The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is an American drama film released in 1994, written and directed by Frank Darabont. The movie is based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The movie was a box office disappointment at its initial release. Several reasons were cited for its failure like lack of female cast and confusion because of its name. Later, it went for a theatrical re-release and also one of the top rentals in 1995. It received various award nominations including seven Academy Award nominations.

The film tells the story of a banker Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins and his journey of two decades in the Shawshank. Sentenced of double life imprisonment for the murders of his wife and her lover, Andy turns out to be truly an unconventional prisoner. He befriends a fellow prisoner, Ellis Redding aka Red played by Morgan Freeman. Red claims to know a few things and get things done.

The movie explores the themes of hope, friendship and resilience. Andy maintains his innocence and high spirit throughout his imprisonment. His wit and approach uplift the spirit of fellow prisoners. He is a smart banker, educated enough about the loopholes of system which helps the staff of the Shawshank.

The Brooks Hatlen Memorial Library within Shawshank was built by Andy. This library depicts Andy’s resolution and persistence. He wrote letters to the authority every week for several years to get the funding. Andy helps inmates to get their high school equivalency.

A man would do anything to keep his mind occupied. That’s how Red mentioned this hobby of Andy of toting his wall in the exercise field. Andy initially said it would take a man 600 years to escape the imprisonment using a rock hammer, which Red believed by looking at the size of hammer. Andy did it in twenty years.

Andy escapes and a year later Red gets his parole. In the arrangement he also might have died coming back to the society after 40 years of imprisonment. Inside he was a man of use and outside he didn’t feel like home. Only the promise he made to Andy led him to escape the arrangement by the jail authorities. He survived on hope and friendship.

The movie is a beautiful portray of hope, friendship, resilience and faith. The cinematography depicts the lives of prisoners and how they are being stripped of basic human rights. Great direction of the story line by Darabont accompanied by the flawless work of the actors makes the extraordinary.

~Riddhima Agarwal~

Riddhima is currently pursuing BA LLB from Institute of Law, Nirma University. She has an interest in reading, economics, social work and human rights.