Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Frank Darabont, Castle Rock Entertainment, MA, 142 Minutes.
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ released in 1994 was the first major feature film directed by Frank Darabont (‘The Green Mile’), based on Stephen King’s short story the movie have become a classic.
Essentially it is a prison movie about two men, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins – ‘Mystic River’) and Red Redding, (Morgan Freeman – ‘Driving Miss Daisy’) serving life sentences, who ultimately form a firm friendship to deal with their harsh reality in Shawshank prison.
Red is the narrator throughout the movie, he appears in the opening scenes as a person arranging cigarettes etc. for other inmates at the same time as taking bets on whether any new inmates will cry on arrival.
One new inmate that Red bets on is Andy, a former banker and considered an innocent man imprisoned for murdering his wife, who seemingly accepts his new life by taking on a library job.
In recognition of his economic credentials the corrupt Warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton – ‘Broken Arrow’) soon gets Andy to maintain the books and do his taxes besides doing the same for the entire prison staff including their pension plans.
In spite of the constant presence of the sadistic Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown – ‘The Guardian’) Andy continues to develop a personal relationship with Red through whom he sees his redemption, having himself endured countless trials and tribulations over the years.
After spending much of his time in prison Andy gets his chance to escape and collect the spoils hidden within the Warden’s bank and, not forgetting Red following his release, he is finally reunited with his friend.
In many respects Darabont’s prison drama is considered to be one of the all-time great movies of the past century due to the captivating and inspirational storyline that is the embodiment of the human spirit.
Most importantly it is Andy’s friendship with Red and his determination in overcoming the many obstacles in prison that enables him to realise the redemption being sought which becomes clearer in the concluding scenes.
Apart from the storyline it is the performances of both Morgan and Robbins that are remarkable in a story filled with its share of brutal scenes that only adds to the reality of Darabont’s rendition of prison life.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
The Shawshank Redemption is to be televised on 9 GEM at 8.30pm on Saturday 21 August.
