Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #625 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-01
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Limited Edition, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 136 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review

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

Special Features

• Theatrical trailer
  
• Interviews with star cast
  
• Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature - includes interviews with Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman plus interviews with key crew members including Frank Darabont, the Producer, Production Designer and film critics

DVD Technical Information:

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  
• Audio: English, Stereo
  
• Subtitles: English for the Hard of Hearing
  
• Region Code: 2
  
• Colour
  
• Running time: 136 mins approx.

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 alleged murders of his wife and her lover in the late 1940s. Sent to Shawshank Prison to do hard time, Andy is the only one who knows he didn't commit the crimes. A taciturn banker in the outside world, he is forced to learn how 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.

Customer Reviews

Stunning Film
What can I say about this except wow. From the moment it starts and you start to hear the narration of Morgan Freeman and he leads you along in the story, and tells it so well you feel like you are a part of it.

The film is very much a message of hope, and redemption, as the title says. Even in the darkest situations hope can be our salvation and it is so true. The film is put together perfectly. The on screen acting with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins is a masterpiece. What brings the film together for me is Morgan Freemans' voice it's so powerful, in his acting on screen in the film as well as his narration.

The acting in certain parts of the film in particular Reds 3rd parole hearing it sums up total acceptance of what he's done and he can be open to them about how he truly feels without a care or worry in the world. 10/10 Acting for this scene alone, and makes the film worth buying purely for that.

The way time progresses is an essential aspect in this film and that's another excellent example you see of Andy and the Warden almost becoming partners in crime and they develop this close bond. Prison Drama? No that description doesn't give this film justice it's a pure masterpiece and if you haven't seen it I would advise buy a copy now you won't be disappointed. Even after many viewings I still find it to be the best film I have ever seen.

The special features really make this DVD package that extra something special. Great interviews with the cast, along with pictures, and information on the film, makes this whole set very worth while purchase. 5 stars are not enough for it. If you want to own something special then definitely buy this set.

Passionate prison drama
Tim Robbins (War of the worlds) stars as Andy, a man who is sentenced to life in Shawshank prison after the murder of his wife and her lover.

In this adaptation of Stephen King's novel, director Darabont delivers a touching tale about one man's quest to live and to survive in one of the toughest prison's in the country, with great acting, a wonderful plot, and a few other little tweaks to make a beautiful crime drama.

Nominated for 7 Oscars including Best Picture, Shawshank is a true touching crime drama, built around Andy Dufresne, who's approach to life in prison, his attitude towards life and the care for his inmates, makes him the most caring guy in prison you will ever see, which is helped along by a stunning performance by Robbins. He is the symbol of hope, the guy of light and talent to aspire to.

The ideology of hope is issued throughout the 2 hour film, and will leave you feeling inspired come the end.

Robbins is helped along by Oscar nominated Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar baby) who plays Red, the man who can get things. Red to, is a symbol of hope and light out of the darkness of the cruel surroundings, and his narration really gets an idea of what life in Shawshank is really like.

Red's tale is very sharp, and very dramatic, giving a thoughtful approach to prison life. The settings of the prison are very drab, a very dull place to serve your life sentence. The ruling of the place is equally as dramatic as the settings with cruel beatings, a place called the hole and fellow criminals to make life a misery. These approaches to running the prison is also controversial, a shocking portrayal of the system but justifies the genre exceptionally well.

Having never read the novel, this film has inspired me to take an interest in Stephen King's novels, as did Misery and The Shining, but being a fan of drama rather than horror, makes this top of my list.

Not the best of King's films I have to say, with The Shining and Misery true film greats, but the touching tale of one man and his punishment makes Shawshank Redemption a remarkable stunning watch.

8/10

Get busy watching...
The Shawshank Redemption is a warming tale of the human spirit, friendship and justice. Like so many great films this has been adapted from a Stephen king novel.

The official category is of a prison drama but in my opinion this sells the film short. The prison only provides the backdrop for the heart warming story of humanity that unfolds. The story could be set anywhere. The escape from prison could be a metaphor for any situation which requires courage and strength to escape from, and the friendship and positivity between the two lead characters could build under other circumstances.

Like so many other reviewers I find this film hard to criticise. The narration by Morgan Freeman nudges the story along beautifully, the casting is perfect and the film is paced perfectly and devoid of the usual Hollywood clichés. This film shows just what can be achieved with great acting and a fine script instead of over the top CGI stunts and predictable plot lines. A typical example of this is the final scene in the film. The camera pulls way without cheesy dialogue or over acting, the images say it all.

I have yet to meet anybody who genuinely dislikes it and with good reason, it's a classic.