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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 959,875 users   Metascore: 80/100
Reviews: 2,555 user | 168 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)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) on IMDb 9.3/10

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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
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Frank Darabont watched Goodfellas every Sunday while shooting Shawshank and drew inspiration from it on using voice-over narration and showing the passage of time. See more »

Goofs

When the inmates are at the table discussing the possibility of Andy committing suicide, one of them says "No, no, Andy would never do that." But his mouth movements do not correspond with what he said. His mouth movements actually look like was saying Dufresne, instead of Andy, Dufresne being Andy's surname. 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

Spoofed in Half Baked (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

"If I Didn't Care"
by Jack Lawrence
Performed by The Ink Spots
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

Prepare to be moved
8 February 2001 | by (Westerville, Ohio) – See all my reviews

I have never seen such an amazing film since I saw The Shawshank Redemption. Shawshank encompasses friendships, hardships, hopes, and dreams. And what is so great about the movie is that it moves you, it gives you hope. Even though the circumstances between the characters and the viewers are quite different, you don't feel that far removed from what the characters are going through.

It is a simple film, yet it has an everlasting message. Frank Darabont didn't need to put any kind of outlandish special effects to get us to love this film, the narration and the acting does that for him. Why this movie didn't win all seven Oscars is beyond me, but don't let that sway you to not see this film, let its ranking on the IMDb's top 250 list sway you, let your friends recommendation about the movie sway you.

Set aside a little over two hours tonight and rent this movie. You will finally understand what everyone is talking about and you will understand why this is my all time favorite movie.


998 of 1,169 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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your top 10 movies of all time? david_beckham_mhtb
I love how over 22,000 people dannychaplain
Looking for Andy? puplover
I still doesn't get why this film is no.1 on IMDB top 250. sekula32
This should have been best picture over Forest Gump rhernandez2288
Point of no return in the movie? PLEASE HELP ASAP manon010897
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