Sellers to also play the part eventually taken by Slim Pickens. Health issues thwarted that, so they wanted a real cowboy. They offered it to Dan "Hoss" Cartwright, but he returned the script with a note that it was too "pinko" for him. So then they offered it to Pickens, a real life rodeo clown - ironically far more conservative than Cartwright.

Towards the end, there's a table of pies and cakes in the situation room. There was supposed to be a scene where the Russian and American generals and presidents duke it out via food fight, but the actors in the scene had too much fun and laughed and smiled. Kubrick wanted a serious pie fight, so he cut it.

Full Metal Jacket is my favorite Kubrick film, and Eyes Wide Shut is my second favorite.

Tough choice but for me FMJ just gets it.

I'll have to go with Eyes Wide Shut. Because it explores aspects of human nature that are rarelly touched in cinema and hit very close to home for me.

I am not a big fan of Shining, 2001 and Clockwork Orange. Despite their significance, originality and powerful message, I just can't enjoy them. Kubrick is a director who, unlike many other cinema greats, made art rather then films. His span is rather diverse, and just like art not everyone will "get" or enjoy all of his films. Yet our world would not be the same without them.

Just wanted to mention that I caught Kubrick's "The Killing" today on Turner Classics (with Sterling Hayden, Jay C. Flippen, etc.). Good movie

Edit to say that Strangelove is probably my favorite.

Clockwork, you gotta love that little Alex. "I've been doing nothing I shouldn't, Sir."

Viddy well!

I really think "The Shining" is overrated. I completely disagree with a previous poster's assessment that Kubrick's adaptation is superior to the book. The movie was missing some of the best elements of the book (IMO), including the topiary beasts that only move when you're not looking, the tension of the boiler that no one is relieving the pressure on, as well as many others. Plus, the book was actually more violent (the main character was hunting down his family with a croquet mallet, not an axe....too me, that's more brutal somehow). Plus the book certainly did NOT have the "Here's Johnny" line, and I REALLY hate when a movie adapted from a book becomes famous for a line that wasn't in the book.

But that's just my opinion, I may be wrong

Derwood... you are wrong. :lol:

I agree that the book is awesome. I'd say it's one of King's better stories. But the film is also great. I don't think anything good can come from comparing the two as they are both great for very different reasons.

Sounds like a sticky wicket.

I agree with Charlatan as far as the movie goes. With King, it's so rare that the movie compares favorably with the book. Carrie and Shining are about the only two.

Although I do agree with the "here's Johnny" sentiment.

Vote for me in '06. I cater to everybody.

Seeing as Kubrick died while editing "Eyes Wide Shut" and the studio took control of the final editing stages and fucking killed it, I suggest you take that off your list too.

Remember kids: Kubrick did not want you to see Eyes Wide Shut the way it was released. Simple.

I voted for Barry Lyndon, due to the Cinematography. I have never seen such beauty using lighting, costumes, setting, and camera sweeps and angles.

I see that I am in the minority.

I am a huge Kubrick fan, and I am listening to the Soundtrack of Clockwork Orange right now!!!

Kubrick also did me a personal favour by making Full Metal Jacket, and thereby preparing me for Basic Training in the military.

It's so hard to pick a favorite. I love them for different reasons. 2001 was just great and very relaxing and makes you think. The Shining was incredibly creepy and a decent retelling of the Stephen King book. Clockwork Orange was bizarre and a lot of fun although there are some scenes that were very disturbing to me. Eyes Wide Shut was good, but as Ben said I'm not counting that one. Dr. Strangelove I never really got into although it's a funny war movie. Lolita, Barry Lyndon, and Full Metal Jacket I've never seen so those might be good, but I can't rate them.

I think for overall great movie....I'm picking 2001 just for creativity and interesting concept. Also, it's the most memorable to me.

I'm reluctant to see A Clockwork Orange for the same reasons I disliked The Shining. I loved the book, and don't really want to see the liberties taken with it.