“Get busy living or get busy dying…”
One of the greatest films of all time, The Shawshank Redemption, was released in the US 21 years ago today and much like the rest of the world, I absolutely adore Frank Darabont’s prison drama.
It’s one of those special films that whenever it’s on TV, I have to watch it until the very end, despite seeing it over 2,437 times, because there isn’t a single fault with any aspect of it.
Very few films are as powerful, moving and inspirational as Darabont’s 1994 masterpiece so here are 21 things that I love about it.
1) It wasn’t universally loved upon release
The Shawshank Redemption is the cinematic version of capturing lightning in a bottle because it absolutely flopped at the box-office. The film’s initial gross of $18 million didn’t even cover the cost of its production.
The prison drama opened at No. 9 in the US, below the sex comedy “Exit to Eden”, and despite being nominated for seven Oscars it failed to connect with audiences.
Fair play to Warner Brothers though because they took a huge gamble by commissioning 320,000 VHS copies of the film, an amazingly high number for a major box-office disappointment, because they realised its word of mouth potential.
The risk paid off handsomely though when the film became the most rented film in 1995.
2) How the film was made
Director Frank Darabont bought the film rights from the novella’s author Stephen King for just $1.
The duo had known each other since they worked together on another King story, The Woman in the Room, and they have remained close friends ever since. Darabont even adapted another of King’s novels ‘The Mist’ in 2007.
3) “Maybe it’s because I’m Irish”
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when Andy and Red weren’t best mates, however, their introduction is a brilliant scene.
Not only does it set up the whole dynamic of their friendship but it also reveals the potential dangers that Andy faces in prison.
Did you know that Morgan Freeman threw that baseball for nine hours? The director revealed in the DVD that this one scene proved to be absolutely torturous to film and that Freeman showed up on set the next day sporting an ice pack on his shoulder.
4) This quote from Andy
“Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
5) Andy is finally accepted
The look of contentment on Andy’s face as he rests against the wall after earning his new found friends a few beers is one of the film’s most famous images because it marks the turning point for his life in prison.
Then again, we would also be wrecked if we had to lay tar in the baking hot sun.
He definitely should have had a beer… or ten though. What was he thinking?
4) One of the greatest scenes ever filmed
The film is arguably the greatest representation of male friendship since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Turner & Hooch… or Step Brothers.
A friendship originally born out of confinement and necessity ultimately turns into one of total respect and loyalty.
Did you know that it was Freeman who suggested Robbins for the role of Andy to the producers? Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp and Charlie Sheen were all originally touted for the role while Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman were linked to the role of Red.
Some things though are just meant to be. Aww, you guys!
5) The Opera scene
Defiance, bravery, courage, comedy and the idea that even in prison, hope springs eternal. Somehow we don’t think Jedward would have worked with this scene quite as well.
6) Morgan Freeman’s voice over
Before ‘March of the Penguins’ and his brief stint as God, Freeman first gave the world an eargasm by using his voice to command our hearts and minds on the journey through life in Shawshank.
Darabont says that his main inspiration when making the film was Goodfellas, especially in relation to the use of voice over narration and editing techniques.
The actor’s calming and assured voice provides a strong moral centre to the film, while casting a fable-like atmosphere that hooks the audience from his first word to his last.
Freeman’s fantastic storytelling ability helped earn him a third Academy Award nomination for Best Actor which he lost to Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump, which also won Best Picture.
Did you know that all of Freeman’s voice over lines were recorded before any of the film was shot?
7) Brooks was here
A hugely important character because he is the embodiment of the other direction that Andy and Red’s lives could have gone in after prison.
8) Tommy introduces himself
Did you know that this role was earmarked for a certain Mr Brad Pitt but he was already committed to do Interview with the Vampire? I love Tommy because he was young, funny and wild.
9) We can relate to this scene
Like many things in the film, this line works on so many different levels. Who hasn’t felt like this at some point?
10) The Warden shows his true colours
It’s testament to Bob Gunton’s performance that he managed to make his character one of cinema’s most-hated villains.
The veil around the warden finally falls here as we realise that high walls, dangerous criminals and barbed wire aren’t the worst things about life in Shawshank Prison.
Ultimately Tommy’s fatal crime proved to be loyalty and devotion to his friend. What a bastard.
If that wasn’t proof enough then this scene most definitely is. The warden really is so obtuse.
11) Red’s parole hearing
It’s almost impossible to choose our favourite Morgan Freeman scene from this film but this redemptive speech, on his own terms, to the parole board is superb.
In little under two minutes, Red pours his soul out about those feelings of regret, frustration and disillusion with the world that have built up inside him for so long.
Dramatic close-ups in films were invented for scenes like this.
12) Hammer in a bible
The joke of having Andy’s rock hammer tucked into the Bible right after the first page of the Book of Exodus came from the film’s prop master, Tom Shaw. A small detail but absolutely genius.
13) This line from Warden Norton
“Lord! It’s a miracle! Man up and vanished like a fart in the wind!”
14) The most perfect reveal
Tim Robbins’ little half-smile in the bank is absolutely priceless. This might just be the ultimate feel-good scene in film history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ALBpFg8DEw
15) One of the most iconic images in any film
16) The most perfect ending
In the original script, the film ended with Red on the bus in search of Andy, but the studio felt that that this ending was cheating audiences who wanted to see the friends reunited.
Director Frank Darabont revealed on the DVD that he preferred the original ending, but was willing to shoot the reunion because the studio gave him final cut.
We’re delighted that he changed his mind. Perfection.
17) Its place in film history
The Shawshank Redemption has been #1 on IMDb’s user-generated Top 250 since 2008, when it surpassed The Godfather. Well deserved also.
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