The Shawshank Redemption Reviews

With a legion of titles like Pet Sematary, Firewalker, Sleepwalkers, Maximum Overdrive, and Children of the Corn, it's reasonable not to expect much from Stephen King-inspired motion pictures. Adaptations of the prolific author's work typically vary from mildly entertaining to virtually unwatchable. There are a few notable exceptions, however; two of which (Stand by Me, Misery) were crafted by widely-respected director Rob Reiner. While The Shawshank Redemption is not a Reiner movie per se, it is a production of Castle Rock Pictures (Reiner's film company), and ranks among the best filmed versions of any King stories to date. (This statement has not changed since I first wrote it in 1994.)

Spanning the years from 1947 through 1966, The Shawshank Redemption takes the "innocent man in prison" theme and bends it at a different angle. Instead of focusing on crusades for freedom, the movie ventures down a less-traveled road, concentrating on the personal cost of adapting to prison life and how some convicts, once they conform, lose the ability to survive beyond the barbed wire and iron bars. As one of the characters puts it: "These [prison] walls are funny. First you hate them, then you get used to them, then you start to depend on them."

Filmed on location in a disused Ohio prison, The Shawshank Redemption is set in a place of perpetual dreariness. What little color there is, is drab and lifeless (lots of grays and muted greens and blues), and there are times when the film is a shade away from black-and-white (give credit to cinematographer Roger Deakins, a longtime Cohen brothers collaborator). It's ironic, therefore, that the central messages are of hope, redemption, and salvation.

First time feature director Frank Darabont helms a fleet of impressive performances. Tim Robbins, as Andrew Dufresne, plays the wrongly convicted man with quiet dignity. Andy's ire is internal; he doesn't rant about his situation or the corruptness of the system that has imprisoned him. His unwillingness to surrender hope wins him the admiration of some and the contempt of others, and allows the audience to identify with him that much more strongly.

Ellis Boyd Redding (Morgan Freeman), or "Red" as his friends call him, is the self-proclaimed "Sears and Roebuck" of the Shawshank Prison (for a price, he can get just about anything from the outside). His is the narrative voice and, for once, the disembodied words aid, rather than intrude upon, the story. Serving a life sentence for murder, Red is a mixture of cynicism and sincerity - a man with a good soul who has done a vile deed. His friendship with Andy is one of The Shawshank Redemption's highlights.

William Sadler (as a fellow prisoner), Clancy Brown (as a sadistic guard), and Bob Gunton (as the corrupt warden) all give fine supporting performances. Newcomer Gil Bellows, in a small but crucial role (that was originally intended for Brad Pitt), brings the poise of a veteran to his portrayal of Tommy Williams, Andy's protege.

Ultimately, the standout actor is the venerable James Whitmore, doing his finest work in years. Whitmore's Brooks is a brilliantly realized character, and the scenes with him attempting to cope with life outside of Shawshank represents one of the film's most moving - and effective - sequences.

Unfortunately, following a solid two hours of thought-provoking drama, the movie deflates like a punctured balloon during its overlong denouement. The too-predictable final twenty minutes move a little slowly, and writer/director Darabont exposes a distressing need to wrap up everything into a tidy little package.

"Salvation lies within," advises Warden Norton at one point. It is the presentation of this theme that makes The Shawshank Redemption unique. Prison movies often focus on the violence and hopelessness of a life behind bars. While this film includes those elements, it makes them peripheral. The Shawshank Redemption is all about hope and, because of that, watching it is both uplifting and cathartic.

This touching and heart warming film is the most perfect celebration of the human spirit I have seen. Andy Dufresne, wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, finds the strength not only to change himself, but to bring hope to those around him in Shawshank Prison. This inspiring story is interwoven with a soundtrack which invokes every emotion, from haunting and chilling, to stirring and beautiful. When you go to see a movie and it touches you with its poetry, music, and its atmosphere, and leaves you with a sense of victorious satisfaction, it is a triumph. Field of Dreams was the first movie which invoked these emotions in me. Shawshank Redemption is even more powerful for its simplicity. It doesn't pretend to be clean, nor could it be called a family movie. It is brutal and violent at times, horrifying and sickening at others. However the title says it all. Redemption is what this story is all about. And it is not necessarily redemption for the actual crimes you might have committed, but it is redemption for the way you have lived your life. What emerges can only be called a maginificent piece of art. This is what movies were meant to be.

Many people find it weird that this flick has been on the 1st place of the IDMDb 250 for so many years but even if you don't think that it is that good, you have to agree that this movie is definitely the stuff of legend. I mean, when it came out, almost nobody saw it. Eventually, it still managed to get 7 nominations at the Academy Awards but even there, it was snobbed and won nothing. Still, gradually, it gained a cult status and is now considered by many as the best movie ever made. Still, is it really the best movie ever made? Probably not. Is it one of the very best ? Absolutely! In its genre, I really believe it is quite untouchable (Forget "Prison Break"...). Basically, the directing is flawless, the story is fascinating and the cast was just great. 5 years later, Frank Darabont would direct another Stephen King adaptation, 'The Green Mile', and this time, it was not only critically heralded but it was also a smashing success at the box-office (with Tom Hanks, the box-office king at the time, it was hardly surprising). Personally, I never really cared for 'The Green Mile' but I was happy that Darabont finally got a break. It is really too bad that he only directed 4 movies in 20 years. Anyway, after all these years, it remains a great classic, I think it really deserves its reputation and it is a must see for any decent movie lover.

Onhan elokuva hyvä (vaikkei nyt niin hyvä mitä imdb väittää) ja sen jaksoi hyvin katsoa "jo" kolmatta kertaa. Vastakohdat ja niiden käyttö kiinnitti huomiota tällä kertaa vert. kuri ja järjestys, vankeus ja vapaus että toivo ja epätoivo. Tältä katselukerralta jäi parhaiten mieleen kohtaus kahdesta erilaisesta vapaudesta kun Brooks vapautti lintunsa todelliseen vapauteen ja itse joutui kohtaamaan vielä vankilamaailmaakin rankemmat yhteiskunnan kahleet.

Emotional prison drama that really packs a punch.
Deservedly nominated for 7 Academy Awards.
Starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Gil Bellows, Clancy Brown and James Whitmore.

The Shawshank Redemption truly is one of the biggest modern day classics. This is a film that I think everybody loves for what it is. This film is about friendship, fear, freedom and most of all hope. This film teaches that life is never easy and we have to fight to achieve what we want or need. It is a film such a big heart and is a film with such inspiration; it fills people's hearts really high with joy as well as affectionate drama. I love this film to bits but it is one of the most overrated films of all time because I feel too many people love it. The Shawshank Redemption is adapted from a novel of the same name by Stephen King who is in my opinion the best novelist of all time. I loved the way Shawshank Redemption sends its message not only through watching the film but also the taglines of the film. This is probably the feel-good film of the 1990s along with Forrest Gump and amongst others.


I do like Tim Robbins as an actor but he is a better director. His performance as Andy Dufresne was good but not amazing because I couldn't really see Andy's really desperate measures to earn his freedom like I could Red's. Andy went through a lot before and in prison. Andy was a banker who was wrongly charged with the murder of his wife and lover. When Andy goes inside Shawshank and starts to become very close friends with red, Andy became a victim of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a gang called the Sisters especially by Boggs who is their leader. Andy overcomes that and makes a big name for himself inside Shawshank. Tim was a good choice but not the best for Andy. I loved Morgan Freeman's performance as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding because I could feel the love, kind-hearted nature and the desperation to be free within Red. Morgan is an actor who always LOOKS like Morgan Freeman and acts like Morgan Freeman because he acts all sorts of different characters but always looks the same. His performance would have been more of a supporting role is Robbins performance was worthy of an Oscar nomination or win.


Frank Darabont's directing big hit debut of The Shawshank Redemption wasn't a big hit in those days but nowadays it really is a remarkable direction with such force, light, power and even beauty that you could almost cry at literally. Darabont made The Shawshank Redemption a one-of-a-kind phenomenon that truly is worthwhile just like The Green Mile. The Shawshank Redemption is an unforgettable masterpiece that is dramatic, beautiful and even quite tense on occasions.


1994 was an unbelievable year for cinema and this is one of the best but I did prefer Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction and Léon: The Professional. Tim Robbins' best performance is still his Oscar winning one in Mystic River. Morgan Freeman's performance in The Shawshank Redemption is the best performance of his career and will always be hopefully. This isn't my favourite Stephen King novel. I love The Green Mile and The Shining more, it is one of the top prison films and a close inspiration to me. Frank Darabont's work is still better in The Green Mile but in The Shawshank Redemption, it is a great debut. It doesn't match Orson Welles or Sam Mendes as far as best debuts are concerned but it isn't far from that position. The Shawshank Redemption is a film that is just too irresistible to not love.

''There are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside... that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's yours.''

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

Tim Robbins: Andy Dufresne

Morgan Freeman: Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding

The Shawshank Redemption(1994) is a rare occurrence in storytelling that truly transcends film itself to become a soulful and memorable venture. Based upon a short story by Stephen King "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", and then brought to life for the big screen by Frank Darabont. Audinces will watch in awe as the story touches our heart and captivates our mind. Polished performances, dazzling direction, relentless atmosphere, beautifully suffocating cinematography. All the pieces gel and mould a totally human struggle to our eyes. This is worth more than just a second or third viewing; this a masterpiece of the 20th century for film.



There are so many sides and humanitarian adoration captured within this film and story. So many messages that transcend mere words at times. Melting your heart with it's mesmerizing vision of a human bond that is so untouchable it sings out and rings inside you.
There is indeed a great sense of inspiration to be found at the center of The Shawshank Redemption, and that's a story of hope.
Everything that life thrusts upon you, all the despair put forth into your midst, there is always a glimmer of hope coming through like a ray of sunshine breaking dark cloud.
We go on a journey with these characters, and their stories remain with us long after proceedings come to a close. Andy's attempt to maintain hope and Red's struggle to allow the thought of it back into his life and routine, is a powerful story to be told; Highlighted by the fantastic performances from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

A film should assault all of your senses and again Shawshank qualifies instantly. It will make you laugh, make you cry, have you humming with joy, or feeling desperate and low at it's bad points.
The music adds to the mix in a wondrous way that is another key element to this films soul. The Original Music by Thomas Newman compliments the Cinematography by Roger Deakin(director of photography).
What else is it but storytelling transitioning into art? If a film can reach out beyond the limits of cinema and become larger than basic prison based stories, something more than a movie to be entertained by, can it be considered art? Shawshank crowned Frank Darabont's first venture into the worlds of Stephen King (The Green Mile and The Mist would follow), and it arguably remains his best and most accomplished effort to date. His ability to set the tone and create this isolated prison atmosphere instantly grabs your attention and never relinquishes the award of doing so.

That ultimate conclusion, where everything comes together like a newly formulated jigsaw will fill and satisfy.
Two friends reunited on a breathtaking scape or Andy Dufresne standing with outstretched arms in the relentless rain.
The Shawshank Redemption is a deeply moving picture that has to be experienced, not observed. Felt, not merely seen. It tells an intricate story of extreme magnitude, leaving in it's swirling path a poignant tale of hope and freedom overcoming fear and imprisonment via physical walls. Allow yourself to be taken where films rarely go, the tragic beauty of it all is nearly overwhelming. A sweeping work of grandeur and glory of hope conquering all, to remind us that above all else, when all seems to be lost, never give up on hope. As Andy tells Red, hope is a good thing. Hope never dies.

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

This movie is one the best ever, the way the story was told captured the true characters in the story. It's sure moving movie where a man can be thrown into the deep end of life and be able to survival.

What can be said about this movie that hasn't already been said before?

Shawshank is based on the novella by Stephen King and is about Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly put in prison for murdering his wife and her lover, and how he handles life inside Shawshank State Prison.

Acting by every person in this movie are all Oscar worthy in my book, from Tim Robbins portraying Andy is perfect at showing Andy's intelligent and calm nature, Morgan Freeman as 'Red', a fellow prisoner that befriends Andy and tries to understand Andy's thinking, and even Bob Gunton who plays the warden bringing his the warden's hypocrisy to life.

Music in the movie is awesome fitting in perfectly for each scene and never kills the mood but enhances it.

Visually the cinematographic is spot on showing emotions perfectly and the bleakness of prison while still showing hope through Andy's eyes.

The Shawshank Redemption is a absolutely wonderful film filled with hope in a place normally with no room for it and if you have not seen it I say do your self a favor and see this movie because I personally guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

"The Shawshank Redemption" is about a man who is put into prison for killing somebody. At first he is having a difficult time coping with it. During the process he meets an inspirational man played by Morgan Freeman. They bond and begin learning from one another. The relationship between the two is amazing and they do great on camera. This is definitely one of the most inspirational films I have ever watched. It is a true classic.

7.5/10