Amazon.co.uk Review
When The Shawshank Redemption was released in 1994, some critics complained that this popular prison drama was too long (142 minutes) to sustain its plot. Those complaints miss the point, because the passage of time is crucial to this story about patience, the squeaky wheels of justice and the growth of a life-long friendship. Only when the film reaches its final, emotionally satisfying scene do you fully understand why writer-director Frank Darabont (adapting a novella by Stephen King) allows the story to unfold at its necessary pace.
Tim Robbins plays a banker named Andy who is sent to Shawshank Prison on a murder charge, but as he gets to know a life-term prisoner named Red (Morgan Freeman), we soon realise his claims of innocence are credible. We also realise that Andy's calm, quiet exterior hides a great reserve of patience and fortitude, and Red comes to admire this mild-mannered man who first struck him as weak and unfit for prison life. So it is that The Shawshank Redemption builds considerable impact as a prison drama that defies the conventions of the genre (violence, brutality, riots) to illustrate its theme of faith, friendship and survival. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Actor and Screenplay, it's a remarkable film (which many movie lovers count among their all-time favourites) that signalled the arrival of a promising new filmmaker. --Jeff Shannon
Special Features
Disc 1
Feature presentation - Scene selection
Commentary - Frank Darabont
Audio Description Track
English HoH subtitles
New Theatrical Trailer
Biographies
Memorable Quotes
Disc 2
Hope Springs Eternal- A look back at Shawshank Redemption
Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature
The Charlie Rose Show: Frank Darabont, Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman
Shawshank Stills Gallery
Behind the Scenes Shawshank Storyboards
Disc 3
Tim Robbins Interview
Morgan Freeman Interview
Bob Gunton Interview
William Sadler Interview
Clancey Brown Interview
On location footage
Original Theatrical Trailer
Synopsis
In writer-director Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover in the late 1940s. However, only Andy knows that he didn't commit the crimes. Sent to Shawshank Prison to do hard time, Andy--a taciturn banker in the outside world--has to learn to get by in the brutal, cut-throat confines of a maximum security prison. His quiet strength slowly earns the respect of his fellow inmates--most notably, Red (Morgan Freeman)--and even much of the prison staff. But Andy's seemingly stoic acceptance of his unjust imprisonment hides a fierce determination for freedom. This beautifully crafted movie features touching and sincere performances from the entire cast, with an uplifting message about humanity's indomitable spirit and the redemptive value of hope. Based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King, Darabont's intriguing adaptation is easily one of the finest films of the 1990s.
Product Description
Consistently voted as film critics top movie of the 1990's, this fantastic gift set includes the Shawshank Redemption DVD film, two special edition extra DVDs featuring documentary and cast interviews together with a book of the entire film script. A gripping tale of humanity, hope and ultimately redemption in the most unlikely of circumstances sees stunning performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freedman in a moving story of prison life on the inside and the true meaning of liberty. The perfect gift for all ages.
Please note, price and description is for Shawshank Redemption Collectors DVD box set
