While I’d never seen The Shawshank Redemption, I had heard a great deal about it. Countless friends have told me its a great film, I’d seen dozens of parodies of it and seen it included in many top 100 film lists. Yet somehow I’d never actually gotten round to watching it. Having finally seen it I wonder why I hesitated for so long.
The story of a friendship forged over 20 years of prison life, the film star Morgan Freeman as Red, a grizzled man who has been in prison since he was a young man who serves as narrator, and Tim Robbins as Andy, who at the start of the film one of the new prisoners. Bob Gunton stars as the film’s villain, the warden who gradually descends into corruption as the years go on. The film explores just what prisons does to a person and the idea of becoming institutionalised; so used to prison life that you can’t deal with life outside any longer. At times brutal, but not without its brighter and funnier moments; Shawshank is somehow able to balance out the changes in tone to create a great snapshot of prison life.
Morgan Freeman stands out as the finest actor, making the film his own. Serving as the film’s narrator, you get a much fuller sense of Red’s mindset than the other characters. Tim Robbins gives an understated performance as the often quiet Andy, hiding his motives until the film’s last few moments. The forging of their friendships is one of the best aspects, coming across as realistic and touching. The two lead actors are totally able to carry the film, everything else is just a bonus. The film’s villain can sometimes be a little exaggerated, taking some of the realism out of events. However, he is mostly played very well by Bob Gunton, coming across as more callous and corrupt as the film moves through its 20-year timeframe.
The supporting cast are good but very few stand out. James Whitmore as Brooks in his small screen time has a very sad story to tell; emphasising more than anyone the effect of prison on a person. The scenes of him on the outside are some of the film’s most memorable moments.
The film has been transferred fantastically to Blu-ray, without the noticeable grain that can occur during the process. The disc is packed with special features, including documentaries, making of features, a commentary and interviews with the cast and crew. For fans this provides new insight in to the film but from what I can find none of these are actually new for the Blu-ray, and neither are they presented in high definition. The new Steelbook edition also includes the film on DVD as well as in HD.
Overall Verdict: An excellent film about a friendship forged in tough times and the importance of keeping hope alive.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Frank Darabont
Trailers
Bonus Footage
“Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Back At The Shawshank Redemption” Featurette
The Redeeming Feature
On Location Footage
Image Gallery
Storyboard Comparisons
Reviewer: Matt Mallinson