The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Directed by Frank Darabont

The Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com) has a list of the top 250 movies ever made, voted on by the general public. The Shawshank Redemption came out of nowhere in 1994, won no major awards, yet it is #2 on that list (second only to The Godfather). How could this be? Shawshank is a 150-minute movie that is extremely dialogue-heavy. It happened because every once in a while a movie comes along that can be so spiritually uplifting that it cannot be denied it’s place in film history, nor in the hearts of everyone that sees it.

Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank Prison in 1949 after being convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Once there, he makes friends with Red (Morgan Freeman), who dislikes Andy at first because of what he confuses for a smug attitude. Andy’s not smug, but instead a very non-emotive, shy person. Before his conviction, he was high up the ladder of a fancy bank, which as Red says, “Good work for a man his age.” Red, on the other hand, is one of the prison’s leaders, for lack of a better term. Everyone knows him and likes him because of his ability to smuggle items in from outside the prison walls. As the movie begins, they really couldn’t be any more different.

Red and Andy end up becoming friends, and that friendship is what drives the film’s plot. The white straight-laced banker and the black institutionalized murderer should have nothing in common. Except that they are prisoners in both the literal and figurative sense. Herein lies their bond.

The Shawshank Redemption is chock-full of prison movie clichés: rape, murder, corruption, escape. The novella it is based on was written by Stephen King, and I can’t help but think that it was inspired by the movies The Birdman of Alcatraz and Escape from Alcatraz. No matter. The movie almost uses these clichés to its advantage. How many films can you really say that about?

I absolutely love prison movies, but the last 20 minutes of this film—which take place outside the prison—are what make it so special. This is a film about hope, redemption (see the title), brotherhood and humanity. We travel through the same journey as these characters do, and in some ways we can all relate to them.

Shawshank is just an extremely well-told story, plain and simple. There’s no fancy camera moves or lighting schemes, nor are there any gimmicks to draw the audience in. But by the time those credits rolls, the movie will provide you an emotional catharsis that is nearly impossible to deny.

“It comes down to a simple choice: get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.”

Previous Movies of the Week:

#1: Gladiator
#2: The Passion of the Christ
#3: Cool Hand Luke
#4: Fight Club
#5: American Beauty
#6: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
#7: Goodfellas
#8: Boogie Nights
#9: American Psycho
#10: Dr. Strangelove
#11: Dog Day Afternoon
#12: Unforgiven
#13: 2001: A Space Odyssey
#14: Do the Right Thing
#15: Reservoir Dogs
#16: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
#17: L.A. Confidential
#18: Big Trouble in Little China
#19: Out of Sight

Holy Shit ! I am watching this right now !

This is one amazing movie. Like most I never saw it till DVD years after it was released.

Morgan Freeman's voice over makes it for me.

And I don't even have to talk about the ending.

in my top 5.

A great movie in almost every way.


Get busy living or get busy dying.

This should've easily won Best Picture instead of Forrest Gump.

The Academy loves retards, which is kind of fitting given most of the members are.

#1 Movie of all time for me.

As much as I don't like Robbins as an actor, he did a pretty good job here.

Robbins and Freeman were fantastic. Both are two of my favorite actors, and this movie is definitely top ten material for me.

Too bad it didn't win best picture. Excellent film.

If someone doesn't enjoy this movie they are probably someone I don't want to interract with. Dramas rate low for me on rewatchability but this is definately an exception.

Pulp Fiction?

I don't want to start that one though, so I'll say that either of these two movies might have been a better choice than Forrest Gump, though I love that movie as well.

can't believe it took 20 films to get this one up here

this is on my Tivo, i should watch this sooner than later.

The American Film Institute is doing their 10th Anniversary special on the 100 greatest films. I don't know how it exactly works, but the people vote online, or write about what film they want to be submitted. I wrote my bit on this film. Will be talked about forever.

There are a few movies that I will watch whenever they're on TV. Doesn't matter where I turn it on. This is one of them.

I don't know that I've ever met anyone who doesn't like this movie. It's got it all. Writing about it is almost pointless.

ok.. so... I haven't seen it

BUT I've read the book and I liked it

This is one of the rare movies that you can watch with your significant other, mother, father, brother, grandparents, or a complete stranger.

it's one of the best stories Stephen King ever wrote. I'm not sure great story always equals great film, though.

There's lots of great movies out there, bud. It's tough putting them in order for this thread.

never heard of it

Of course you are watching it. It is on every minute of every day on TV. And you know what. I will watch it everytime it is on. Absolutely nothing but love for this movie. It really is uplifting.