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IMDb > The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption
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The Shawshank Redemption (1994) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 64 | slideshow) Videos (see all 10)
The Shawshank Redemption -- Haunting, sometimes brutal and often humorous story of a New England banker convicted of double murder, and the ways he influences lives lived behind bars - especially his close friend and fellow lifer Red.
The Shawshank Redemption -- hv post
The Shawshank Redemption: :  -- Chicago critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert rate new movies with a thumbs up, or a thumbs down.
The Shawshank Redemption -- MoviesTrailer.org - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
9.2/10   517,814 votes »
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Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Stephen King (short story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption")
Frank Darabont (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Shawshank Redemption on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 September 1994 (USA) See more »
Genre:
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. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 13 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(352 articles)
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User Reviews:
Prepare to be moved See more (2282 total) »


Additional Details

Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for language and prison violence.
Runtime:
142 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After the film gained popularity, Ted Turner sold the television rights to TNT, his own network, for much lower than normal for such a big film. Because it is so inexpensive to show, the film is broadcast on TNT extremely often.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: Before he escapes, Andy puts the warden's account book and other papers in a plastic bag and ties the bag to his ankle with the six feet of rope he obtained. After Andy escapes and plunges into the flooded creek, he is shown dragging the bag underwater for several steps. No matter how tight Andy originally tied the bag, after he dragged it through the tunnel, the sewage pipe and the creek, there is no way the plastic bag could have remained waterproof (unless Andy had used a large amount of strong tape). At a minimum, the ink on the papers inside would have started to run, and the pages would have been damp and stuck together. Even after being dried, the pages would have been stained, warped and wrinkled, and possibly illegible. Yet when Andy sends the book to the authorities it looks like it was bone dry the entire journey.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 »
Soundtrack:
Duettino - Sull'ariaSee more »

FAQ

Why is Morgan Freeman's character called "Red"?
How did Andy pin the poster of Rita?
What song does Andy play on the speakers when he is in the Warden's office?
See more »
783 out of 925 people found the following review useful.
Prepare to be moved, 8 February 2001
Author: speedreid from Westerville, Ohio

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.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (2282 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
#1 on imdb. What's your #1? HerksBrother
How many movies in IMDB have you voted 10? And What are they? eveningpolestar
Why in the world did Red get finally approved? misteradrian
Disposing of wall dust james-perlman-1
Tommy proud to be a loser! kisshooters-1
Shameless (but effective!) product placement jeremygordonmarch
See more »

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