Shawshank Redemption

Synopsis: Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Morgan Freeman), this film is an extraordinary tale of hope, friendship and survival inside a maximum security prison.

Wrongly accused city banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) arrives at Shawshank Prison in 1947 after receiving a double life sentence for the brutal murders of his wife and her lover.

He discovers that when they send you to Shawshank for life...that's exactly what they take. Hist quiet strenth slowly earns him the respect and friendship of the prison fixer Red (Morgan Freeman). he also becomes popular with the warden and prison guards, as he is able to use his banking experience to help the corrupt officials amass fortunes.

But Andy's seemingly stoic acceptance of his unjust imprionment hides a fierce determination for freedom and provides a unique chance to change his fate.

This beautifully crafted movie features powerfulperformances from the entire cast and ultimately provides an uplifting message about the power of the human spirit and the value of hope.

Rating: R for language and prison violence.

Run Time: 142 Min.

Director: Frank Darabont

Dvd Extra's: Theatricla Trailer, Interviews with star cast, Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature includes interviews with Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman plus interviews with key crew members including Frank Darabont, the producer, production designer and film critics.

In The Credits: The man who cried and was beaten when Andy first arrived is listed and credited as "Fat Ass" -- the other inmates nickname for him.

Closing Credits: In Memory of Allen Green (Allen Green was Frank Darabont's agent and a close personal friend who died just before the completion of The Shawshank redemption).

Nudity Factor: Male shower scene showing shots of butts.

Of Note: The Rita Hayworth movie the prisoners are watching is Gilda (1946).

Trailer: Click Here (wmv)

Review by: Jason James Rating:

This movie is very well done. The acting is as good as it can get. Besides you can't go wrong having Morgan Freeman narrating though the movie. The movie has great moments, funny moments, uplifting moments, and even a few sad moments. It also does a great job making you believe that the movie is going one direction only to take you in a different direction. It is one of those movies that can hold your attention and really pulls you in. You start to pull for the characters as they come and go thoughout the movie. This movie has always been one of my favorites. Even after you know how it ends you still enjoy coming back and watching it again and again. You get to follow Andy as he is wrongfully convicted of murder. He is sentenced to served two life terms and is quickly shipped to Shawshank. As he arrives people start to bet against his ability to survive the life inside. Quickly they learn the error and Andy not only survives but builds about as much of an empire as you can on hte inside. Following Andy during his ups and downs, his interactions with others, and eventually his ability to get about as much of a normal life as possible really builds into a great story. I can't say enough good things about this movie. Just one of those films that delivers without special effects because the story is just that good.