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The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  14 October 1994 (USA)
9.3
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Ratings: 9.3/10 from 985,268 users   Metascore: 80/100
Reviews: 2,596 user | 169 critic | 19 from Metacritic.com

Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

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(short story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"), (screenplay)
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Title: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

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Top 250 #1 | Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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1946 D.A.
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Skeet
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Jigger
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Snooze
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Ernie
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Guard Mert
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Storyline

Andy Dufresne is a young and successful banker whose life changes drastically when he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy, with the help of his friend Red, the prison entrepreneur, turns out to be a most unconventional prisoner. Written by Martin Lewison <milst1@cislabs.pitt.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and prison violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£2,344,349 (UK) (19 May 1995)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The prisoners are drinking Stroh's beer on the roof. See more »

Goofs

In the scene where Andy and Red are shown playing checkers outside (after discussing Mr. Stevens in the library) the checker board they are playing on is actually a board manufactured by Pressman in the 1980s and 1990s. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
District Attorney: Mr. Dufresne, describe the confrontation you had with your wife the night that she was murdered.
Andy Dufresne: It was very bitter. She said she was glad I knew, that she hated all the sneaking around. And she said that she wanted a divorce in Reno.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The man who cried and was beaten when Andy first arrived is listed and credited as "Fat Ass" -- the other inmates' nickname for him. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) See more »

Soundtracks

"Lovesick Blues"
by Cliff Friend and Irving Mills
Performed by Hank Williams
Courtesy of PolyGram Special Markets
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The Shawshank Redemption
25 March 1999 | by (Marietta, OH) – See all my reviews

One of the finest films made in recent years. It's a poignant story about hope. Hope gets me. That's what makes a film like this more than a movie. It tells a lesson about life. Those are the films people talk about 50 or even 100 years from you. It's also a story for freedom. Freedom from isolation, from rule, from bigotry and hate. Freeman and Robbins are majestic in their performances. Each learns from the other. Their relationship is strong and you feel that from the first moment they make contact with one another. There is also a wonderful performance from legend James Whitmore as Brooks.

He shines when it is his time to go back into the world, only to find that the world grew up so fast he never even got a chance to blink. Stephen King's story is brought to the screen with great elegance and excitement. It is an extraordinary motion that people "will" be talking about in 50 or 100 years.


514 of 638 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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