The above quote is said by the warden of Shawshank prison (Bob Gunton). This man views himself as god since he has the ability to control every aspect of their life, and claims to have designs on their immortal souls as well. When new prisoners are brought to Shawshank he tells them the only rule is no blaspheming, he won't accept that in his prison, although pretty much everything else is acceptable. While the Warden may think he's Christ, we (and everyone else available) see him as a devil, or more appropriately the antagonist...but back to the story.
Andy (Robbins) is convicted for murdering his wife and the man she was having an affair with. Andy is sent to Shawshank prison where he enters a new world. He eventually teams up with a man named Red (Freeman): " a man who knows how to get things" and the "only guilty man in Shawshank". Together the two men try their best to survive their prison terms with a shred of dignity/humanity. Andy also befriends the prison librarian Brooks (James Whitmore) who has been in prison for many years and is raising a crow he calls Jake. Other noteworthy inmates are Heywood (William Sadler): one of Red's friends who isn't too bright (doing the library inventory he finds "The Count of Monte Crisco" [Cristo] by Alexandree Dumb-ass [Dumas]), Tommy (Gil Bellows): a young convict who Andy takes under his wing, and Bogs (Mark Rolston): the leader of the Sisters. Keeping the inmates in check are the Warden (mentioned above) who doesn't allow prisoners to take the Lord's name in vain, and his right hand man Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) the strict but corrupt head of the guards. The camera angles (sometimes subtle) and the score are also worthwhile...wow!! (we watched this in one of my film classes) And according to Roger Ebert, it is a Great Film (he has two books called The Great Films)
This is an excellent film...not always the easiest to watch but definitely worthwhile! Also, it's adapted from a short story by Stephen King called "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and King was involved in the adaptation process. I've never read the short story, but according to the screenplay they ended up changing a good chunk of the story to make it more watchable.
Dude, it's quotable: not all the quotes are repeatable (especially with small children around) but the film has its funny moments, its sad moments, and sometimes its just disgusting
Rent it multiple times: this is a powerful film but not necessarily one you NEED to own, but I would suggest seeing it a few times before making up your mind. The first time through it's intense...but then you know the twists and turns of the plot and are able to see how each twist is set up (I would explain my favorite one, but it would give away the ending so I can't...but you really have to pay attention to the things they are saying and how those events play out...literally) which is the ultimate payoff. It is the type of film you want to see every-so-often because it is so memorable and well done, but it isn't the happiest film (it is more uplifting than you would think) and parts do drag a bit...but bear with it (or skip those parts) and it will be worth it!!
Andy (Robbins) is convicted for murdering his wife and the man she was having an affair with. Andy is sent to Shawshank prison where he enters a new world. He eventually teams up with a man named Red (Freeman): " a man who knows how to get things" and the "only guilty man in Shawshank". Together the two men try their best to survive their prison terms with a shred of dignity/humanity. Andy also befriends the prison librarian Brooks (James Whitmore) who has been in prison for many years and is raising a crow he calls Jake. Other noteworthy inmates are Heywood (William Sadler): one of Red's friends who isn't too bright (doing the library inventory he finds "The Count of Monte Crisco" [Cristo] by Alexandree Dumb-ass [Dumas]), Tommy (Gil Bellows): a young convict who Andy takes under his wing, and Bogs (Mark Rolston): the leader of the Sisters. Keeping the inmates in check are the Warden (mentioned above) who doesn't allow prisoners to take the Lord's name in vain, and his right hand man Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) the strict but corrupt head of the guards. The camera angles (sometimes subtle) and the score are also worthwhile...wow!! (we watched this in one of my film classes) And according to Roger Ebert, it is a Great Film (he has two books called The Great Films)
This is an excellent film...not always the easiest to watch but definitely worthwhile! Also, it's adapted from a short story by Stephen King called "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and King was involved in the adaptation process. I've never read the short story, but according to the screenplay they ended up changing a good chunk of the story to make it more watchable.
Dude, it's quotable: not all the quotes are repeatable (especially with small children around) but the film has its funny moments, its sad moments, and sometimes its just disgusting
Rent it multiple times: this is a powerful film but not necessarily one you NEED to own, but I would suggest seeing it a few times before making up your mind. The first time through it's intense...but then you know the twists and turns of the plot and are able to see how each twist is set up (I would explain my favorite one, but it would give away the ending so I can't...but you really have to pay attention to the things they are saying and how those events play out...literally) which is the ultimate payoff. It is the type of film you want to see every-so-often because it is so memorable and well done, but it isn't the happiest film (it is more uplifting than you would think) and parts do drag a bit...but bear with it (or skip those parts) and it will be worth it!!
Rating: R for language and prison violence
Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Tim Robbins as Andy
Morgan Freeman as Red
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