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From Amazon.co.uk
When The Shawshank Redemption was released in 1994, some critics complained that this popular prison drama was too long 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 movie lovers count among their all-time favourites) that signalled the arrival of a promising new filmmaker.
On the DVD: The Shawshank Redemption limited-edition release contains the complete 48-minute documentary "Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature", including interviews with all the principal cast and crew; plus more interview material and the theatrical trailer. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Accountant Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to prison in the Forties for the murder of his unfaithful wife and her lover, despite protesting his innocence. He slowly comes to terms with the injustices of the corrupt prison system and quietly inspires some of his fellow prison inmates to have a more positive outlook on life. Meanwhile, the Governor of the prison discovers Dufresne's book-keeping talents and recruits him to do a spot of creative accountancy. Fellow inmate, ageing gangster 'Red' (Morgan Freeman), uses his connections to take care of Dufresne's material needs, and narrates the story of his friend's term in jail through to the late Sixties.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This review is for the Blu-ray. It's hard to say anything about this film that hasn't been said before. A gripping tale of humanity, hope and ultimately redemption in the most unlikely of circumstances. Well into my top dozen or so films- I must admit to being a sucker for happy endings! Suffice to say that if you haven't seen it then you need to. Morgan Freeman was absolutely amazing, in both his acting and his voiceover.
The Bluray comes packaged in a narrow bluray case, which doesn't bother me. In fact I could maybe be doing with more of them to save shelf space. For the record my one was sealed. Picture Quality was extremely good and certainly added to my enjoyment of the film. There was a little grain, but the picture was very clean, and if anything the grain added to the realism in many of the prison scenes. Colours were very good, with a lot of blues and dark scenes that worked very well. Watch out for a scene towards the end with Andy standing in the rain. HD definitely brought something new to what was already a great film,and definitely added to my enjoyment of it. Ratio is 1.78:1 so it fills the screen on a widescreen TV, without stretching the picture.
Sound is much more limited, in the UK version, with Dolby digital 5.1 being the top offering. I understand the US version has a True HD soundtrack, so if that is important to you then you might consider looking for an import on Amazon.
All-in-all it was a great viewing experience though, that held my family spellbound for its whole length of over two hours. Definitely 5 stars in my book.
The Bluray comes packaged in a narrow bluray case, which doesn't bother me. In fact I could maybe be doing with more of them to save shelf space. For the record my one was sealed. Picture Quality was extremely good and certainly added to my enjoyment of the film. There was a little grain, but the picture was very clean, and if anything the grain added to the realism in many of the prison scenes. Colours were very good, with a lot of blues and dark scenes that worked very well. Watch out for a scene towards the end with Andy standing in the rain. HD definitely brought something new to what was already a great film,and definitely added to my enjoyment of it. Ratio is 1.78:1 so it fills the screen on a widescreen TV, without stretching the picture.
Sound is much more limited, in the UK version, with Dolby digital 5.1 being the top offering. I understand the US version has a True HD soundtrack, so if that is important to you then you might consider looking for an import on Amazon.
All-in-all it was a great viewing experience though, that held my family spellbound for its whole length of over two hours. Definitely 5 stars in my book.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Frank Darabonts suberb prison drama adapted from a Stephen King story gets everything right. The story will keep you hooked right from the start with great moments of tension and a great twist at the end. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman both give their best preformances ever. I defy anyone not to feel good after this film.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This is easily the best of the Steven King based films, even surpassing "The Green Mile", "The Shining" and "Carrie". That alone is merit enough to buy this brilliant film. The cast is topped by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, two of the best actors of their generations. This story revolves around Andy Dufresne (Robbins) and his wrongful conviction of murder and the following ordeal behind the walls of Shawshank Prison. This is a powerful emotionally charged piece of cinematic history and well deserves a place in any video collection.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
this is one of the best films i have ever seen. it has been continuosly voted as one of the top five films ever made and is a must have film for any collector. the cast and storyline are also excellent. there aren't enough superlatives to describe this incredible film!!!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Usually i would not like the look of these sort of movies. I looked at the back of the box and thought it would be a really dull film. So i decided to just watch the first 5 minutes. First let me just say it was so amazing i just lost track of time and had to keep watching it. There was not 1 minute in that film which was boring. It is absolutly the greatest film and i think every one should watch it because it is just the best movie you could see.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I'd heard a great deal of hype about this film, so 10 years after its release, I finally caved in and watched it. I'm so glad I did. I found it difficult to watch at first because of the portrayal of the brutal conditions inside Shawshank prison. But the film then develops into a moving and inspiring portrayal of how these prisoners win little victories against the system. The ending is one of the best I've seen in any film. I warmly recommend you rent it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Manolitos
Format:DVD
This has got to be one of my hall of fame movie... The duo Tim Robbins/Morgan freeman is probably partly responsible for the quality of this movie. this is the story of a banker, Andy Dufresne, which life will be absolutely put torn apart after being accused and convicted for the murder of his wife and lover. He will be sentenced to life in jail. shawshank is the name of the prison where the very unpleasant will happen. Years after years Andy will learn to adapt to this cruel environment to become a very unusual prisoner there. red, played by Morgan Freeman is the wisdom of the prison, the brother, the father. Their relationship goes beyond the walls surrounding them and hope will grow and survive through the years. One of the best picture of this movie is when Andy plays Mozart for the prisoners with this amazing view above Shawshank. This movie has to be one of the greatest written about hope and surviving.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In my opinion, the best film you'll ever see, is The Shawshank Redemption! My only wish, is that I could watch it for the first time again! To sum it up, this movie is about hope..."hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies". The actors really help you to understand what each character is going through within Shawshank Prison, and this helps the viewer to appreciate the movie even more. An outstanding film that you will not regret viewing!! Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Upgraded version of a favourite film of mine
This is one of my favourite of all times. Wonderful acting, and so much better now in Blu-ray. I had to put up with an old video taped version. But this is superb!
Published 2 days ago by Westcountryman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic and the best film of all time?
Everyone's seen it and everyone raves about it. The timeless classic and my all time favourite watch... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Nick Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best film I've ever seen
I think this is just a wonderful film. It finds goodness and hope amongst people who the world writes off, championing courage and wit against brutality and greed. Read more
Published 10 days ago by C. Smith
1.0 out of 5 stars
IT SKIPPED A BIT!
I love this film I've seen it like 20 times on standard dvd so i thought id buy the blu-ray, WRONG CHOICE! Read more
Published 13 days ago by Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars
All time classic
Love the storyline of this film, one of my all time favourites with a happy ending, not disappointed with my purchase
Published 14 days ago by Paul R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wish
It was true!
Like the record-playing scene - or the 'outcome' to the guard that thought himself 'it'!
Seen this hundreds of times!
Like the record-playing scene - or the 'outcome' to the guard that thought himself 'it'!
Seen this hundreds of times!
Published 14 days ago by Nik Watt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best prison film
I have always had a fascination with how people cope in the prison system. some flourish, others withdraw. Read more
Published 16 days ago by papasumo
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing film
Came swiftly and in the original packaging. Amazing film (No.1 on IMDB's top films of all time!)
Cannot recommend enough!
Cannot recommend enough!
Published 17 days ago by Phil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Recommended Film. Best film ive seen a long, long time. Had to buy after i saw on Tv, cannot wait to find time to watch it again! Fab :)
Published 19 days ago by Alice1989
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunningly Brilliant
Shawshank Redemption is a brilliant and powerful film of which I stupidly didn't pick up on when I bought it the first time round And to add insult to injury I also just as... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Spirit
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