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The Shawshank Redemption

R Released Sep 1, 1994 2h 22m Drama List
89% Tomatometer 141 Reviews 98% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years.
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The Shawshank Redemption

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Critics Consensus

Steeped in old-fashioned storytelling and given evergreen humanity by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, The Shawshank Redemption chronicles the hardship of incarceration patiently enough to come by its uplift honestly.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Romney Guardian If this is a feel-good movie -- and by the end it certainly is -- then at least it challenges us to dig deep for those good feelings when everything inside those mausoleum walls is unrelievedly harsh and grey. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel The Shawshank Redemption is both resigned and inspirational, grittily realistic and vaguely surreal, matter-of-fact and operatic. Somehow, these opposites are combined into a remarkably smooth and lyrical composition. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Adam Mars-Jones Independent (UK) The sad thing is that The Shawshank Redemption, a so-so film, would have made a terrific little movie. A pacier project would have given us less time to notice sentimentalities. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Dan Buffa Ramble On With Buffa (Substack) Darabont cut right to the heart of a flock of human birds trapped in a giant cage, under the watch of a corrupt warden and terrifyingly sinister guard. It was serious, certain, and made you laugh. Freeman's legend has never shined brighter. Rated: A+ May 7, 2024 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant Next to Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption ranks as the strongest, purest film ever made from a novel or novella by Stephen King, a monster film where the horrors are frighteningly human. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Yardena Arar Los Angeles Daily News It's Robbins and Freeman who carry the film, working around the most predictable moments with simple understatement. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie. Nothing better than watching this classic film on the big screen. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are at their best. The music of Thomas Newman is remarkable in the theater. An amazing movie experience! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/21/24 Full Review Jonathan L One of the greatest movies of all time it was tremendous to see it on the big screen as it was meant to be seen, as an electric roller coaster ride. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/21/24 Full Review Audience Member Eu vi faz tempo já, mas é muito triste, esse aqui é muitos sentimentos, muita emoção, esse aí eu acho que chorei, mas eu sou macho ainda,😡. Brooks was here. Wow konomoul Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review Braydon C I love this movie there is not a doubt in my mind that this is one of if not the best movies of all time Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/24 Full Review Madie R I can't believe it took me 20 years to see this movie. So glad I finally took the opportunity to "get busy living". What a brilliant film. Then again it's Stephen King story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/05/24 Full Review Faiz D One of the most amazing films I've ever seen. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Shawshank Redemption

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Movie Info

Synopsis Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years.
Director
Frank Darabont
Producer
Niki Marvin
Screenwriter
Frank Darabont
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating
R (Prison Violence|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 1, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.3M
Runtime
2h 22m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby A, Stereo, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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