The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Director:

Frank Darabont

Writers (WGA):

Stephen King (short story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption")
Frank Darabont (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Murder | Shawshank | Friend | Banker

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Tim Robbins	...	Andy Dufresne
Morgan Freeman	...	Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding
Bob Gunton	...	Warden Norton
William Sadler	...	Heywood
Clancy Brown	...	Captain Hadley
Gil Bellows	...	Tommy
Mark Rolston	...	Bogs Diamond
James Whitmore	...	Brooks Hatlen
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	1946 D.A.
Larry Brandenburg	...	Skeet
Neil Giuntoli	...	Jigger
Brian Libby	...	Floyd
David Proval	...	Snooze
Joseph Ragno	...	Ernie
Jude Ciccolella	...	Guard Mert

Also Known As:

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and prison violence.

Runtime:

142 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 (video rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:16 | Iceland:14 | South Korea:12 (cable rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Israel:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:R(A) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Ashland, Ohio, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Red is bagging groceries, in the background several cartons of More cigarettes can be seen. More did not launch until 1975

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Disturbia (2007)

Soundtrack:

Willie and The Hand Jive

The best story ever told on film

I believe that this film is the best story ever told on film, and I'm about to tell you why.

Tim Robbins plays Andy Dufresne, a city banker, wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank Prison in 1947 and receives a double life sentence for the crime. Andy forms an unlikely friendship with "Red" (Morgan Freeman), the man who knows how to get things. Andy faces many trials in prison, but forms an alliance with the wardens because he is able to use his banking experience to help the corrupt officials amass personal fortunes. The story unfolds....

I was so impressed with how every single subplot was given a great deal of respect and attention from the director. The acting was world-class. I have never seen Tim Robbins act as well since, Morgan Freeman maybe (e.g. Seven). The twists were unexpected, an although this film had a familiar feel, it wasn't even slightly pretentious or cliched, it was original. The cinematography was grand and expressive. It gave a real impression of the sheer magnitude of this daunting prison.

But the one thing which makes THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION stand above all other films, is the attention given to the story. The film depends on the story and the way in which it unravels. It's a powerful, poignant, thought-provoking, challenging film like no other. If Andy were to comment on this film, I think he might say: "Get busy watching, or get busy dying." Take his advice.

Thoroughly recommended.