The Shawshank Redemption

Page history last edited by Natalie Cowie 3 years, 9 months ago

"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free."

In Term Two we will be studying the film "The Shawshank Redemption" directed by Frank Darabont.

Key Concepts

Hope, freedom, redemption, fear, friendship, suffering, punishment, imprisonment

The Shawshank Redemption Cast and Crew:

Tim Robbins- (Andy Dufresne)

Morgan Freeman - (Ellis Boy "Red" Redding)

Bob Gunton - (Warden Samuel Norton)

Bill Sadler - (Heywood)

Clancy Brown - (Capt. Byron Hadley)

James Whitmore - (Brooks Hatlen)

Gil Bellows - (Tommy Williams)

Mark Rolston - (Bogs Diamond)

Summary

In 1949, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is ordered to serve two life sentences in Shawshank Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. Inside, Andy is subjected to vicious attacks from the brutal guards and his fellow in-mates. Slowly, he begins to make a few friends, most importantly with 'Red' (Morgan Freeman) who had also been convicted of murder and is Shawshank's resident black market dealer. During his time in prison, Andy's previous experience as a banker earns him favour with the guards and the warden as he begins to launder money for them all. In return, Andy is permitted special privileges which include working in the warden's office and building a library for the rest of the prison. Eventually, after serving seventeen years of his sentence, Andy's innocence is proven. However, by this time, the warden uncovers a series of events which leaves Shawshank sinking in scandal and Andy Dufresne nowhere to be found.

Background

The Shawshank Redemption was made in 1994 by first-time writer and director Frank Darabont. It was based on Stephen King's 1982 novella called Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and the film went on to be nominated for seven Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture. It failed to win any of them but has grown in popularity since its release, holding a place in the Internet Movie Database's list of top ten films of all time for the last five years.

Frank Darabont has since written, directed and produced The Green Mile (1999) - another prison drama based on Stephen King' work - which starred Tom Hanks.

201 Student's Workpages

Student Example Essays

Example Essays

Close Viewing

Close Viewing Opening Scene

The Shawshank Redemption prison setting.ppt