Eduardo Herrera

Kean University

Professor Brian Oakes

Shawshank Redemption

Produced by Frank Darabont, Shawshank Redemption is a movie an adaptation of the book, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, written by Stephen King The story is about Andy who is framed for the murder of his wife, and sent to prison where he befriends Red.  Throughout this movie Andy is constantly facing off with people who range from a gang of prison rapist, the guards, and the corrupt warden who exploits Andy’s banking knowledge for his own gain. The movie got many nominations for Oscars including best leading actor, which got Tim Robbins (Andy) and Morgan Freeman (Red) nominated.  The movie flopped at first when it was released in theaters but soon after its release on home media, it because a hit. It is frequently making the top 100 list of must see movies and greatest movies of all time. The movie has many conflicts, despise being a prison film this movie touches many subjects that ordinary people could relate. It touches upon the feeling of hopelessness when Brooks is feeling down and chooses to end his own life despise being free from jail.  It also talks about hope, such as Andy; laundering money from the warden despise him being treated horribly. The movie has a great ending theme on the good vs. evil. Andy has stated pure throughout his whole time in prison, and the warden has given him a rough time, near the end Andy takes his opportunity to escape from prison. The warden falls and Andy prevails. There is also a symbolic theme also, when Andy is crawling through a sewer pipe that is filled with human waste, Andy when through so much for him not to come out prevailing at the end.  Darabont is constantly giving us different angels to view the characters. When Andy is sent to jail, the camera shown rising above giving us a whole look at the prison, when Andy is free the movie also gives us an upward angel. The movie majestically captures the story of Andy, a man who is framed for the murder of his wife, but never loses hope in prison, waiting for his moment to escape.