The Shawshank Redemption

The year is 1947. The stark courtroom casts long shadows as a young, composed Andy Dufresne stands accused of a crime so heinous, it defies his very nature. His life, once defined by crisp suits and bank ledgers, is now reduced to the cold, unforgiving reality of Shawshank Penitentiary. Inside, the air is thick with despair, a symphony of clanging cell doors and hardened voices. It’s a world where hope is a dangerous commodity, where men like Red, a seasoned inmate who knows the ropes, offer a grim welcome. Warden Norton, a figure of religious piety and ruthless control, oversees this domain, his gaze piercing and judgmental. As Andy navigates the brutal hierarchy, facing threats from the predatory Bogs Diamond and the ever-present shadow of Captain Hadley’s volatile temper, he clings to an inner resilience, a quiet determination that sparks a flicker of hope in the darkest of places, a hope that might just be his salvation, or his ultimate downfall.

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

In 1947, Andy Dufresne, a successful banker, is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, sentenced to two life sentences at the notorious Shawshank Penitentiary, a grim, stone fortress where hope is a forgotten word. Inside, he navigates the brutal realities of prison life, enduring violence, corruption, and the constant threat to his spirit. He forms an unlikely friendship with Red, an inmate known for his ability to procure contraband, who initially bets against Andy’s survival but soon recognizes his quiet strength and unyielding integrity. Warden Norton, a pious and outwardly respectable man, exploits Andy’s financial expertise, using him to launder money in a complex scheme that deepens Andy’s entanglement within the prison’s corrupt system. As years turn into decades, Andy’s presence subtly transforms Shawshank, bringing small acts of hope and humanity to its denizens, including securing books for the prison library with the help of Heywood and other inmates. He secretly plans his escape, fueled by an unwavering belief in freedom. A young inmate, Tommy, arrives, offering potential evidence that could exonerate Andy, but Warden Norton, desperate to protect his illicit operations, silences Tommy, crushing Andy’s hopes for legal redemption. This act solidifies Andy’s resolve to escape and expose the corruption, culminating in a meticulously planned and executed act of defiance that shatters the Warden’s control and reclaims Andy’s life, leaving Red with the promise of reunion on a beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, a testament to the enduring power of hope and perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Details

In the stark, unforgiving world of Shawshank Penitentiary, hope becomes the most contraband commodity. The Shawshank Redemption unfolds in the 1940s, where Andy Dufresne, portrayed by Tim Robbins, a successful banker, is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Stripped of his former life, Andy navigates the brutal realities of prison life, facing violence, corruption, and the soul-crushing monotony of incarceration. Within these grim walls, he encounters Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding, played by Morgan Freeman, a fellow inmate known for his ability to procure goods within the prison, who becomes Andy’s closest confidant and source of pragmatic wisdom. Their enduring friendship forms the emotional core of the story, illustrating the power of human connection in the face of despair. As Andy spends his days working in the prison laundry and later leveraging his financial expertise to assist the corrupt Warden Norton, played by Bob Gunton, and the guards, including Captain Byron T. Hadley portrayed by Clancy Brown, he quietly nurtures a dream of freedom. Andy’s unwavering integrity and subtle acts of defiance inspire his fellow inmates, including Heywood played by William Sadler, and offer a glimmer of hope in a place designed to extinguish it. The film explores themes of hope, perseverance, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of maintaining one’s humanity in the most dehumanizing of environments, culminating in a breathtaking act of redemption that redefines the meaning of freedom.

FAQs

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What is the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” about?

The film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, and his life in Shawshank prison, focusing on his friendship with Red and his enduring hope.

When was “The Shawshank Redemption” released?

It was released on September 23, 1994.

Who directed “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The movie was directed by Frank Darabont.

Who are the main actors in “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The main actors are Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding.

What genre(s) does “The Shawshank Redemption” belong to?

The film belongs to the Drama and Crime genres.

What was the budget for “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The budget for the movie was $25,000,000.

What was the revenue generated by “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The movie generated a revenue of $28,341,469.

What is the runtime of “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The runtime of the film is 142 minutes.

Where was “The Shawshank Redemption” produced?

The movie was produced in the United States of America.

What is the tagline for “The Shawshank Redemption”?

The tagline is: “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.”

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