Kubrick's obsession with perfection came at a price

If there's one thing we can say for sure about Stanley Kubrick, it's that he was a perfectionist who wanted complete control over his films. It seems that this approach was one of the reasons he created masterpieces, although it didn't make working with the famous director any easier.

His dedication to every detail is best demonstrated by the scene from "The Shining" in which Shelley Duvall tries to defend herself from Jack Nicholson. The scene with the baseball bat was reportedly retaken 127 times.

He had a similar attitude towards other collaborators. Skatman Crowthers, who played Dick Holloran in The Shining, recalled that Kubrick would often repeat scenes until he got what he wanted. Harvey Keitel, on the other hand, left Eyes Wide Shut after the director was dissatisfied with his performance.

Kubrick knew that he needed firm control over a project to bring his vision to the screen, although he did, of course, have to collaborate with other artists. This was evident early in his career, when he made his directorial debut with Fear and Desire, on which he also handled the cinematography, editing, and production. While some directors enjoy working with a wide range of people, it seems that Kubrick would have taken on almost any job behind the camera if he had the chance.

The best evidence of his need for perfectionism and complete control can be found in a letter he wrote after being offered a film for Columbia Pictures, which ultimately never came to fruition.

In a 1964 letter, a few months after the release of "Dr. Strangelove," Kubrick made it clear how unwilling he was to compromise with the studio. He didn't want the company to intervene and change his ideas.

"Under no circumstances can I accept this. Under no circumstances can I agree to have to make any changes or alterations to the script, the film, or even my hair style when asked to do so by 'Columbia.' I do not want to consult with them about songs or instrumental tracks. It is completely impractical and inconsistent with the artistic control I must have over the film. I must have complete, absolute, and final control over the film," he wrote.

Kubrick was focused on his work. For each film, he conducted extensive research and took notes detailing his plans. The last thing he wanted was for people at the production company to change ideas he already had clearly in mind just to make the film more commercially accessible or financially viable.

"I do not agree to submit the film until three months after the end of principal photography. It is unlikely that I can finish it that quickly and I do not want to work under such pressure," he wrote.

At least he knew how to set boundaries for himself, even if he didn't always respect them towards others.