Rating: 
Summary: The acting, the filming, the music, the story...
Review: ...one of the best movies I have ever seen. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman along with the many other great actors deliever remarkable as remeberable performances in The Shawshank Redemption. You will never forget this movie!
A perfect movie?
If nothing is, well, then this is the closest thing to it. The ending is so amazing, and the last minutes of the movie so filled with "screen-poetry" and "footage-beauty" that it fills me with some sort of longing every time the credits starts to roll with the brilliant score. The ultimate movie about friendship.
Rating:
Summary: Prison Escape Involving R.Hayworth, M. Monroe, & R. Welch!!
Review: =====>This 2 hour and 20 minute movie (theatrical release 1994), adapted from Stephen King's short novel "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" can be summarized easily. It tells the story of quiet banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) who has been unjustly sent to Shawshank Prison to serve a double life sentence. In prison, he forms a strong friendship with long-time inmate Ellis "Red" Redding (played exquisitely by Morgan Freeman) who, though he doesn't realize it, helps Andy escape after 19 years in prison. Also, help for this escape is provided by Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Rachel Welch, and geology!! But there is more to this movie--much more. Even a wrongful imprisionment, a corrupt warden and a ruthless prison guard captain (played superbly by Bob Gunton and Clancy Brown respectively), and enemies within the prison (such as Bogs and his "sisters") cannot get the best of Andy. Why? His hope never dies. This is the art of this movie: it perfectly paints a picture of a man who will not give up the only thing that can't be taken away from him--hope. This is also a magical movie since you are completely enveloped in Shawshank from the very first movie shot. You experience a prison life composed of routine, after routine, after routine. This is one reason the movie is relatively long: to get the viewer involved in this routine. Also, the long length of this movie gets across the passage of time which is crucial to this story about patience, the squeaky wheels of justice, and the growth of a long-term friendship. All actors in their supporting roles do a fantastic job and some of these roles have been mentioned above. Also, look for James Whitmore's heart-wrenching portrayal of Brooks, a very long-term inmate. Something else that should be mentioned is Freeman's narration as Red. His voice when he is narrating seems to add to the movie. In fact, I can't imagine the movie without his narration! Here's other things that you'll find in this movie: contrasts, opposites, unpredictability, humor, persistence, justice and redemption, renewal, and the importance of freedom. At the end of the movie, there is a double surprise ending. These endings answer two questions: (1) How did Andy escape? (2) How does Red benefit from Andy's escape? Since this is an all-male prison movie, there is some violence and foul language. But these are not gratuitous and add realism to the movie. This movie has many memorable lines. My two favorites are as follows: (1) "Get busy living or get busy dieing" (2) "Hope is a good thing--maybe the best of things." This is one of the few movies where subsequent viewings actually enhances its impact. Why is this? Because there are so many wonderful things on-screen that are presented to the viewer. The only minor complaint I have with the movie is that it sometimes can be unrealistic. But this can be forgiven since the story is so engrossing. In conclusion, as mentioned Andy escapes Shawshank prison. The viewer, however, will find the she/he cannot escape watching this powerful movie! <=====>
Rating:
Summary: One of Stephen King's best gets royal treatment
Review: Another Stephen King masterpiece that receives just the right touch on the big screen. The movie is extremely faithful to the short novel, and the few departures are just right. Everyone does a good job with the acting, and the dramatic prison escape in the ending is tear-inducing. There is some restraint on the triumph, as the old men who leave prison are different from the young men who entered. And the division of good prisoner/bad guard was a little too stark to be believed. Overall, though, this is a good movie that has something to say.
Rating: 
Summary: Triumphant celebration of the human spirit
Review: First off, this reviewer regularly rates this movie as his personal favourite of all time. Why only four stars then? Because we are asked to rate the DVD, not the movie, and the criminal lack of DVD extras for one of the best films ever made is shameful. So, film five stars, DVD three - averaging out at 4. Maths lesson over, on with the review. Based on the Stephen King novella ' Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption ' this really has become a modern day classic. Other films have grossed more, and may have a more immediate following, but Shawshank will endure for years, and become another 'Casablanca ' loved by generations to come. The film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, sent to the maximum security prison of Shawshank for the murder of his wife and her lover. Played with an under-stated intelligence by Tim Robbins in a career defining turn, and supported by sterling performances from Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, and veteran James Whitmore. Morgan Freeman's work is particularly notable, not just for his performance ( let's face it, the man doesn't know how to give a bad one! ) but also for the fact that his is the voice of the film. His chocolate-rich tones were director Frank Darabont's choice for the voice-over of the film, as if his character Red is talking to us, and explaining the sub-text of the film. Voice overs often dont work ( Blade Runner being a prime example ) but this one does, perfectly. Beginning at a slow pace, the film begins with the brutal de-humanising regime meted out to the 'Fresh Fish' as they begin their incarcaration in Shawshank. I remember suggesting my wife watch the film after I'd seen it, and she, being of a considerably more sensitive nature than me, found the early scenes difficult. If you too find the opening 45 minutes a tad heavy going, stick with it - the reward is worth it. Eventually as we progress through the film, we see how Red's initial suspicion of Andy becomes a deep respect, and eventually a deep friendship, indeed it would be true to say that these two men love each other like brothers by the end. There are a few key scenes that really stick in the memory - the rooftop scene, the opera aria scene, the exam result scene - all of which enable us to begin to like these men, men we probably wouldn't have wanted in our homes before the film, but who we'd happily sit down to dinner with after. The film's true emotional impact of course comes in the final third as we learn the truth about Andy's guilt or otherwise. True to many of King's works, there is a twist in the end which leaves us all stunned, and with a big stupid grin on our faces. The total and utter defeat of the dark forces in the film is accomplished with such applomb that you find yourself rooting for the bad guys - the prisoners, a bunch of murderers and misfits that two hours earlier you were deeply suspicious of. Indeed the last section of the film plays almost totally without our hero, and remains almost my favourite portion of it. By this time we are crying out for the final fulfilment of our hopes for the characters. It is to Frank Darabont's eternal credit that he accomplishes this in a scene without dialogue, and a sweeping panoramic withdrawl from the characters, leaving us with not a dry eye in the house, and a feel-good glow that lasts for days. ... while in [a local store] I noticed this man and wife trying to decide which DVD they would buy to view that evening. I pointed to Shawshank. "Ever seen this one?"
"No"
"Trust me" I said, "It's the best movie you've never seen." He bought it, and I like to think I made that man and wife cry, laugh and smile that evening. To conclude, Warner Bros and Castle Rock - SHAME ON YOU! This movie deserves better. The Region 2 version rocks, so get busy, re-package, and give us fans the extras this classic deserves!
Rating:
Summary: Hope Realized
Review: Frank Darabont wrote the screenplay and directed "The Shawshank Redemption" based on Stephen King's novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," which was published in "Different Seasons". Darabont had worked once before with adapting King's fiction in his film school, award-winning, three year long production of "The Woman in the Room" -- a movie Stephen King says is one of the ten best fiction-to-movie adaptations ever made. Darabont was best known for directing modern remakes of "B" movies when he first optioned Shawshank (The Fly and The Blob and the USA television movie Buried Alive). His Shawshank Redemption is the story of a man wrongfully charged with the murder of his wife and her lover, a man sentenced to two life sentences at Shawshank State Prison, and this man's undying spirit of hope in a place where hopes seems all but lost. Tim Robbins plays this character: Andrew Dufresne. Dufresne's kindness and intelligence help him to make friends with both the prisonkeeps and the prisoners. Morgan Freeman plays Ellis Boyd Redding, "Red" to his friends, a "man who can get you things" and Freeman's voice-over narration gives the film both a world-weary and noble sensibility. In one respect, Red is just as intelligent as Dufresne (albeit a kind of "street smart" intelligence) -- each know how to work within the system. However, Red keeps quiet around authority, whereas Dufresne draws into a more involved (and dangerous) working relationship with the guards and the warden. It is an emotional drama -- one where friendship and kindness rises above cruelty and injustice. Hence, it is kind of "romantic" in the classical sense; that is, you ain't gonna find any prison in the US where guys are this buddy-buddy. However, this is balanced (in my opinion) by Roger Deakin's masterful cinematography, and the story's ultimate message of hope. I believe Deakins won an Oscar for his work and though the venerable cinematographer's collaboration with the Coen brothers may give you a better understanding of his range -- it is clear in Shawshank that his range is damn well, wide open. If ever you wanted to learn cinematography, Roger Deakins is the man to study. His camera work gives life to scenes that are ostensibly void of life, and his masterful work with black and white, with light and color, is one of the major components that gives Shawshank its powerful psychological tension and brilliance. Bob Gunton plays the sanctimoneous and corrupt Warden Norton, and Clancey Brown turns in a fine performance as the brutal Captain of the Guards, Byron Hadley. I also enjoyed the performance of Brian Libby as the jocular "Floyd". And several of the scenes with James Whitmore's "Brooks Hatlen" are heartrenderingly emotional. Noteable also is the Hank-Williams loving "Heywood" played by William Sadler, and Gil Bellows's first film role as "Tommy". My two favorite scenes are: 1) the scene with the prisoners drinking beer atop the license plate factory and 2) the final scene, filmed in the US Virgin Islands. These are the images that stay with me the most after viewing this film. They are the scenes where prisoners are made free, and the story rises above existential bleakness. They are colorful and alive, intended to show redemption realized. Altogether "The Shawshank Redemption" may well be my favorite "stuck on an island" movie because it is the story of hope realized no matter the circumstances. It offers us the possibility of redemption from injustice, futility, and despair. It offers us a story wherein kindness and belief triumph. And in that, it may well be one of the finest movies of the human spirit at its best.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies of all time
Review: I just got this DVD set as an Xmas gift cuz the person who gave it to me knew how much I had loved this movie....It is definitely in the top 3 movies I love of all time. Can't quite pin down what it is about the movie....It is the message of hope? Triumph over adversity? The feel good ending? It is just all what a movie should be.....I am glad the public has finally given it the place it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Freeman's Shining Moment
Review: Judging by the volume of reviews for "The Shawshank Redemption" there probably isn't much more to say other than that this is a great landmark film. I'm going to use this forum to sing the praises of Morgan Freeman because this film is his greatest accomplishment in an impressive film career. As good as the ensemble of actors employed here Freeman's Red is the glue that holds the whole enterprise together. This performance is the difference between a very good film and a great one. I remember when Siskel and Ebert were doing their Oscar show back in 1995, I can't remember which, but one selected Freeman as best actor and the other picked Tom Hanks for "Forrest Gump" the logic being that Freeman had the less showy but no less powerful role while Hanks performed more mannerly. As time goes on, Freeman's role eclipses Hanks but that's not how the Academy saw it at the time. This year Freeman is nominated for the Oscar again for his role in "Million Dollar Baby". I hope he gets it. I watched the Golden Globes and it broke my heart to see Clive Owen beat Freeman for his part in "Closer". Owen was very good but when you take the track record into account Freeman is long overdue for the gold statuette.
Rating:
Summary: Shawshank cant be made twice
Review: The best movie in every movie store. There can be no other movie that reaches the heights of this one. Its a true classic. For me its the measuring stick. I compare all other movies to this one. I give Godfather I and II a score of 9/10. 10 being shawshank. I simply cannot accept another movie that can be like the Shawshank. not possible.......Everyone who watches this is forced to give it 5 stars. Guys like me get a little carried away and 5 seems to short a number for stars if the movie is shawshank. I just get goose bumps everytime i hear morgan freeman delivering those wonderful dialogues. Man what a movie!
Rating:
Summary: Get busy livin, or get busy dying
Review: The plot of this film does not sound promising. Two guys become close friends while sharing time in a prison for twenty years. It is also very long, clocking in at around 2 hours 20 minutes. However, this is quite possibly the most enjoyable movie I have ever seen, with great characters and super pacing leading to a wonderful surprise ending. This movie lost the best picture Oscar in 1994 to Forrest Gump. While Tom Hanks deserved the best Actor award that year, that movie was no where near as good as this one. Tim Robbins plays Andy Dufresne, a Maine Banker who is falsly convicted of the double murder of his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank Prison for two life sentences, one for each victim. Early in his stay, he meets "Red" (Morgan Freeman) who has already logged twenty years there and is turned down for parole when we first meet him. Red is the man who has the connections to get anything the prisoners want, for a price. He actually has no respect for Andy when he first sees him, but eventually they become very close. The movie is fantastic in the way it sets up the personalities of the various characters in just a few scenes. Both the warden and the head guard are extremely evil men, yet we don't see them more than in just a few scenes. Their characters are established early and we grow to hate them almost immediately. The ending has several parts and it is great. It may be one of the most complete surprise endings ever, several strands in the story seem to come together at once. Should have been best picture.
Rating: 
Summary: BYRON HADLEY DELIVERS A BEAT DOWN FOR THE AGES!
Review: The scene where the inmate who cries about how he shouldn't be in the prison? I believe he's the character "Fat Ass"? Anyway, the scene where Capt. Byron Hadley gets him out of the cell and starts kicking the s__t out of him had me laughing so hard in the theater it was embarrassing. I couldn't help it.
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