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S: The Shawshank Redemption #AToZChallenge


Movie Name: The Shawshank Redemption
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Director: Frank Darabont
Year Of Release: 1994

What it is about:


In 1947 Portland, Maine, banker Andy Dufresne is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences at the Shawshank State Penitentiary. He is befriended by contraband smuggler, Ellis "Red" Redding, an inmate serving a life sentence. Red is the man who can get things done in prison and soon he becomes close to Andy. Andy asks Red to procure small things for him, that includes a rock hammer and a poster of Rita Hayworth. A couple of years later, when Andy overhears the captain of the guards, Byron Hadley, complaining about being taxed on an inheritance, and offers to help him shelter the money legally. Soon, Andy finds himself doing the taxes for all the prison guards as well as the warden, Samuel Norton. Norton assigns him to the prison library to assist an elderly inmate Brooks. Andy's new job is a pretext for him to begin managing financial matters for the prison employees.

On the side, Andy begins developing the prison library and helps other convicts study and give their exams. After spending 18 years in prison, Andy gets to know that a new inmate, Tommy claims that an inmate at another prison claimed responsibility for the murders for which Andy was convicted. Andy approaches Norton with this information, but he doesn't believe him. When Tommy is killed soon after, Andy has no choice but to spend the rest of his life in prison. Will he? Will he give up on hope and succumb to his surroundings?

What I loved about it:

Based on Stephen's King's novella, 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption', this movie is one of the best movies I've seen in my entire life. Tim Robbins is brilliant as Andy and he is the epitome of hope in this one. As someone who is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison, he still holds on to hope that someday he will be free. Morgan Freeman is the only one who could have done justice to being Red. He supports Andy, but is still unaware of all his plans. This movie is a story of friendship, survival and most importantly hope.

Like Andy says,

"Remember Red, Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies".


Andy's escape from Shawshank shows what man can do if he sets his mind to do it. It took him 19 years, but he never gave up. All thanks to a rock hammer and a large poster.

The climax reuniting the two friends on a beach, is a celebration of hope. While one believed it all along, the other is now a fresh believer.


Watch this movie to learn a lot about life, friendship, survival and hope. You will not learn what this movie teaches you from any book or anywhere else on the net.

Runners-up: The Shape Of Water (English), The Social Network (English).

This post is a part of the A To Z Challenge for April, where my theme for this year is Movies I Love.

Comments

  1. I LOVE it! Have seen it so many times. So many life lessons there.

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  2. I loved this film the very first time I saw it, and when I wanted to see it the second time, it had disappeared from Netflix!!! Crazy people! But, it was one superb film, wasn't it? I also saw another film, an older one, with a similar storyline, and I think it had Clint Eastwood -- can't remember the name. Do you know which movie it might be? It looked like Shawshank Redemption was a modern version of that film.
    Anyway, this film is also one of my fav as it has Morgan Freeman -- one of the most gifted actors from Hollywood. Wasn't he super cool in Bruce Almighty? He made God in a tuxedo seem so believable! :D

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    1. For me Morgan Freeman IS God! :D

      I haven't watched many movies with Clint Eastwood in it. Don't recall what you may be talking about. If you find out, do let me know. I'd love to watch it.

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  3. This is one movie I have been meaning to watch for way to long. Time to get my act together and take the plunge. :)
    I hopped across here just to see what movie I should watch this Sunday eve. Your reviews are just incredible Soumya. And your selection is par excellence. Thank you. <3

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    1. Oh Natasha, do watch this one first! This book is a life lesson in itself!

      I'm glad your liking my choices, thank you <3

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  4. Stephen King's Different Seasons is one of my all-time favorites. Amazing stories, each one of them. I loved the Apt Pupil. So chilling. Shawshank Redemption was not just a fabulous story but a great movie too--the dialog is so iconic! Great feature, Soumya!

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    1. This is the only story I have read from Different Seasons. I need to get to the others soon.

      Thanks, Hottie! <3

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  5. Oh I love this movie to death and have it on DVD which I pop in and watch now and again. I loved the bravery and courage in this movie to hope to be free.

    S is for The Indian Sherlock Holmes #atozchallenge

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    1. I have it on my system too and watch it as often as I can. I can never get bored of this.

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  6. This reminded me of the Orange is the New Black series which I loved.
    I must check this one, sounds really interesting!

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    1. You haven't watched this? Do yourself a favor and watch this ASAP, please :)

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  7. Totally agree with you on this. One of the best movies I have watched till date!!

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  8. Nice review, this is one of my favourite movies too.

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