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Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, Bill Sadler, Clancy Brown ... see more see more... , James Whitmore , Gil Bellows , Mark Rolston , Jeffrey DeMunn , Dion Anderson , Ned Bellamy , Bill Bolender , Larry Brandenburg , Brian Brophy , Jude Ciccolella , Steve Eastin , Neil Giuntoli , Gordon Greene , Brian Libby , Ken Magee , Paul McCrane , Don McManus , David Proval , Joe Ragno , Neil Summers , Rohn Thomas , Gary Lee Davis , Joe Pecoraro , Donald Zinn , John R. Woodward , Deborah Aquila , Frank Medrano , William Sadler , Jeffrey De Munn , Joseph Ragno

In 1946, a banker named Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is convicted of a double murder, even though he stubbornly proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at the Shawshank State Prison in M... read more read more...aine, where another lifer, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), picks him as the new recruit most likely to crack under the pressure. The ugly realities of prison life are quickly introduced to Andy: a corrupt warden (Bob Gunton), sadistic guards led by Capt. Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown), and inmates who are little better than animals, willing to use rape or beatings to insure their dominance. But Andy does not crack: he has the hope of the truly innocent, which (together with his smarts) allow him to prevail behind bars. He uses his banking skills to win favor with the warden and the guards, doing the books for Norton's illegal business schemes and keeping an eye on the investments of most of the prison staff. In exchange, he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates, including Red. Based on a story by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption was the directorial debut of screenwriter Frank Darabont. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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98% liked it

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90% liked it

61 critics

R, 2 hr. 22 min.

Directed by: Frank Darabont

Release Date: September 10, 1994

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DVD Release Date: January 27, 1998

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Stats: 69,480 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (69,480)

  • aquateen2
    April 20, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    The Shawshank Redemption demonstrates one of the reasons why I love watching movies, it is utterly inspirational. A gruelingly gritty film but remarkably the most visually and emotionally warm prison dra... read morema ever crafted. Why the performance of Tim Robbins was almost entirely overlooked I honestly have no idea. At least justice was given to the never failing Morgan Freeman for his breathtaking portrayal. More deserving of Best Picture at the '94 Oscars than the hugely over rated Forrest Gump for sure. As nostalgic as it is powerfully resonant this jewel of classic film making leaves it's message for us to decide and never stopped pulling my heart strings. In my opinion this movie can change a personality for it's belief in the human spirit, friendship, survival and redemption and for that embrace it as one of the best films of the 1990's if not of all time.
  • drcamyo
    March 15, 2012
    drcamyo
    One of the greatest movies ever made. It has memorable characters, great drama and is one of the (if not) best prison movies. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman at their best. A true classic. If you haven't seen it, I recommend you go watch it as soon as possible!
  • fb1378820053
    February 11, 2012
    fb1378820053
    In my opinion the green mile and the shawshank redemption are the two best prison films ever made. The shawshank redemption is told through the eyes of Red (Morgan freeman) The main story line is about andrew mcfrays remarkable escape from the prison. The film also has many sub p... read morelots and for me almost felt like the film should of been a series at times. Not taking anything away from the film. Even though the film is over 170 minutes long it dosen't drag on in the slightest and is always keeping you on the edge of your seat and in the end leaves you asking for more. The film changed Morgan Freeman into one of the most famous actors in the world. The shawshank may have been overshadowed in awards by Forest Gump but still lives on as one of the best films of the last 20 years..
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    December 31, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Get busy living or get busy dying.

    Saw it again! What can I say? Perfect film as they come. Tremendous performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. This movie even though did not win a single Oscar was nominated for 7 and probably would have been the favorite one to win Best ... read morePicture if Forrest Gump didn't come out that same year and won. The film is smart, sad, fun, exciting and best of all teaches us a very important lesson. If you haven't watch this film before, what is wrong with you, go watch it now!!!

    Andy Dufresne, is sent to Shawshank Prison for the murder of his wife and secret lover. He is very isolated and lonely at first, but realizes there is something deep inside your body, that people can't touch and get to....'HOPE'. Andy becomes friends with prison 'fixer' Red, and Andy epitomizes why it is crucial to have dreams. His spirit and determination, leads us into a world full of imagination, filled with courage and desire. Will Andy ever realize his dreams?
  • DreamExtractor
    December 29, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most deep, incredible, inspiring, and beautiful films ever made, I cannot watch this movie without a pure smile on my face from the greatness and genius of this film. After being convicted of murdering his wife, something he denies, smart a... read morend banker Andy Duffrain (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank prison, which is run by a corrupt warden (Bob Gunton). He makes friends with some of the inmates but his closest relationship is with Red (Morgan Freeman) a wise lifer who is a you want it, he can get sort of guy. After many years there, and after the last straw from the warden, Andy does something that will be remembered throughout the history of Shawshank prison. The lot of this film is equally incredible with story and characters, we love whats going on the entire film because every moment is important to the ending of the film, and the characters of the movie are just perfection, Andy and Red as best friends is probably the greatest friendship I have ever seen a film and that makes it impossible to dislike them and how colorful and fun the supporting characters are, what an incredible and beautiful movie that shows the horrors of prison. The cast is just incredible, Tim Robbins plays his most memorable and best performance of his career if you ask me, and Morgan Freeman has also his greatest role to date and truly deserved his Oscar as much as everyone else that year, they were just incredible. The score of the film is not just amazing, that is not saying enough to how beautiful and masterful the music was, every minute this music was playing gave the movie its feel that made it feel like a real drama I think. The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most intense and incredible dramas you will ever see, I am not resenting when I say this is my favorite drama film of all time and always will be, Frank Darabont has made many Stephen King adaptions but this is his best and his masterpiece, if you need a very inspirational and incredible film, I need you to see this film.
  • fb100002891058690
    November 8, 2011
    fb100002891058690
    Easily the most dominant film I have ever seen in my lifetime. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are UNREAL in this movie. Their chemistry is like that of 2 newly bonded molecules, it's just insane. The cinematoraphy is off the charts, of course. The simple fact of the matter is,... read more is that this movie is fucking awesome and if you don't love it, you obviously don't know how to analyze films.DUH.
  • spielberg00
    October 28, 2011
    spielberg00
    Question of the day: Why did this film lose to FORREST GUMP for the 1994 Best Picture Oscar? Okay, Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis admittedly did a phenomenal job with GUMP, but THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is, with no doubt, nothing short of an unforgettable masterpiece.

    THE SHAWSHA... read moreNK REDEMPTION is adapted from Stephen King's short novel, "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption". (No "the".) Though it is most certainly not a Rita Hayworth biopic. The film starts out with Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), though having made an attempt at claiming innocence, being put in Maine's Shawshank State Prison with charges for a double murder. He meets a man nicknamed Red Redding (Morgan Freeman), and they form a friendship. Aside from that, Andy's sentence to imprisonment is marred with many various tragedies, including months of unnecessary solitary confinement, brutality from guards, inmates who act atrociously uncivilized, and even the suicide of a friend.

    Though the story is about Tim Robbins's character, the film is beautified by a well-done narration by Morgan Freeman. Also, this was the first Stephen King/Frank Darabont (writer/director) collaboration, followed by THE GREEN MILE and THE MIST, and as a collaborative debut, it was spectacular.

    As far as last scenes go, my favorite is now the one in SHAWSHANK. I won't give anything away, but I will say that the first scene is quite dull and a little underwhelming, whereas the finale sums the film up to the best, most heartfelt notch achievable. Let us applaud for the film that SHOULD have won Best Picture in 1994!
  • scottgreen96
    October 26, 2011
    scottgreen96
    Timeless classic and doesn't have to brag itself to be known as the most riveting drama of all time, a brilliant main role combination of Freeman and Robbins, exceptionally finished.
  • CreedsDelight
    September 20, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    I'd forgotten how stupendous this was. A truly unique experience like no other, with fantastic performances from Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, and the spectacular Tim Robbins, in his career defining role. Frank Darabont's best film by far, and one of the best films in cinematic mys... read moretery. A must-see for avid movie lovers.
  • c0up
    August 18, 2011
    c0up
    'The Shawshank Redemption'. A fascinating look into the psyche of men and their perceived notion of safety, freedom and self-worth, if the only life they are familiar with is that inside a prison.

    I'd heard a LOT about this film, and all things considered, it doesn't live up to ... read morethe unbelievable reputation it has. For all I'd heard about it though, I'd never read the plot, and my expectations of the main character-Andy Dufresne, played extremely competently by Tim Robbins-were way off the mark, and I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the film took, turning into a clever prison break, and me realising how much the TV series 'Prison Break' borrowed from this film.

    The highly resourceful Andy Dufresne remains the same man through it all, not letting prison get the better of him, and bettering the life of other inmates, but this film is about Morgan Freeman's Red and the change he goes through in his mindset, and he puts in a damn fine performance! Honourable mentions to a crazy William Sadler and scumbag warden Bob Gunton.

    Uplifting and filled with hope as it may have been, with the reunion at the end sending definite chills, I'm still not 100% sure Andy didn't commit the crime he was in jail for. Knowing this was written and directed by Darabont, and the twisted ending to 'The Mist' I absolutely adored, I really thought Freeman would find a murder weapon or something that incriminated Andy. Alas.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
June 15, 2011
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Freeman, who is simply a great actor, a man who has never struck a false note in his career, both narrates this tale and anchors it with his authoritative playing. Full Review

Leonard Klady
June 28, 2007
Leonard Klady, Variety

A testament to the human spirit... Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
June 28, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

A passing reference to 'The Count of Monte Cristo' offers a partial clue to what makes this movie compelling. Full Review

September 24, 2004
Boston Globe

It's a simple story elegantly, cleverly told, not to mention expertly acted. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Without a single riot scene or horrific effect, it tells a slow, gentle story of camaraderie and growth, with an ending that abruptly finds poetic justice in what has come before. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's the no-bull performances that hold back the flood of banalities.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

If the film is perhaps a little slow in its middle passages, maybe that is part of the idea, too, to give us a sense of the leaden passage of time, before the glory of the final redemption. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The Shawshank Redemption is all about hope and, because of that, watching it is both uplifting and cathartic. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It wanders down subplots at every opportunity and ignores an abundance of narrative exit points before settling on the aforementioned finale. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

It's a devoutly old-fashioned, spiritually uplifting prison drama about two lifers who must break their emotional shackles before they can finally become free men. Full Review

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    • Andy Dufresne: You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific? They say it has no memory. That's where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory.
    • Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: Andy Dufresne, was my friend.
    • Andy Dufresne: Remember, Red......Hope is a good thing......Maybe the best of things....And no good thing ever dies.
    • Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: Andy dufresne, the man who crawled through 500 yards of shit and came out clean the other end.
    • Andy Dufresne: You know, the funny thing is, on the outside I was an honest man, straight as an arrow, I had to come to prison to be a crook.
    • Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: Get busy living or get busy dying.
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The Shawshank Redemption Trivia

  • "Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free." This is the main theme for which movie?  Answer »
  • "Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free", is the tagline of...   Answer »
  • What movie had the tagline, 'Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.'?  Answer »
  • In which movie does Morgan Freeman narrate the following: "We sat and drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like free men. Hell, we could have been toring the roof on our own houses. We were the lords of all creation."  Answer »
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