Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #584 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

profound and powerful. one of the best movies of all times...
Among my ten most favorite movies of all times. I must have seen it about five or six times, and got more and more enjoyment with each viewing. Undoubtedly, "Shawshank Redemption" is a nonpareil piece of cinema on all counts: impeccable cinematography, wonderful story-telling, brilliant casting and flawless directing.

The movie is about life, hope, freedom and friendship. Blending the masterful acting skills of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, Frank Darabont blends empathy with brutal physical and emotional violence to the best possible effects. The chemistry and bond between Robbins and Freeman is unforgettable.

I recommend everyone who has not seen this to grab it ASAP. This 3-disc edition is really amazing with superb picture and sound quality with lavish extras which are particularly well made and thoughtful, and considerably enrich the viewing experience.

***** A MUST OWN TIMELESS CLASSIC *****
What can you say about The Shawshank Redemption that hasn't already been said? It must be one of the best loved and indeed greatest films ever made. I do not know anybody that has seen this film that doesn't LOVE it. It really is that superb.
Adapted from Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, it tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), an outwardly timid man convicted of murdering his wife and her lover and jailed for life. Arriving at Shawshank prison in 1947, Andy becomes the victim of prison brutality in the early part of his stay but he also befriends another lifer, the prison "fixer" named Red (beautifully played by Morgan Freeman) and his buddies. Through his knowledge of taxation and financial transactions he also becomes popular with the prison warden and the guard that runs his brutal regime but Andy also soon realises that in prison life means life and that's what they try to take from him.

This is the most beautiful and ultimately uplifting film you could ever hope to see, whilst recognising the traditional conventions of prison drama (such as brutality and rape), it is really a film that demonstrates that the human spirit can overcome brutality with faith, friendship (and a rock hammer). This is as close to the perfect film as you will ever get. It is perfectly cast from the leads Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, who give wonderfully understated performances to the supporting cast of Clancy Brown, William Sadler, Bob Gunton and Gil Bellows. It is subtly directed by Frank Darabont who carefully manages to avoid overstatement and oversugaring the cake with sentiment and pathos.

The most amazing thing about this film is that although it was nominated for seven academy awards in 1994 it didn't win any (they were dominated by another great movie, Forrest Gump) and it is described in Leonard Matlin's film guide as "terribly overlong", "hollow and predictable". How wrong could you be? The Shawshank Redemption is a timeless all-time classic that will cast its spell over many people for a long long time to come.

Five stars are often too easily awarded by movie reviewers but this deserves six.

One Of the Best Films Of All Time.
'The Shawshank Redemption' is by far one of the most brilliant pieces of film in history. That may seem pretty ludicrous but it's pretty near truth! The screenplay is cinematic but real, and Frank Darabont's directing dares to take time telling the story, thus developing the characters onscreen, and providing an emotional bond to be established from viewer to characters. It is a truly satisfying movie that you will not regret buying. If you have already seen it (at the cinema) and are thinking of buying it on DVD, it is well worth it. The special features are excellent (don't watch them all at once though)and provide that extra bit more that an avid film fan wants. Overall, tremendous performances from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman et al. A must see piece of movie history that will NOT leave you unsatisfied.