More often than not, when television decides to remake a well-known movie, especially one from a distinguished film director, the result is distressing. But that is hardly the case this weekend.... Mr. King's script and the direction of Mick Garris (''Stephen King's 'The Stand' '') slowly and skillfully bring ''The Shining'' to a pitch of screeching horror. Mr. Weber, shucking the light comedy of sitcom, is chillingly effective as a man battling his own personal demons. Ms. De Mornay is the battered figure in the middle. And young Master Mead is quite extraordinary as a boy who wants desperately to believe in his father.

Granted, "Stephen King's The Shining" doesn't have a maniacal Jack Nicholson chopping down the door and shouting, "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!," but this six-hour vidpic is a far more unsettling and compelling piece of filmmaking than the megahyped original.... If "The Shining" has a weakness in comparison to its predecessor, it's that it lacks some of the trademark visions of horror --- the elevator-driven blood, the ax-wielding Nicholson. But it makes up for that with a consistent, carefully textured story that rarely gives you the chance to properly breathe.

Jack Torrance and his family move into the sprawling, vacant Overlook Hotel to get away from it all. Away from the alcoholism that derails Jack's writing career. Away from the violent outbursts that mar Jack's past. But Jack's young son Danny knows better. He possesses a psychic gift called the shining- a gift the hotel's vile spirits desperately want.