The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

[baumer]

Get busy livin, or get busy dying.  That's god-damned right.

[Dark Jedi Master 007]

How can this feel generic and overdone when there has never been a film like this before.  This is 20 years old.

It's not even close to being the first film to use the "prison/hospital/mental ward as a symbol for life." I don't think that hurts the film, but I could see why some do find it to be generic.

[baumer]

Of course those themes have been done before but not exactly like this

[chasmmi]

I don't think there are any votes in this part of the forum more wrong and inaccurate than 6 of the votes cast in this thread.

[John Marston]

terrific film with some terrific acting and great score as well/

[John Marston]

this was a great movie....

 

 

 

until I read the book and found out Red was in prison because he murdered his wife and her friend in a premeditated murder, and Brooks killed his wife and daughter in a rage. All bit of sympathy for them went out the window. I mean damn. I just assumed they were in for petty crimes and somehow got harsh sentences or something like manslaughter. Not premeditated murder. Damn I don't recommend reading the book after watching the movie. 

[Dementeleus]

I thought the movie made it clear Shawkshank wasn't a prison for petty crimes. They were in there for big stuff.

[Mulder]

I personally wouldn't use the book to judge the film, but that's just me.

[cozmeesah]

Red even says he is in for murder and calls it a terrible crime. You don't stay that long in a place like that for petty crimes. Maximum sentences for manslaughter can't be that long.

[baumer]

People can be reformed.  

[Kalo]

one of the best films I've ever seen in my life A+

[John Marston]

People can be reformed.  

 

 

even if they murdered someone in cold blood? What if they did that to someone in your family? 

[baumer]

even if they murdered someone in cold blood? What if they did that to someone in your family? 

 

People that spend 50 years in prison can be reformed.  I didn't say I'd forgive them.

[Kalo]

People that spend 50 years in prison can be reformed.  I didn't say I'd forgive them.

if they truly changed I would. I mean obviously there is nothing worse than murder. but anger and hate can drive a person to do horrible things. usually it takes quite a hardening to be able to go through with something like that. but if someone was truly sorry and paid their time. they have a right to be given a second chance at life. of some kind at least. my brother-in-law was hit by a car from a drunk driver. not sure i can see I forgave him exactly, but I don't hold bitterness inside, it will not bring him back.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Kalo

[Films]

A+

Amazing film with amazing performances

[baumer]

Bob Gunton was such a good prick in this film, Clancy Brown too.  Add those to the other terrific performances.

[75Live]

Always liked Clancy Brown early on from Bad Boys, Highlander, etc and he is still great

[baumer]

Clancy has been one of my faves since Extreme Prejudice.

[John Marston]

I thought the movie made it clear Shawkshank wasn't a prison for petty crimes. They were in there for big stuff.

 

 

actually wasn't the Tommy guy in there just for stealing? So looks like they just threw many criminals together

 

 

 

this is one improvement over the book. They don't mention their crimes so you can just assume that Andy's group of friends might have been treated harshly in sentencing or something. Imagine how different the Brooks scene would be if people knew he had been in prison for murdering his wife and daughters. Most of the audience would have been "good riddance to bad rubbish" 

[DAR]

Red was a young stupid kid that committed that terrible crime. But he wanted to talk some sense to him. But all there is now is this old man