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Darabont adapts this from the Stephen King short novel, "Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption," and unlike many adaptations of the prolific writer's work, this one is successful because it transforms the written page into what works best cinematically, which is, after all, the correct way to adapt literature. Tim Robbins (Short Cuts, Tapeheads) plays Andy Dufresne, a successful banker who is found guilty of the murder of his wife and her lover shortly after he has discovered the infidelity. He is sentenced to two life sentences, and summarily shipped off the Shawshank State Prison to spend the remainder of his days. Life is hard for the numbers cruncher who walks with a "silver spoon shoved up his ass," because there's an uncaring warden (Gunton, Patch Adams), a strict head of security (Brown, Highlander), and a gang called the Bull Queers, who make it a regular habit to strip Andy's humanity from him at every opportunity. But there's more than meets the eye with Andy, as they can't kill his spirit, his hope, his dreams, or his talents. In a film filled with so many strong points, it becomes almost impossible to list everything, so I'll just stick to the main reasons why Shawshank Redemption is the best film of the 1990s. First, there's the aforementioned brilliance of its main auteur, Frank Darabont. Although a relative beginner, Darabont clearly understands how to tell a story, not telegraphing all of the film's main plot points before it's time for us to know them, savoring each surprise until the right time to show us the full story. It would have been very easy to tell this story in a linear mode, but Darabont's patience with the material allows us to not jump too far ahead of the story, creating an atmosphere of mystique that never wears off. Although it's a drama, there is an aura of the fantastic about the story, so that even if some strange coincidences abound, it is well established that extraordinary things can occur in the most unlikely of ways. Then, there's composer Thomas Newman's (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) gorgeous score, a real masterwork that elevates the film to the heavens with its richness and elegance. It's quite the beautiful piece of music, and unlike many films of this nature, it isn't oversaturated by being utilized in every scene. Newman picks and chooses the right times for the right pieces of music, and allows Shawshank Redemption to gain the profoundness of themes as a result. It's hard to imagine one could improve it. Lastly, there are the fine performances, with Robbins giving one of his best in a role that requires him to be cold but vulnerable, distant yet caring. Whatever difficulty the role requires must have been greatly influenced by the stellar work by Morgan Freeman (Unforgiven, Chain Reaction) as Red, Andy's friend and mentor in the prison. His performance as the narrator of the film, as well as the main supporting character, could not be better. Red has a strength of mind and soul that others seem to lack, yet he is also human, as apt to fail as any other person in the prison, but his common sense keeps his bacon out of the fire. Although King's original story had Red as an Irishman, Darabont properly goes for what works best cinematically once again, and Freeman is so phenomenal in the role, it's as though he were born to play it. Shawshank lasts two hours and twenty minutes, but its resonance stays with you forever.Read full review
In writer-director Frank Darabont's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover in the late 1940s. However, only Andy knows that he didn't commit the crimes. Sent to Shawshank Prison to do hard time, Andy--a taciturn banker in the outside world--has to learn to get by in the brutal, cutthroat confines of prison life. His quiet strength slowly earns the respect of his fellow inmates--most notably, Red (Morgan Freeman)--and even much of the prison staff. But Andy's seemingly stoic acceptance of his unjust imprisonment hides a fierce determination for freedom. This beautifully crafted movie features touching and sincere performances from the entire cast, with an uplifting message about humanity's indomitable spirit and the redemptive value of hope. Based on the novella RITA HAYWORTH AND SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION by Stephen King, Darabont's intriguing adaptation is easily one of the finest films of the 1990s.Read full review
Maine's state prison, Shawshank, is the location of this story. It is the late 1940's, and Andy Duphrene (Tim Robbins) is arriving here today. He has been convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, and sentenced to serve life in prison. He is innocent, but, so is every prisoner. Here, Andy meets "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman). Red is known as the guy who can get things. Andy asks Red to get him a rock hammer, for shaping rocks into rock figures, something he enjoyed as a free man. He and Andy become fast friends. At Shawshank, prisoners often are the victims of perverts or other prison violence and Andy is set upon by one such group and must defend himself often. The guards are brutal, and some prisoners are beaten merciless and even killed by them. Andy is liked by many and is very popular in his circles. He teaches literacy and helps one young prisoner to get his high school diploma. As it turns out, this young guy, Billy, had served time in another prison with the guy who had killed Andy's wife and lover, and Billy could have proven it. The Warden is a crook using prison labor to make a lot of money. Andy, formerly a banker, has been drafted as the Warden's accountant, keeping his books and laundering the funds from his crooked businesses. When Andy goes to the Warden with the news that Billy could possibly clear his name, the Warden, fearing that his activities would be discovered if Andy were set free, has the head guard kill Billy. After more than twenty years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Andy finally escapes. For twenty years, with only a tiny rock hammer, he had secretly been hacking a hole through the concrete cell wall to freedom, using a giant poster to hide his work. When Andy escapes he uses the phoney identity and credentials that he created for the warden's cover for his illegal activities. He leaves a detailed record of the killings in Shawshank by the head guard, and the criminal activity of the Warden. He emptied all of the bank accounts and went to Mexico. Before he escaped, he asked Red for a favor and left him instructions. Red was afraid Andy was going to kill himself. What Andy had left was a plan, with information and money; and an invitation to Red to join him when he got out. This was an excellent film and sure to please everybody.Read full review
The last place one would expect to find hope would be a prison. Likewise, the last movie in which one would expect to find hope is a prison movie. However, in The Shawshank Redemption, hope is exactly what we get. The Shawshank Redemption is the story of Andy Dufrense (Tim Robbins); a man accused of murdering his wife and her lover and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. He is shipped to Shawshank Maximum Security Prison, in Shawshank, Maine, to spend the duration of his life. Over the next years (two hours, movie time), he finds his way to inner peace and holds onto great hope in the midst of the terror of the prison system. The Shawshank Redemption is one of those films that is a true work of both art and magic. It is a work of art in the fact that it can so perfectly paint the picture of a man who will not relinquish the only thing someone cannot directly take away: hope. It is a work of magic in the fact that you are completely enveloped in Shawshank. From the first shot of Shawshank prison -- an utterly gothic structure that permeates you with a sense of just how frightening the prison will be -- you are enveloped inside of the world of Shawshank. You experience a prison life composed of routine after routine after routine. The performances in Shawshank are top notch. The commentary upon the justice system is both thoughtful and thought provoking. Yet, despite all of its greatness, Shawshank's script leaves a little to be desired. I suppose such happens when one is using Stephen King as the source for a serious movie. Shawshank's characters are cliched. There is Red (Freeman), the convict who gets things, who says at one point "I suppose there's a convict like me in every prison." Also, Andy plays the stereotype of the innocent man, doing time for a crime he did not commit. The story is basically predictable. The dialogue has a propensity to get preachy. Despite these flaws, The Shawshank Redemption is a film with remarkable staying power. It is able to sustain itself throughout its duration and to keep you enraptured with its remarkably hopeful story. In the end of it all, Andy Dufrense will escape Shawshank. My husband says, It's 'Beaches' for straight men."Read full review
The Shawshank Redemption stars Tim Robbins,Morgan Freeman,and Clancy Brown. This is truly one of the best prison movies ever made. It is an absolute crime that it didn't win best picture and best actor for Morgan Freeman. Explain to me how Cuba Gooding jr wins an oscar and Morgan Freeman hasn't. Tim Robbins turns in his best performance here as a man wrongly convicted of murder. Clancy Brown turns in a good performance as guard in the prison. This movie is a must for anyone's dvd collection. The direction by Frank Darabont is first rate. One of the better directors in hollywood. I suggest taking a look at his most recent film "The Mist" based on a Stephen King story. It is also well done. However the ending could have been better. Hopefully all involved in this movie will eventually get the oscars that they were cheated out of. Don't miss this well acted masterpiece.Read full review
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