Introduction:
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie that portrays the essence of hope when it comes to making a success despite the most unfavourable conditions, in this case, a condemned murder United States banker, Andy Dufresne, wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and her lover. Calpasing two consecutive life terms in Shawshank State Penitentiary, Andy befriends an inmate Ellis ‘Red’ Redding portrayed by Morgan Freeman. For nearly nineteen years Andy continues to proclaim his innocence and endures the perils of living in prison before finally being able to escape and get the criminals put behind bars.
Release Date:
The Shawshank Redemption was released on October 14, 1994, to theatres in the United States. Though it took a short while to make mounds in terms of sales, it has since then become one of the most celebrated movies to date and is being placed in what can be dubbed as the heaven of movies.
Crew:
| Role | Person(s) |
|---|---|
| Director | Frank Darabont |
| Screenplay | Frank Darabont |
| Writer | Frank Darabont |
| Producer | Niki Marvin |
| Editor | Richard Francis-Bruce |
| Music Director | Thomas Newman |
Cast:
| Actor/Actress | Character Name |
|---|---|
| Morgan Freeman | Ellis Boyd Redding |
| Tim Robbins | Andy Dufresne |
| Clancy Brown | Captain Hadley |
| Bob Gunton | Warden Norton |
| William Sadler | Heywood |
| Gil Bellows | Tommy |
| Mark Rolston | Bogs Diamond |
| James Whitmore | Brooks Hatlen |
| Brian Libby | Floyd |
| Alfonso Freeman | Fresh Fish Con |
| Jeffrey DeMunn | 1946 D.A. |
| Larry Brandenburg | Skeet |
| Neil Giuntoli | Jigger |
| Renee Blaine | Andy Dufresne’s Wife |
| Brian Delate | Guard Dekins |
| David Proval | Snooze |
| John R. Woodward | Bullhorn Tower Guard |
| Paul McCrane | Guard Trout |
| Gordon Greene | 1947 Parole Hearings Man |
| Gary Lee Davis | Rooster |
| Frank Medrano | Fat Ass |
| Jude Ciccolella | Guard Mert |
| Joe Pecoraro | Projectionist |
| Ned Bellamy | Guard Youngblood |
Story:
It involves portraying the events from the 1940s and 1960s Of course the main plot starts with the sending of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) to prison for the murder of his wife, Linda, and her lover Glenn Quentin. In The Shawshank Redemption, the nature of the narrator changes and he makes friends with a man named Red.
Over the years Andy focuses on cleaning money for the evil warden, Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton) who is a wholesaler of cartel coke, thus he gains some status among his fellow prisoners. He also tries to upgrade the prison library, educating inmates and helping the prison mate, a young man, Tommy (played by Gil Bellows), to produce information regarding the case against Andy.
Finally, the movie ends with several escapes and afterwards shows the audience that it was all planned by Andy. He also challenges the unlawful operation at the prison leading to the dismissal of Warden Norton.
Reviews:
When the movie came out, this film was met with a rather middle-of-the-road reaction; some critics panned Shawshank Redemption because the film was ‘too sentimental.’ It is, however, currently valued for the projections it offers for storytelling, performances and emotive reflection.
Plus Points:
- Powerful Themes: The Sequence of Actions and Events Identifies some of the most beautiful and profound emotions, such as hope, friendship and even the chance of redemption, which are always heart-touching.
- Outstanding Performances: Once again the lead actors Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman have tried to establish themselves as the impressive actors that they are. The use of a different narrator at Freeman complements the story with feelings of sadness.
- Cinematic Mastery: Deeply inspired by the visual side, Frank Darabont does an excellent job in showing the beauty of the movie while Roger Deakins’ cinematography puts the squalor of the prison into vivid view while leaving room for light in the bleakness.
- Strong Screenplay: It does the job of ‘screenwriting’ King’s novella to keep the essence of the novella intact but at the same time refine the characters and their journey in a much better way.
- Cultural Impact: Years later the movie used a main part of popular culture topic for discussions since the moment when it was shown.
Minus Points:
- Pacing Issues: It was also noted that the film usually has sparks of unexpected or quick sequences, which may cause a viewer’s concern due to slow motion, most evidently detected in the beginning part of the movie.
- Limited Female Representation: The motion picture has been criticized for the absence of numerous strong female characters, which may reduce the motion picture’s thematic level.
- Initial Box Office Performance: Awards may have come later, but it’s possible that the less-than-stellar beginning at the box office drowned out the movie’s initial reception.
Technical Aspects:
The Shawshank Redemption has something to boast in terms of its technical qualities. Like other aspects of the film, Shawshank Prison cinematography speaks volumes: it looks like a grim, foreboding place, but alongside it, one remembers such elements as Andy playing Mozart over the PA system.
Thomas Newman has used music to build up a new environment that enriches the film with different speeds and moods. The credit for the editing role goes to Richard Francis-Bruce – they did a brilliant job of cutting the film in a way that keeps the rhythm, which is all the more important when the film covers nearly twenty years of a character’s life.
Performance:
Sean Penn does a very good job of portraying Andy Dufresne, changing from a straight business-like banker to a man with the spirit of perseverance. This is also true regarding Morgan Freeman who plays Red – one of the best characters in the film, his warmth and fatherly knowledge balance this movie well. Robbins and Freeman are great friends in this movie and this is another theme of this movie.
Bob Gunton as Warden Norton and Captain Hadley by Clancy Brown give life to foes within Shawshank, though their presence aids the film’s story.
MoviePopTime Review:
I have never actually watched a movie that I can also refer to as a timeless masterpiece that I felt in my body and soul as I did about The Shawshank Redemption. Frank Darabont’s movie is based on the great writer’s novella of the same name, and its main hero, Andy Dufresne, serves his time for the murder that he never committed, but he inspires others with his spirit. Red by Morgan Freeman is unforgettable, the supporting characters, the cinematography and the score added to the value of the movie.
One thinks through hope, redemption and the possibility of coming through a screen dominated by war, disaster and darkness: an impression of the human spirit. That is a movie which I always feel like getting motivated whenever am watching it.
Conclusion:
The Shawshank Redemption erases the line between prison drama and work of art which is a masterpiece of humanity. Because of these elements of hope and friendship it has remained relevant to this day it is a classic. Although it was not a success story at the box office it became a cult and is now considered one of the best films ever made.
Being able to tell a captivating and inspirational story, as well as being full of talented actors and directors’ best features, The Shawshank Redemption has remained one of the most tightly touching and evoking the desire to never give up no matter the circumstances in modern films. That’s why it remains on the list and becomes the picture that not only is viewed but loved by viewers from generation to generation.
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