The Shawshank Redemption Essay

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The film, scripted and directed by Frank Darabont, is based on Stephan Kings novel, one of his few non-horror books he has written. The Shawshank Redemption the first theatrical feature written and directed by Darabont (he’d previously directed Buried Alive, a nastily entertaining made for TV thriller) Shawshank is based on a 91-page story called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. Shawshank Redemption begins in 1946 with the voice over narration of Red (Morgan Freeman) a man who has spent most of his years in the maximum security Shawshank jail. Though there are other characters in the background, the story focuses on the friendship that evolves between Red (Morgan Freeman) and Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a young banker serving two life sentences for murdering his wife, and her lover. As in most prison sagas we get a vast range of sensitive to the toughest of all prisoners. With times that leave you feeling repulsed with violent scenes, in which a gang of ruthless thugs savagely rapes Andy.
Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding, who is now considered by many as the greatest black character in a film. Freeman with his authorative voice and clam demeanor has a strong presence in the film. Acting as a prisoner in for life, convicted of murder in 1927. Before Freeman was cast Clint Eastwood, Paul Neman and Robert Redford were each considered for the role. Although written as a middle-aged Irishman with graying red hair (as in the novel), Darabont cast Freeman for his definitive presence and manner. He could not see anyone else as Red. The dialogue shows Darrabont humor towards casting Freeman as Red. And in the movie when asked about where the origin of his name came from Freeman says “maybe its because I’m Irish” which at the time think it’s a weird sentence but after get the humor behind it. Freeman has received academy award nominations for his performances and even got a nomination for best actor when staring as Red in The Shawshank Redemption.
However Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne also had a stand out performance. He has previously been involved in films, such as the 1998 baseball film Bull Durham. He received critical acclaim and won best actor award at Cannes for his staring role as an amoral film executive in Robert Altman’s 1992 film The Player. Robbins trademarks of a soft mellow voice, towering height and slender frame were used to their full potential in this film emphasizing the traits of Andy. Robbins commendable performance as Andy Dufresne portraying the character so well to the point we forget that he’s Tim Robbins not Andy Dufresne.
The Shawshank Redemption is ultimately satisfying as a result of superb performances by both Morgan Freeman And Tim Robbins, two great actors who add depth and resonance to the story. Darabont has done an astonishing job of the movie feeling alive and real. Shawshank is like no other prison drama it covers very literal ideas and situations that were happening in America at the time and emphasizes how wrong some things can be.
The aspect of the Shawshank Redemption that its admires seem drawn to first and foremost, is its theme stated in the films tagline “fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free” Hope is a major motif in the film. The dangers of hope, the necessity of hope. Andy Dufresne (Robbins) appears before us as the typical stereotype of this theme ‘an unjustly imprisoned saint’. Andy spends nineteen years in jail for a double murder he didn’t commit; his friend, Red is actually guilty of murder- though in Kings story we’re told what he did, whereas in the movie we don’t find out. Darabont more than likely did this so that we could feel sympathy for Red. Not see him as a malicious villain. For much of the film we’re watching two sane, civilized men forging a friendship amongst savages.
In times the interacting scenes can seem long and dragging and occasionally broke by some action, though overall the picture pacing is unduly slow. Although it can
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