The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American prison drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore appear in supporting roles. Darabont purchased the film rights to King's story in 1987, but development did not begin until five years later, when he wrote the script over an eight-week period. Two weeks after submitting his script to Castle Rock Entertainment, Darabont secured a $25 million budget to produce The Shawshank Redemption, which started pre-production in January 1993. While the film is set in Maine, principal photography took place from June to August 1993 almost entirely in Mansfield, Ohio, with the Ohio State Reformatory serving as the eponymous penitentiary. The project attracted many stars for the role of Andy, including Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Kevin Costner. Thomas Newman provided the film's score. While The Shawshank Redemption received critical acclaim upon its release—particularly for its story, the performances of Robbins and Freeman, Newman's score, Darabont's direction and screenplay and Roger Deakins' cinematography—the film was a box-office disappointment, earning only $16 million during its initial theatrical run. Many reasons were cited for its failure at the time, including competition from the films Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump, the general unpopularity of prison films, its lack of female characters, and even the title, which was considered to be confusing for audiences. It went on to receive multiple award nominations, including seven Academy Award nominations, and a theatrical re-release that, combined with international takings, increased the film's box-office gross to $73.3 million. Over 320,000 VHS rental copies were shipped throughout the United States, and on the strength of its award nominations and word of mouth, it became the top video rental of 1995. The broadcast rights were acquired following the purchase of Castle Rock by Turner Broadcasting System, and it was shown regularly on the TNT network starting in 1997, further increasing its popularity. Decades after its release, the film is still broadcast regularly, and is popular in several countries, with audience members and celebrities citing it as a source of inspiration or naming it a favorite in various surveys, leading to its recognition as one of the most "beloved" films ever made. In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Watch it, old-timer! Are you trying to get killed? I saw an automobile once, when I was a kid, but now... they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. The parole board got me into this halfway house called The Brewer, and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It's hard work, and I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time. Make sure your man double-bags. Last time, the bottom near came out. Make sure you double-bag, like the lady says. Understand? Yes, sir. I surely will. I don't think the store manager likes me very much. Sometimes, after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might just show up and say hello. But he never does.
The Shawshank Redemption
And I hope, wherever he is, he's doing OK and making new friends. I have trouble sleeping at night. I have bad dreams, like I'm falling. I wake up, scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should get me a gun and rob the Foodway, so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager, while I was at it. Sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense any more. I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided... not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss. Not for an old crook like me. "I doubt they'll kick up any fuss. Not for an old crook like me." PS. Tell Heywood I'm sorry I put a knife to his throat. "No hard feelings. Brooks."
The Shawshank Redemption
"In addition, the Library District has generously responded with a charitable donation of used books and sundries. We trust this will fill your needs. We now consider the matter closed. Please stop sending us letters." I want all this cleared out before the Warden gets back. Yes, sir. Good for you, Andy. Wow! It only took six years. From now on, I'll write two letters a week, instead of one. Oh, I believe you're crazy enough. You'd better get all this stuff out, like the Captain said. Now, I'm gonna go pinch a loaf. When I come back, this is all gone, right? Wow.
The Shawshank Redemption
Duettino from The Marriage Of Figaro ♪♪ Sull'aria... Andy, do you hear that? ♪♪ ..Zeffiretto ♪♪ Questa sera spirera ♪♪ Sotto I pini ♪♪ Del boschetto ♪♪ Sotto I pini... Dufresne? Dufresne? Andy, let me out. Andy? I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. The truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't be expressed in words... and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared... higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away. And for the briefest of moments... every last man at Shawshank felt free.
The Shawshank Redemption
Y-Y-You couldn't play something good, huh? Hank Williams or something? They broke the door down before I could take requests. Was it worth it, two weeks in the hole? Easiest time I ever did. Bullshit! There's no such thing as easy time in the hole. A week in the hole is like a year. I had Mr. Mozart to keep me company. So, they let you tote that record player down there, huh?
The Shawshank Redemption
That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you. Haven't you ever felt that way about music? Well, I played a mean harmonica, as a younger man. Lost interest in it, though. Didn't make much sense in here. Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it, so you don't forget. Forget? Forget that... there are places... ...in the world that aren't made out of stone... that there's a... there's something... inside that they can't get to... that they can't touch. It's yours.
The Shawshank Redemption