The Shawshank Redemption

Running Time: 142mins

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1

Picture: Widescreen- Matted

Bonus Materials:
Stills Gallery, Theatrical Trailers & Scene Selections.

Rating:
Film:5/5 Extras:2/5

Review

Red an inmate of Shawshank State Prison, serving a life sentence for murder recalls the story of his once fellow inmate and personal friend Andy Dufresne.

Andy had in his former life been a conservative young banker before a wrongful conviction for the murder of his wife and her lover. Red begins his story by recalling the commencement of Andy's life in Shawshank. The struggle of an innocent man to cope amongst some of the most brutal inmates and prison guards imaginable unfolds.

With his wrongful conviction a whole range of financial abilities have been imported to Shawshank. And so the snowball starts to role. Enticed by sound (and completely free of charge) advise, Andy becomes financial advisor to every officer in Shawshank and beyond.

Life starts to get interesting when from on high the prison governor takes interest in Andy's abilities, making the inmate a key element in a corrupt enterprise set up to amass a personal fortune. However things take a very sour turn when the governor, in a bid to control Andy, harms the people that Andy values the most.

Reds tale about his friend culminates with Andy's brilliant plot to escape from Shawshank and restore some personal justice to his life at the same time. Did he succeed?

Trust me people this film is so brilliant you don't want anyone telling you the outcome of the film before you watch it for yourselves.

Atmosphere
Right from the start the film has an atmosphere which makes the tale of Shawshank real to the viewer. The atmosphere continues to be built through the clever narration of one of the films main characters (Red, played by Morgan Freeman).

Plot
I rarely talk up a film, however plots just don't come any better than Shawshank. The whole way through the film is enthralling, and it culminates in a fantastic twist which you simply don't see coming.

Special Effects
The Shawshank Redemption does not use, does not need; and is brilliant without special effects.

Sound
The easy listening voice of Morgan Freeman (the narrator) combined with a strong and atmospheric soundtrack make the overall sound package very strong indeed.

Acting
Simply brilliant. Tim Robins, Morgan Freeman and cast make you feel like a fly on the wall of the prison (so strong are their acting performances).

Overall
Ladies and Gentlemen: it simply doesn't get any better than this. An accolade which I do not ever give out.

Main Cast

Andy Dufresne - Tim Robbins
Red Redding - Morgan Freeman

Director - Frank Darabont

Based on the story by Stephen King

Buy this at Black Star!