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• The Shawshank Redemption is an American prison drama film directed by Frank Darabont based on a Stephen King novella.

  A Shawshank Redemption parody video called Shawshank Redemption-a-Lot was released in January 2009. The video, which uses footage from the actual film, has Tim Robbins' character, Andy Dufresne, finding and playing a record of Sir Mix-a-Lot's popular song "Baby Got Back" over the prison loud speakers.Kontaband: Shawshank Redemption-a-Lot

• Fast Facts

  1. Director: Frank Darabont
  2. Producer: Niki Marvin
  3. Based on novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
  4. Screenplay: Frank Darabont
  5. Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton
  6. Runtime: 142 min.
  7. Released: September 23, 1994
  8. Distributor: Columbia Pictures
  9. Budget: 25 million USD
  10. Gross: 23.3 million USD

• Plot Info

  Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank Prison in Maine for allegedly murdering his wife and her lover. Once there, he acquaints himself with fellow inmate Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman)--who tells the story through his point-of-view-- and his circle of friends.

  A banker, Dufresne's skills get him on rather good terms with the Shawshank staff, including the crooked warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). While helping Norton with the finances, he realizes that the prison is in fact corrupted. This knowledge hurts Dufresne in the long run, however, when even after discovering substantial proof that he did not commit the murders, Norton refuses to release him.

  As Dufresne watches other hopeless prisoners grow dependent on the Shawshank walls for protection from the world beyond them, he plots an escape, challenging Red to maintain some sort of desire to make parole. Dufresne establishes a new identity using the money Norton squandered, and escapes in the hope that Red can join him as well.

• Critical Reception

  Though The Shawshank Redemption did not gross much at the box office upon its release, word of mouth and positive critical reviews led to very successful VHS/DVD sales and rentals.

  It has an 88% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is considered by many public polls as one of the greatest films ever made. While some critics found problems with the long runtime and extensive narrative, Peter Travers from Rolling Stone praised the "no-bull performances," and Roger Ebert admired the film's ability to "grow on you" with repeated viewings.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Tim Robbins | Morgan Freeman | Frank Darabont | Stephen King | Mark Rolston | Clancy Brown | James Whitmore

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