Continuity mistake: At the beginning when Danny is talking to his Mom and eating a sandwich, the sandwich gets about 5 bites smaller in a split second. (00:04:45)
Revealing mistake: In the first scene, when Nicholson is driving to the Overlook, the shadow of a helicopter can be seen at the bottom right. This is only visible in the un-matted VHS print and fullscreen DVD. (00:01:05)
Continuity mistake: When Danny is playing alone in the corridor, with his toy cars and trucks, in the overhead shot, the little vehicles are set up on the orange and brown pattern, as the ball roles to him down the center brown path in the carpet's sextagon pattern. However, in Danny's close-up, when the ball is in front of him, all the little toy vehicles are now set up (still the same way) on the opposite side of the carpet's distinct pattern, as he also faces the opposite way. This mistake has absolutely nothing to do with the ghosts of The Overlook moving the ball.
Suggested correction: This is very explicitly done on purpose and not a continuity error. It is supposed to be subliminal to the audience, to give them a feeling that something isn't right with the hotel. It is believed, in the second image, to represent young Danny being trapped.
Continuity mistake: As Danny is writing 'redrum' on the bathroom door, the lampshade on the nightstand light is askew. A moment later, when Jack is knocking down the door with the axe, the lampshade has somehow straightened itself out. (01:32:40)
Suggested correction: This along with other subtle movements and the microscopic misplacement of everything inside the Overlook is meant to snap back to its former or appear "off" for no reason other than it gives the viewer an uncomfortable and uneasy feeling.
