THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Blu-ray (Castlerock, 1994) Warner Home Video

It remains one of those Hollywood ironies no one considered director, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption worthy of any distinction, much less an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 1994. Even today, the movie – while undoubtedly having achieved its cult status – rarely to miss appearing on 100 best lists, was nevertheless, in 1994, entirely overlooked by more than a handful of those self-same cultural mandarins, falling all over themselves in praise of the high-octane thrills in Speed, Tom Hanks’ Oscar-worthy performance in Forrest Gump, and Tarantino’s break-out/blood-soaked opus magnum, Pulp Fiction. So, where was all the ink to write in praise of Shawshank. Even more disheartening, where was the audience, who stayed away at the box office? After all, what could be so compelling about 2-hours behind the walls of a prison? Arguably, the public’s natural aversion to stories about prison life, coupled with a year’s worth of more easily digestible film fluff, conspired to deprive The Shawshank Redemption of its rightful place as an exquisitely evolved drama, focused on the humanity of prisoners and the inhumanities perpetuated upon them even after their debts to society were paid in full. A huge box office disappointment, barely earning $16 million domestically on a $25 million budget, Shawshank ought to have quietly faded into the milieu of all those film failures, ranked as ‘turkeys.’ Except for one thing. Those to rediscover it later were to become almost immediately enthralled by its riveting story, recommending the picture to friends and family, causing interest and dividends to spike on home video. Earning seven Academy Award nominations – and not a single win, today, The Shawshank Redemption is widely regarded as a truly stirring masterpiece and rightfully so.  

Based on a short story, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Steven King, the foreshortened The Shawshank Redemption is a quality affair from top to bottom; its screenplay, also by Darabont, and, superb acting from all concerned, though most notably, Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, creates an atmosphere as centrically focused on the cliché about ‘honor among thieves’, as it wills its extraordinary bond of ever-lasting friendship between men who value basic human decency above their own lives. The picture teems with indelible images, supplied by cinematographer extraordinaire, Roger Deakin, while its one of a kind ‘lump-in-your-throat’ score by Thomas Newman reveals a depth of passion for these characters, otherwise unattainable through dialogue or situations. Our story (set in Maine but actually shot in Mansfield, Ohio) concerns Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) a banker wrongfully accused of killing his philandering wife and her lover. For this crime of passion, Andy is sentenced to life behind the walls of Shawshank Prison. One problem: Andy is not guilty of this crime. Regrettably, he quickly learns innocence alone cannot shield him from the harsh realities of prison life. Inside Shawshank, Andy is severely beaten and repeatedly raped by 'the sisters': a group of gay inmates, fronted by the sadistic, Bogs Diamond (Mark Rolston). He is also generally abused by the guards who relish exercising their authority over the inmates in an attempt to break their spirits. But Andy is not quite so easily defeated. He remains stoic and silent.

After befriending fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd (Morgan Freeman - originally described in the novel as a red-headed Irishman) Andy strikes a pact with Boyd to be reunited on the outside when Ellis comes up for parole. Although Ellis believes Andy is sincere in this regard, he also doubts either of them will ever see the light of day beyond these prison walls. The system is corrupt. Warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton) is a crook, exercising his own moral contempt over the inmates, determined at any and all costs to keep the men he oversees from ever making their parole. Those who are released, like Brooks Hatlen (James Whitmore) have been systematically destroyed in spirit by the system. Hence, they are entirely lost in the nightmarish free world after their societal rehabilitation. In Brooks' case, his menial suffrage at a minimum wage job inside a grocery store finally convinces him to end his own life - living up to the inmate's motto of either 'get busy living, or get busy dying.' Amidst all this hopelessness, Andy keeps hope alive on the inside. His quest to better all the inmates’ lives results in a curious détente. A banker by trade, Andy offers expert financial advice to Norton and his guards, offering to manage their accounts and do their taxes, all the while quietly cooking their books to expose each of them for their tax evasion to the FBI.

However, when a new inmate, Tommy (Gil Bellows) arrives at Shawshank, he reveals to Ellis and the others that Andy is indeed innocent of the crime of murder that sent him to prison. Learning of Andy’s innocence from Tommy – but fearful of losing his most complicit tax cheat – the warden has Tommy assassinated in the prison courtyard on the eve he is set to be paroled, having already promised to go to the police with the truth that might otherwise exonerate Andy for good. Tommy’s death seals Andy’s fate. He will forever remain at Shawshank. Unfortunately for the warden, Andy has developed another passion in prison – for his own freedom. Using popular pin-up posters to conceal the tunnel he is digging under the cover of night, Andy escapes Shawshank without a trace one dark and stormy night. Or has he? Andy has left clever clues and enough money for Ellis to find him upon his parole. At first, Ellis seems unwilling to even try, fearful he will be returned to Shawshank for parole violations. But after he retraces Brooks footsteps, Ellis deciding to make his own break for the coast. Unlike Brooks, Ellis has decided to 'get busy living.' The final moments are dedicated to a most poignant narration, as Ellis quietly ruminates in his desire to be reunited with Andy on a sandy beach somewhere in Mexico – free from the tyranny and oppression of their former lives. “For the second time in my life, I’m guilty of committing a crime,” Ellis admits, “I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is a blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope…”

Perfect movies come along so rarely, that when one does, it gets overlooked in a sea of fluff left to blow in the wind. But The Shawshank Redemption has endured. I cannot think of a finer moment in recent times – and for all time - than this heartfelt finale - so rich in the camaraderie of genuine friendship, it leaves me utterly tearful every time. Magnificent storytelling, superb performances, and one of the most heart-tugging scores by Thomas Newman - just perfect.  As is transparently obvious, I find it more than a little difficult to be objective. I loved (and continue to love) this movie - as peerless as movies can get. Of course, the continued mystery and tragedy here is how audiences quietly allowed this one to slip between the cracks of their ‘must see’ offerings in 1994, instead, left to fade quietly into the night. Thankfully, this artistic exile did not occur.  Yes! – there is a movie God after all, certainly to continue smiling down from on high whenever The Shawshank Redemption gets played. We doff our caps rarely on this blog, because movies come and movies go, and so few are worthy of repeat viewing, except to reinvigorate our own sense of nostalgia for the moment when we first laid eyes on them. But The Shawshank Redemption is not about reliving ‘the moment’ – rather, living ‘in the moment’. “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s for damn sure!” …indeed.

Warner Home Video’s Blu-ray is – in a word – gorgeous. Colors are bold and fully-saturated. Fine details are evident and down to a finite precision. Contrast is ‘bang on’ perfect. Edge effects that were tragically baked into the previously issued DVD release have been completely eradicated here. The image is smooth, sports a modicum of grain looking indigenous to its source and yields some fabulously textured nuances. The audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital but delivers a very robust sonic experience - probably not as full or as rich as a DTS remastering. But we will take it for now. Extras include a magnificently-produced BBC retrospective documentary, as well as a ‘making of’ featurette, original theatrical trailer and audio commentaries. Bottom line: The Shawshank Redemption is exquisite entertainment. Need you ask? Very – VERY - highly recommended.

FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)

5+

VIDEO/AUDIO

5+

EXTRAS

3