#1: The Shawshank Redemption

In Summary

According to the IMDb, there has been no better film ever made than The Shawshank Redemption.

Try and think of one better film than The Shawshank Redemption?

See, impossible.

The story of The Shawshank Redemption is of Andy DuFresne's time in Shawshank prison following his conviction for double murder. Through which, we learn about what the true impact of life in prison is.

The key theme of the film is of institutionalisation. Much of the film is focused on life in prison, but it is the moments on the outside that provide the film's biggest insights. A prison isn't just a set of four walls, it is a mindset. Strict routine and strict discipline may be tough to endure, but the more you get used to it, the harder it is to cope without it.

The Shawshank Redemption humanises prisoners. Not only is it the guards, rather than the prisoners, that are the chief antagonists, but the vast majority of the prisoners don't seem to have a bad bone in their bodies. By humanising the prisoners, it sends the message that maybe the audience is not so different from them.

With the wrong luck, we could find ourselves in prison, robbed of our freedom, considered as disposable member of society. Would we hold onto our humanity? Would we fight back against it? Or would we allow ourselves to slowly subsume our identity into the system?

What is uplifting about The Shawshank Redemption is that it tells us that it is possible to come through this experience and remain a human being on the other side, we just have to hold onto something to hope for. Andy DuFresne is an inspirational, almost Christ-like, figure in this regard, not only capable of holding strong but dignified enough to help pull his fellow inmates through the morass.

A Memorable Quote

I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

Things You May Not Know

• The film is based on a Stephen King story set in a prison, much like The Green Mile, which is also in the IMDb top 100.
• The role of Red, played by Morgan Freeman, was intended to be a middle-aged Irish man but the director, Frank Darabont, was intent on casting Freeman. This is referenced in the film when Andy DuFresne asks Red about his nickname, the response 'maybe it's because I'm Irish'.
• The Shawshank Redemption is considered a box office failure, becoming a cult success after its release onto home video.

One of the Greatest of All Time?

The Shawshank Redemption is hard not to like. An uplifting story about the endurance of the human spirit, carried along by excellent performances from Tim Robbins as Andy DuFresne, Morgan Freeman as Red and the rest of the cast. An easy watch, there isn't a single moment where the film's two hour and twenty minute running time drags.

What could have been a fairly by-the-numbers prison movie is uplifted by Freeman's wise and all-knowing voiceover. Freeman is a gentle boat captain leading the audience through choppy waters.

If there is a criticism to be had of the film, it's that it is never really challenged who the good and bad guys in the film are - despite the good guys being convicted criminals. By focusing so much on humanising prisoners, the redemption part of The Shawshank Redemption was never in doubt.