Shawshank Redemption

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21 Responses to Shawshank Redemption

  1. Lauren Prado says:

    Lauren Prado
    UNST

    The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont, and Stephen King was one of the writers on this film. The stars in the movie were Morgan Freeman, and main character Tim Robbins. This movie didn’t hit it big in the box office but is still a “must see” film for most critics. The message of hope that the viewer gains from watching the movie is a deep, intense, and emotional feeling that envelops the spectator. Therefore, the content is more aimed towards a mature watcher.
    The targeted audience for this film was adults and fans of Stephen King’s writing. The pace of the movie might seem slow for younger viewers and might not even catch the interest of the teen audience. The film fits into the genre of Drama Thriller, there is crime, suspense and very dramatic plot twists. The main point of the film is fully embodied in a quote from the film; “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.” This is the idea that truly is portrayed through the film. As the viewer walks away from seeing this movie, this quote really stays in their head. These are heavy, but very true, claims that we as humans can all relate to.
    The message being conveyed throughout the film is the belief of Hope. It shows us that even through the roughest of times keeping our individual hope alive is possible. The films underlying spiritual message is to remind us that hope is precious, that even though things get difficult and stressful not to lose sight of our future. Hope is an emotion that can give a person’s life substance and meaning. Hope is like having faith in a higher power, when you trust that you won’t be given more than you can bear, the mind begins to believe it. Without hope humankind would fall. Hope is the fuel that keeps humans moving forward.

  2. Sarence Simatupang says:

    The film “The Shawshank Redemption” is a film written by and directed by Frank Darabont. Darabont is known for such films as “The Green Mile” and “The Mist” and was nominated for 3 Oscars. This Oscar-nominated drama follows the life events of the prisoners at Shawshank Prison. This film uses strong emotional content to attract the audience and causes viewer to empathize with the characters. This film is intended for those who have a sense of justice and those who have been wrongly accused of anything. Those who have experienced something similar to what the characters of the film experience can view this film as revelation of the harshness prison life. Younger audiences may see this film as unnecessarily violent. The message of this film is that sometimes people will suffer unjust punishment and that is just the reality of life. This message is being communicated to show the hard life of prisoners and to reveal the faults of our judicial system. One value or lifestyle that was represented in this film is the value of self-preservation. We see in this film that the prisoners will do anything to stay alive or sane. I think that this film shows that God is a caring God who looks out for us and sent His son to die for us. In this film I think Andy represents Jesus because he was falsely accused and had to suffer the punishment. I think that Red represents us because he was guilty and deserved the punishment he got. But in the end, Andy gives Red a new life and redeems him just like Jesus redeems us.

    -Sarence Simatupang

  3. ZIJIAN LI (ken) says:

    The movie Shawshank Redemption released at 1994 is a classic forever. It is directed by Frank Darabont a three times oscar ominee who si also known for The green mile. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman plays the leading role. Back to 1995 the Forrest Gump has won the Osacr award. A lot of people said that Shawshank Redemption is the biggest uncrowned king in the movie history. Ireally agree with that point, this movie has stand at the NO.1 of IMDB top 250 movies of all times for years but the most important reason is the inspiration that this movie brought. It is exactlly the kind of movie that fit the good movie standard of mine which is I will be quiet and think about a lot of things that in my life after watch it. The shawshank Redemption taught me that how to to adjust yourself in a tough situation. It is that important to learn fighting with it rather than just give up when a certain circumstance block our way. It might be hard to solve the problem, we might have tried a lot of different ways already some peoples would just give up and think this is their fate but I learned the the key to solve the problem is ourselves. Once we stop trying we abandon our keys. Tim was not the murderer but he still got in jail but he has never give up to find the way out and during these undeserved days he still live with a positive attitude and he influenced the peoples around him. The prison became like nowhere but a normal town that with a nice and friendly atmosphere. I like the sence that Tim ignored the conservatores and just sittint down enjoy the music and he turn on the brocast button that share the song with all other prisoners. I also like the sence that the night he escaped. I want to have an attitude like him, no matter what happened keep struggling for what I truly want.

  4. Laura Ojeda says:

    Get busy living, or get busy dying. Red, an inmate at the Shawshank prison, decided to busy living. He is a skeptic when it comes to being hopeful about his 30+ years in a depressing prison ever coming to an end. However, does he really want it to end? The real world does not treat former inmates with any sort of respect. They are safer within prison walls. When Andy DuFresne, a man hopelessly convicted though he is innocent, comes to Shawshank in the 1940s, he changes people’s perspectives. It takes him many years, but he installs hope in his jailbird friends, a hope that will redeem them of their long, despairing suffering. Because Andy is such genius when it comes to numbers, the prison warden signs him up to launder money for his (Warden’s) own personal pleasure. Andy smartly does so, but he has his secrets. The warden claims that the Bible is the one and only good book, and that within the Bible, salvation is found. His foreshadowed words could not be truer. The warden is an evil man, a murderer, and a hypocrite.
    This compelling story comes from the mind of Stephen King. Through his character, Andy, King shows us a different version of Jesus coming to this Earth. Like Jesus, Andy receives unjust treatment. Like Jesus, Andy wins in the end, and his closest friend sees light through the way Andy lives. This film is fit for all people who are ready to delve into what it really means to have hope.

  5. Kaitlyn Chuquimia says:

    The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont and written by the well known author Stephen King. Its main stars are Tim Robbins who plays Andy and Morgan Freeman who plays “Red”. Andy goes to jail for the murder of his wife and the man she was cheating on him with, however he did not commit it although all evidence points to him. This Shawshank Redemptions target audience would be mature teens to adults also it would include fans of Stephen King. It would not be suitable for children because the subject matter would be too heavy for a younger audience because of the language, sexual content, and violence that is within this movie. I think that the main message trying to be portrayed is the idea of hope. The idea of having something better to look forward to in the end. The freedom achieved when this hope turns to reality is something Andy and Red have gained by the end of this movie. This can relate to us by the hope that we share in wanting to get to heaven. Even though we’ll go through obstacles throughout life, God provides a hope that He will never let us go through something we cant handle and in the end He will set us free.

  6. Sarah McCary says:

    The Shawshank Redemption is based on a story by author Steven King, but the film screenplay was written and directed by Frank Darabont. The movie is beautifully filmed, even though almost the entire movie is set inside of prison walls. But beyond the scenery and sights, the characters of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are so lovable and enjoyable to watch that they are the key elements to making this film successful and a classic even 16 years after its first release. Tim Robbins’ character, Andy, is the main character in the film that is put in prison for two life sentences, strives to remain full of hope and gain normalcy in his life, even though he may never see the real world ever again. Red, Morgan Freemans’ character, on the other hand, is more realistic, yet watches Andy with adoration and is inspired by him.
    The Warden, who is also a main character thoughout the film, shows hypocrisy that is very easily found in religious people. He claims to believe in the bible, salvation, and God, yet has no trouble committing murder, violence towards the inmates, and keeps Andy in prison even when he could have been released because he was falsely accused. He shows that even though a person may claim to be a relgious person, many times it can be a facade.
    The way I view this film is that having hope and faith in life is what drives us, especially having a faith in God to keep us going day to day. Others, such as those who don’t have a strong spirituality or don’t believe in any sort of religion, may not see the movie as full of hope and life. I believe the message of this film is to keep hope alive and give other hope that they need. Andy was full of hope of a better tomorrow, and he reinstated hope into a hopeless Red. Even if we get to the lowest of places, there is always another side. And luckily for us, we believe in a God who will help us use all of our might to get there. This message was being communicated for the simple reason of giving the world a view of a strong hope that we all need or need to keep alive in this world. I think that the filmmakers view of God is closely related to mine; that God drives us and will help us along.

  7. jason adiputra says:

    Shawshank Redemption

    The movie was directed and created by Frank Darabont. What caught my attention was the well-planned plot of the movie. It was written with great depth and shows ultimate commitment. It is about a man named Andy Dufresne, a successful young banker who is sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and the man she has an affair with. In jail he makes friends with a man named Ellis Boyd played by Morgan freeman. However Andy was falsely accused for murder, and slowly but surely Andy shakes off the bitterness and injustice. He helps other prisoners to never give up hope and to continue pursuing whatever goals they plan to achieve.
    Others might understand this message differently due to their personal background. Different backgrounds might lead to different interpretations of the movie, and different messages that are conveyed. I feel like this message is being communicated to show us that we should be doing good to others, even when they have wronged us. This movie ties in strongly to God’s experience, when he was betrayed. Injustice was brought upon God, false accusations and lies. But he still forgave those who wronged him by doing good. Andy in this film, plays the role of God, symbolizing God’s character by helping others.

  8. Bryant Gamboa says:

    “Get busy living or get busy dieing.” The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont in 1994, almost 17 years ago. Yet the movie still holds its place and message even in our time. The story begins when Andy, a very important banker is accused of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank, a jail to server a lifetime sentence. This is where he learns lessons about life through his friends and after some time finally tunnels out to freedom. While the movie might seem simple on the surface through the techniques like the title, bible texts, names, irony and how things seemed to have happened by chance or just randomly, such as the poster or Andy strolling in the courtyard. The Shawshank Redemption gains a deeper meaning when it all comes to play. Everything that happened had a reason and at the end the innocent were freed, (one way or another) and the bad people got what was long over due. I relate and compare the Shawshank Redemption to the story in the book of Gensis, the story of Joseph more specifically. Both Andy and Joseph were in high positions and yet both were sent somewhere they didn’t belong, and although it seemed that things were going bad, they still influenced people with there good attitude and the hope they highly treasured. They helped those in need and also those that took advantage of them but at the end they prevailed for the better. Over all a great film, but a tad to long for my taste.

  9. Milton Vega says:

    The Shawshank Redemption was released on October 7, 1994. It made a little under $2 million on its first weekend release which was lower than expected. It was directed by Frank Darabont, starred James Whitmore and Morgan Freeman, and was adapted from a short novel by Stephen King. I would imagine that someone who had ever been falsely accused and punished for anything they had not done would feel a certain resonance with this story. I think that it appeals to many audiences because at its base it is really a story of justice. An innocent man was put in jail and found a way to escape. A creative technique that kept me interested in the film was Morgan Freeman’s narration. It added a unique spin to the movie and the captivating writing made the overall movie more enjoyable. Most of the narration adds background information that would have been unable to be put in the movie without the narration. With the background information given the movie almost felt like a book that painted a more dynamic picture of the characters and emotions. The part that reminded me of God in this movie was the fact that it all turned out good in the end. Although Andy went through lots of trial and pain in his life, in the end he obtained his dream. This reminds me of the promises in the Bible that God has plans for our future to prosper us and to give us hope.

  10. Jason Siu says:

    The writer of Shawshank Redemption is Stephen King, but Frank Darabont was the one who wrote the screenplay. The trailer for the film seems to portray it as a very dramatic movie, in which when you see it you’re curious and want to find out what happens. Different messages can be found in the movie, seeing as how long it is. It just depends on the type of person you are. Some people may see it as a story of hope, others as a story of friendship. You might even see it as a story of patience. I saw it as a story of both hope and patience. Because you can see how hopeful and determined Andy is to get out of that prison, while at the same time you can see how patiently he acts while he’s digging his way out. You get to see the lifestyle of an inmate at this time period, but not just one, you see a variety of personalities expressed by other inmates. I saw this movie as you have to be patient for God to arrive in your life, and when you have hope he will appear to you. That everything will be alright in the end if you are patient.

  11. Abdiel Vallejo says:

    The Shawshank Redemption was released in 1994 and was directed by Frank Darabont. Although it was a box office failure, it later was nominated for 7 Academy Awards. It stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and tell the story of a man that was convicted for the murder of his wife. The lifestyles represented in the movie were those of prison inmates. The movie shows how prison life was back in the 1940’s. Andy gets through into jail for murdering his wife and her lover. In there he discovers friendships and becomes a better man.The director uses powerful scenes and a vintage wardrobe to draw the attention of the viewers. Different viewers might understand the message of the movie in several ways. The message of the movie is a message of hope and of second chances. The message is being communicated so that it may inspire other individuals that might be going through hard times. There is a lot of spirituality in The Shawshank Redemption. Andy’s integrity is inspiring and it helps out a lot of people in the prison. The movie also speaks about keeping ones self worth intact when in hard situations. It has a lot to do with self-preservation and self-progress.

  12. Christos Nikiforou says:

    Enviroment:prisons,people:convicts,morals:none.What would anyone expect from this film based on these three things.?However this astonishing movie by Frank Darabont uncovers the true morals of people and the unfairness of life.With that being said,Andy, the main character is convicted in two consecutive life sentences in Shawshank prisons in Maine.He was convicted for a crime he did not commit therefore based on strong evidences he had to serve his sentences and he couldn’t be a better convict.He immediately showed everyone that he was a well-educated man,passionate for knowledge.This movie obviously touches everyone by appealing at the audience’s emotions.As mentioned above the movie wants the audience to feel that this world is a cruel place that everyone needs to work his own way to the top without looking back.Not all people will understand this movie the same way.Some people might see it as just an adventure of a convict trying to prove himself innocent and slowly working his way out to escape.Some other people though might view this movie as a waking-up call that you don’t have to be just right to prove yourself but you have to do whatever you can to be a winner in this world.God of course,is always present in the entire movie not just in the Bible that every prisoner has but also in the eyes of Andy.He believes that hope is the best thing and value we have and we must always hold on to it.Even though Red does not believe in hope in the very end he realizes that even if we say that hope does not exist, somewhere deep inside us there is a tiny part that is still hoping.It is a reminder that God does not forget anyone and He is even in the most abandoned places in the world.Yes, in that cruel little world,in the Shawshank prison God is the only one source of hope they can get through the Bible.Another example of God being present in the movie is that Andy can be related to God.Everything that Jesus went through before the ultimate torture(cross)and finally his redemption(rebirth) could be everything that Andy went through before his ultimate torture which was that Norton wouldn’t let him prove his innocence and finally his redemption when he escaped with his head held high.
    Yet,this movie shows how some people feel in todays world.They might be free but they are so frightened of the world that they are essentially inprisoned in their own harsh world.

  13. Greggory Bartholomew says:

    Greggory Bartholomew
    UNST101B
    January 18, 2011
    Shawshank Redemption Review
    Overall, Frank Darabont directed this film in an extraordinary manner. I could not have directed or wrote a better story to take place for that time period. And frankly, the ending was out of this world, with a feat that most Americans could not perform. I was blown away by the characters, the plot, and the emotion of the film. Not to mention, any film is entirely worth viewing if Morgan Freeman plays a main character in it. There are some hefty pieces of the film, but one technique that attracts attention would be the relation to the audience. Many people have been betrayed in their lives, many people have been framed for crimes they have not committed; so this story captures the attention of a more mature audience—about seventeen years of age and older. Others may receive a message from the film saying something along the lines of “Justice is always satisfied one way or another.” I assumed this because that particular theme is emphasized throughout the film, from when the sexual harasser is beaten for assaulting Andy, to the end where Andy escapes the prison after all his hard work and effort. However, I believe the real message being communicated is that God can give redemption to a person in the direst of situations, and whether they choose to accept it or not is up to them. I personally had a tough time getting through all the language and such in the film, and I most likely will not watch it again except for the censored television version. But there is a multitude of lessons to acquire from The Shawshank Redemption, and with such a mindset a person can further appreciate freedom upon viewing it.

    Posted at 11:08 p.m.

  14. Stephanie Beaty says:

    The shawshank redemption was created in 1994 and written and directed by Frank Darabont. The creative technique used by the author to catch the attention of the audience is the fact that the setting is the brutal, cold and unforgiving nature of the shawshank prison. This allows the audience to see what kind of things happen in prison and have an amount of sympathy for the inmates. I feel many people might identify with my view about the movie because i have heard nothing but positive things from everybody I know that has seen it and I thought it was excellent as well. Most people can appreciate this movie because in the end, Andy finally gets justice. The lifestyles included in this film are those of innocent men that must live in prison for being wrongly accused and the brutal situations they go through while carrying out their sentences. This film shows how some people misuse God’s word and how some people that claim to be believers are not very righteous people, but in fact, very hypocritical like the jail warden and staff. However, in the end, God will always carry out justice the way he did for Andy and Red.

  15. Sung Eun Lee says:

    The director of “The Shawshank Redemption” is Frank Darabont. One of the ways this film has caught my attention was the director’s selection of casts utilizing famous actors, such as, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Another creative technique was how the main character Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins, who was an intelligent man that had enough intelligence to escape prison and achieve his freedom. Some people may have viewed Warden Norton, the head of the prison, the bad person who treats Andy as his slave; however, I think Andy escaped from prison with some help of Norton because if Andy weren’t working for Norton, then escaping could’ve been more difficult for him. The purpose of this film was hope. At the end of the film Andy Dufresne says “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good things ever dies.” The lifestyle in prison is a strict place where they have a fixed routine.
    When Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins first came to prison, Ellis Boyd Redding played by Morgan Freeman judged him that he is a weak and an arrogant person. However, as days pass by, he realizes Andy is an incredibly intelligent man and they become best friends in prison which demonstrates his judgments were wrong. This shows how we do not know much about God except He is almighty, caring, loving, and etc.; however, as we read the Bible and attend church we realize who God is and what He does for us. When we do receive eternal life we will become best friends with God.

  16. Pablo Diaz says:

    The genius behind the story of The Shawshank Redemption was Frank Darabont. Featured in 1994 this film is about a man Andy who is accused and convicted of murdering his wife and her lover but he was not really guilty. Andy receives two life sentences to serve at Shawshank Prison. The film goes into detail about Andy’s life in prison and the people he encounters. Most of all it shows the changes that hope can bring in a dark dull empty place like a prison. The movie was harsh at some points but I think it was necessary so the audience could get a better picture of the prison lifestyle. Of course people could see this movie differently and agree with one of the characters in the movie by saying that hope was a dangerous thing. But I think the author wanted to drive the point home that hope may be dangerous but only because it is very powerful and when used well it can make all the difference. The lifestyles in this movie are of course of men that are criminals but I found it fascinating that most people could relate to at least one person. If was interesting that this movie did actually say a lot about God. The warden was supposedly a godly man and he gave each inmate a bible so they could find salvation. But in the end it seemed like the warden lost his interest in salvation and Andy found it. In the end, this God given hope does bring salvation.

  17. Evan Aumack says:

    Directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption incorporates friendships, hardships, hopes, and dreams. In the movie, the main protagonist, Andy Dufresne, is sent to jail because he is accused of killing his wife and her lover. During his stay in jail, he was faced with trials that ultimately showed what kind of person Andy really was. Andy learned how to live in jail and became a very prominent member in the community. The Shawkshank Redemption is a good old fashioned happy story. And although the movie had that familiar feel of a good story, it wasn’t clichéd at all, it was completely original and fresh.
    The trials that Andy faced throughout his stay in jail are similar to those found in the Bible. Bad things seem to happen to good people, and nobody is entirely sure why. But Andy stayed positive the entire time, and things eventually started working out for him. People began to be affected by him and events were set in motion by him. This is the same thing that happens when people keep Jesus in their lives. It seems that bad things start to happen, but if you stick it out til the end, you’ll see that Jesus doesn’t let you down and great things happen instead.
    Overall, The Shawshank Redemption is a powerful story. It is definitely a must-see, must-own movie.

  18. Nerlin Manalu says:

    Directed by Frank Darabont,the Shawshank Redemtion,reflects on a novella written by Stephen king.It retells a story about a banker, Andy, gets jailed for murdering his wife. From a good inmate, Andy finds hope in becoming innocent with evidence of the real man that murdered his wife. However,the warden named Norton does not allow Andy to be free. Andy finds hope and digs a hole through the wall. The movie utilizes baroque music and gloomy and dark scenery to make the movie interesting and seem realistic. Others that do not believe in God will enjoy the profanity and become hopeful in life. The movie reveals that God will provide aid to those that follow His true ways.

  19. melissa arceo says:

    Melissa Arceo
    UNST
    January 18, 2011
    John Q Review
    “I will not bury my son, my son will bury me”, a heart wrenching quote from the movie John Q. It was released in 2002, directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Denzel Washington (John) and Robert Duvall. The technique the creators used to attract the attention of the watcher is mainly suspenseful drama. During the whole movie the audience is wondering what will happen next or whether the son will make it or not, which is a very useful strategy in Hollywood movies. People will always have varying opinions and taste in terms of the message of the movie. What I think can be controversial in a way is that the scene where John Q locks the hospital and takes hostages. It may be seen as something crazy, impossible and stupid to do but in my opinion, he is doing everything that’s on his hands to save the life of his son, and it is a courageous act.
    The movie’s point of view we can see is that one of a low class family. It mainly talks about the big issue healthcare in this country is and how poor people are affected by it. The hostages represent the different clichés we normally see on this type of universal problem. Finally, this film says about our society’s view on God that people (just like Jesus with us) , will do anything that’s possible to save loved ones because we LOVE them and care for them.

  20. Nerlin Manalu says:

    Directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption, reflectson a novella written by Stephen King. It retells a story about a banker, Andy, that gets jailed for murdering his wife. From a good inmate, Andy finds hope in becoming innocent with the evidence of the real man that murdered his wife. However, the warden, named Norton, does not allow Andy to become free. Norton puts down Andy’s idea of escaping Shawshank, but Andy continues to have hope in freedom by digging a hole through a wall. The movie utilizes baroque music, such as the inspirational song by Mozart. This song brings brief hope to the prisoners of Shawshank. Also, the gloomy and dark scenes m the movie dramatic and look realistic. Those that do not believe in morality may enjoy the profanity. Being hopeful, even in harsh situations, can bring one to reach many heights. This movie reflects both Christian and Atheist beliefs. It reveals that God can bring hope to those who truly follow Him.

  21. Hiral Madhani says:

    Hiral Madhani
    Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 film directed and written by Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. I really liked this film because of its amazing and interesting storyline. It wasn’t just another regular film, but it had meaning to it. An interesting creative technique I really liked in this movie was the way they used allegory throughout the whole movie. The whole film seems like an allegory that tests one’s self worth when they are put into hard and devastating situations. There were a lot of scenes where my attention was caught, but I really liked the last scene where they both are on the beach and you get this sense of a complete and relaxed feeling. I think different people might view this message differently than me because everyone has their own opinions. To me, it seems like this movie showed a lot of situations that demonstrated that no matter where you are or how difficult things get; you can still get through it. I also see it as even in prison, people can be free. They can always be determined and motivated and show that courage. Others may see it as even in the real world, people can be confined and unfree. It all depends on how you look at life. This message is being communicated through this film because it is showing a true sense of courage and determination. It is displaying true freedom even in the hardest of times. I believe that courage, motivation, gratitude, and determination are all lifestyles and values this movie brings out. I believe this film is saying that we should never give up hope. “God sees the truth but waits” is a very good example of this movie. I believe that Andy and Red never lost hope and that is how they became free. Shawshank Redemption is a fundamental example of hope against purpose, happiness against darkness and victory of the human spirit against all odds.

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