Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17315 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-09-20
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 3
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• 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 (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.

Customer Reviews

a brilliant movie
Very difficult to say anything which has not already been said about this film. In my view one of the very best ever made and fully deserves five stars.

A stunning film!
This is a truly great film, it really involves the viewer and tells a great story about an unjustly convicted man and his struggles in jail. It's got a lot of very moving moments and has a very human story at the centre.

I'd recommend this to anyone as a must see film, and it has enough in it to make it worth watching several times. An excellent film.

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.