This classic movie won an Oscar for the first time director Frank Darabont and you can see why.
It
is based on a short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption"
by Stephen King, and focuses on the life of a young banker Andy Dufresne
played by Tim Robbins(The Player), after being found guilty of the
murder of his wife and her male companion.
He protests his
innocence, but the judge seeing his demeanour paraphrased, says "you
strike me as a particularly cold and remorseless individual... " and
sentences him to two life sentences.
Whilst in prison he befriends
the local prison smuggler, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding played
magnificently(who was nominated and many felt deserved the Oscar for
Best Actor in a leading role) by Morgan Freeman. There is a scene that
might leave many a little befuddled, as Andy askes Red if he can smuggle
in Rita Hayworth, Red replies no problem, narrating that whenever
anyone needed anything they came to him, and you are left in two minds
on what exactly this means.
It captures the torment of prison, and
the prisoners struggles as their humanity is eroded. There is a
particular poignant scene played by the late James Whitmore(Give 'em
hell Harry) as Brooks Hatlen who has been released into a modern world
after fifty years in prison, writing a letter to his friends back in
jail, whilst his voice narrates the letter we are shown him struggling
to get to grips with the modern world, such as crossing the road to
avoid the many motor cars, he hardly ever saw when he was a kid.
Along
with having to serve time for a crime he didn't commit Andy also has to
help the corrupt warden, Warden Norton played wonderfully by Bob
Gunton(The Lazarus Project) siphon money obtained from using the
prisoners as cheap workers into private accounts, as well as the
Warden's enforcer Captain Hadley played by Clancy Brown(Highlander,
Kelvin Inman in Lost) prevent the government from taking huge chunk of
tax from his inheritance. While in prison Andy tries to take his mind
over the wrongful conviction by focusing on projects such as a prison
library, carving out chess pieces, and helping Tommy played by a young
Gil Bellows(Ally McBeal) pass his school exams.
This is a well
directed movie, with superb performances from all and it is truly a
wonderful case of the "indomitable human spirit".
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