Why The Shawshank Redemption is a significant film
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- čas přidán 20. 09. 2019
- 25 years ago, it was a box office disappointment. Later, it slowly gained momentum through word of mouth. Today, it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time. Here’s everything you need to know about the film The Shawshank Redemption.
Produced and written by Matt Beat. All images and video used under fair use guidelines.
Music credits: • Theme from The Shawsha... Tom Walley www.tomwalley.co.uk/
Photo credits (Creative Commons):
Siebbi
Kingkongphoto
Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones
SSobachek
Nicolas Henderson
Sources/further reading:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sha...
www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/...
www.npr.org/2011/08/04/138986...
www.dailydot.com/via/shawshan...
www.npr.org/2019/08/16/751861...
www.wkyc.com/article/entertai...
Frank Darabont approaches Stephen King and asks him if he can turn his novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, into a full-length feature film. Although King was a bit confused about how Darabont could actually turn his story into a movie, he approved it anyway. King had worked with Darabont before and trusted him, after all. Darabont bought the rights to the story for $5,000. But King never cashed the check. He later framed the check and returned it to Darabont with a note that read: “In case you ever need bail money. Love, Steve.”
Darabont poured everything into writing the screenplay, and eventually the screenplay took a life on its own, greatly expanding King’s original story.
“It was the best script I’ve ever read. Ever.” That quote was from Tim Robbins, the actor Castle Rock Entertainment would eventually cast as the main character of the film. Castle Rock produced the film when producer Liz Glotzer threatened to quit if they didn’t take it on.
As it turns out, Castle Rock loved the script, too. Director Rob Reiner, who also happened to be the co-founder of Castle Rock, loved the script so much he offered Darabont up to $3 million to let him direct it himself. Reiner also said they’d finance any other film Darabont wanted to make. Darabont turned down the offer, wanting to direct the film himself. Castle Rock gave him a $25 million budget, and he began pre-production in January 1993, with Niki Marvin as the lead producer. As I said earlier, Tim Robbins took the role of the main character, Andy. However, that was after Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks, and Tom Cruise all turned down the role. Robbins talked Darabont into hiring Roger Deakins with him, a well known cinematographer who had worked with him in The Hudsucker Proxy.
To prepare for the role, Robbins spoke with various prisoners and guards, had his arms and legs shackled for a few hours, and even spent some time in solitary confinement. The producers cast Morgan Freeman as “Red,” even though his character in the novella was white and Irish.
Filming took place in the summer of 1993 at the Ohio State Reformatory, a historic prison which had closed three years prior. Darabont tended to be a perfectionist on set, requiring multiple takes for even the most simple scenes. Actors regularly worked up to 18-hour days. Darabont filmed most interior shots in the actual prison, not elsewhere.
When Castle Rock test screened The Shawshank Redemption, early audiences absolutely loved it, and critics praised it. Expectations were high when the film opened in theaters on September 23, 1994. However, it ended up being a flop, losing money at the box office and only making $16 million after 10 weeks in theaters. Part of the problem was the name of the film. People had a hard time even saying it. Another problem was that it was competing with a bunch of big films like Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump. However, film critics kept pouring in the love, and eventually it was nominated for seven Oscars. After getting recognized at the Academy Awards, Castle Rock re-released the film in theaters so it could try to break even. It was still a disappointment.
But The Shawshank Redemption had a...um...redemption of sorts through an old medium called VHS. It became one of the most-rented films of 1995. And since the cable network TNT could regularly show the film at a very low cost, it showed it all the time. After Warner Brothers got the rights to the film, it expanded it into regular programming on even more cable networks. By 2013, the film had been on 15 cable channels. Because of this, word of mouth spread like wildfire. It became a cult hit, and eventually the film made $58.3 million worldwide. Redemption indeed.
Where were you when you first watched this film?
What film should I make a documentary about next?
I first saw it at a LAN party of all places, probably early 2000. It was the early days of DivX, and I found it in someones shared folder of pirated movies. It was late at night and slow at the LAN, and I had never even heard of the movie before. I mainly put it on to have a look at the video quality. I was used to getting bootlegs on VCD before, so DivX in almost DVD quality on the computer was kind of cool. I first shrugged it off as being some slow boring prison movie, but I kept watching. After the ending I was completely blown away. I couldn't understand why not everyone was talking about this movie! How could I have missed it!? It is probably one of my favorite movies of all time.
2001:A Space Odyssey
The help movie
Please do one on Wayne’s World, it’s one of my favourite movies of all time
Can you do a brief history of Motorhead?
One of the best movies of all time.
If you haven't seen it and somehow don't know how it ends, do yourself a favor and go watch it.
I knew the ending the first time I watched it and I still was absolutely amazed at it. All around flawless
I remember watching the news the morning after the Oscars, and hearing all the talk about some movie called The Shawshank Redemption. I'd never even heard of it. But, when I saw it on VHS, I was like, _"This... this has to be the _*_greatest movie_*_ I've ever seen!"_ And guess what? It still is! ♥️
That's how I first watched it, also. On good ol' VHS!
Can confirm we had this on video. Still one of my favourite films of all time.
It holds up pretty well. I watched it right before I made this.
It was on TV last night here in New Zealand. That put it on when they know there is no point screening new stuff. So while TVNZ1 was screening the Allblacks vs South Africa in the first pool B game of the Rugby world cup in Japan, TVNZ2 showed Shawshank.
I kid you not, I have seen this film numerous times and when it comes to the end scene, I always cry....always. It is a scene that is so full of hope and inspiration. It really tugs on the old heart strings for sure. The whole movie is like that honestly. "Get busy living or get busy dying....damn right!"
The ending such as mentioning the “The Shawshank Trail,” really resonates with your original videos actually, such as on history and geography!
For first two times I started watching this movie and left unseen after 10 to 15 mins, and then finally at third time I watched this whole movie and I was like, "why on earth I left this masterpiece unseen at first two times 😐, this movie is soooo damn good..'
I watched this at 15 on a date with a girl I had the biggest crush on. The name threw me but it was the most nervous, wonderful movie watching experience of my life. I’ve probably seen it a dozen times since then. It will always be my favorite movie.
I've never watched this movie. I was more than happy to see Mr. Beat talk about it though!
Holy crap! YOU MUST WATCH IT TONIGHT. :)
Patrick, you now have a homework assignment. 😁
(Seriously, watch the movie!)
I do not know you from Adam, but I absolutely insist you watch it immediately. It's straight up remarkable, moving, inspirational and emotional from beginning to end. You'll thank me, I promise.
great flick - fathom events is doing a 25 anniversary screening this month
I love what you said, "I wish I could see it again for the first time". O, that feeling...so beautiful. I cried like a baby the first time I saw it :)
Didnt know Hanks was considered for the role but it makes sense. Its hard to imagine the movie with anyone different but Hanks would have been a good fit as well. Tim Robbins really owned the role. I cant think of a more perfect film.
Yeah Robbins was perfect for it.
He actually wanted to take the role but turned it down to focus on Forrest Gump, which is partially why he's the star of The Green Mile
I noticed during Reds three parole hearings that they became more polite with each one, symbolising the more progressive times. 1947: Sit, 1957: Sit Down, 1967: Please Sit Down and there was a woman on that particular board.
Reds grocery store boss was a lot nicer than Brooks’ was and when Red walked out of Shawshank the camera pointed outwards towards freedom whereas Brooks’ pointed inwards symbolizing his inability to adapt.
Thanks to my friends who suggested me this movie!
It was almost 7yrs ago and everyday they would ask me whether I watched it or not.
I cannot describe the kind of emotion the film evoked within me the first I finished it.
Also the scoring is among the finest of all time.
The music is enough to make me want to cry ❤❤
I don't know how I missed seeing these videos you've made on films! I I'm really enjoying them. Thanks for these videos! Good job🎉
Also one of the best film scores :)
Indeed!
I was on holiday with my family in Victoria, Australia. And the crappy motel where we were staying had a small bootleg DVD collection for any patrons to use. And I managed to convince my family to watch it. And when we popped it into the Toshiba DVD player, it didn’t even have a menu, just straight into the movie. Still the best movie experience I have ever had
It's interesting that it got off to such a sluggish start since it truly is one of the better films ever produced.
I loved this movie. You laughed cry and then felt good excellent
You deserve more subs - great content, thank you!
This Channel is underrated
Great content! I need to rewatch this... now!
Thank you. That was very informative. A definite cathartic experience for many.
That movie is a Masterpiece ❤️
Brooks breaks my heart EVERY single time.
this is my absolute favorite film. A story of hope.
Great piece on a masterpiece!
The opening scene was filmed in the Wyandot County courthouse in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. (Upper Sandusky is about an hour and half south of Sandusky, Ohio btw, so nobody go there expecting Cedar Point 😂)
I first watched Shawshank after visiting the Mansfield reformatory since I live only an hour away from it. It was cool seeing the movie after going and being able to say “hey, I’ve been there!”
I visited Mansfield twice. The first time I took a day trip and visited some of the filming sites after a trip to Detroit.
The second time I attended the 25th Anniversary reunion. I got to meet the Warden (and congratulate his good guy role in 24), Boggs the Bully (and celebrate his go-to-bad-guy role in 24) and even Darabont himself. When speaking to Darabont I said the beer scene invoked to me not the Last Supper but Luke 22:27 (it's better to serve than be served). Darabont said he appreciated what I said to him and that it meant a lot!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing that. That was really cool that Darabont showed up for the 25th anniversary celebration.
@@mattbeatgoeson Yeah thanks. I also met Tommy the student, both ill-fated lovers, the bank teller, Fat Ass, and Jigger who pleaded with Brooks to calm the f*** down. Jigger even joked that he was going to report me to the police because of my incriminating t-shirt which read "I didn't do it. My lawyer messed up." 😄
Probably my favorite movie
What makes this movie so great is that after knowing the full story from the first viewing, the second viewing it's even better.
A delicious walk through one of my favorite Stephen King novels brought to life through film.
Are you a Stephen King Constant Reader, Mr. Beat?
One of my personal favorites is The Girl That Loved Tom Gordon.
I feel it would make an excellent movie and hold hope that some bright mind with think the same and produce a production-worthy screenplay. Thanks for another great interpretation.
Stephen King is my favorite fiction writer. My favorite book of his is probably Misery.
@@mattbeatgoeson Good one and brought to life in film with the talent of Kathy Bates and James Caan (and, maybe a topic for The Beat Goes On?). I have encountered many people who are surprised by the fact that The Shawskank Redemption, The Green Mile, Stand By Me and other movies not typically considered Horror movies are based on Stephen King books. How do you feel about the the Dark Tower series?
My favorite movie
7:35. The reason for this is angry Batman fans. When the Dark Knight came out in theaters in like 2008 the Godfather was the highest rated movie on IMDB, Shawshank was number 2, but a ton of Batman fans all went and with bias rated the Dark Knight a 10, forcing its jump to, at that time, to the number one spot in the IMDB's list, making Godfather now second on the Top Movies List and Shawshank to third. Then in retaliation a ton of angry Godfather fan boys started to flood the Dark Knights rating with low scores, which then pushed the Dark Knight down the list to second, now behind the Godfather. Then in another move of petty retaliation, Batman fans started flooding the Godfather's reviews with low scores, but the funniest thing in all of this was that both fan bases went to go highly rate Shawshank in hopes of negatively the other fan base, but it back fired for both fan bases, because all that rating for Shawshank propelled it to the top spot and it has still maintained its top spot 13 years now. All of this pettiness led to Shawshank being number one. I remember, I was active on IMDB message boards at that time
Fascinating!
Great movie, the short story is worth a read too.
Great cast, great story, great cinematography, what's not to like?
Very few movies surpass the book. This is one of them.
Of all of Andy's pinups, Rita Hayworth was the best.
I agree.
Hey, Mr. Beat. You should definitely do a documentary of the 1993 film, Jurassic Park!
I judge people on whether or not they like this movie.
Thank you for inspiring me to watch it lol
This is one of the great examples where the film is actually better than the book. The changes made it a far better story.
I agree!
I was at the prison in Thomaston, Me as a visitor in 1992.
You should review Labrynth
I love this movie
I watch every night this movie sometimes in one day 2 times
Love the shank
Can you make a video about The Beach Boys?????
Do a review of the "Green Book" Please 🥺
This is the only movie other than Goodfellas that I will stop and watch while channel surfing
Can you do btw of star wars
Though major spoilers spared, still TMI!
I remember my first night. Seems like a long time ago.
I recall reading somewhere that Frank Darabont was the first Hollywwod director to succeed at bringing Stephen King's books to screen without the "Prize bull reduced to Bouillon cubes" effect. I kept running into parts of "Shawshank" via TNT broadcasts, and got curious enough to buy the DVD. "Brooks was here. So was Red. Get Busy Living or Bet Busy Dying."
I'm not the usual film buff; I've hung out at "History Buffs," and some "gun channels." (Not that much of a comedy fan either, since "Come And See," "Purple Sunset," and "Poison Berry In My Brain" were notable CZcams discoveries.) A notable comedy? "Mrs. Doubtfire."
A song for "Andy Dufresne": czcams.com/video/5-fcvnYDEJ0/video.html
Even a song for "Warden Norton": czcams.com/video/JDNd81-QQHs/video.html
best film.
I don’t just love this movie. I adore this movie.
Calling Pulp Fiction "a bigger film" is an anachronism. Is a bigger film now almost 30 years later, but Pulp Fiction was basically an indie film by the time of its release. Budget was 8.5M dollars, Tarantino convinced people based on his previous work in Reservoir Dogs and the support of Miramax and none other that Harvey Weinstein.
There are more details than that but "bigger film" is definitely a misnomer for Pulp Fiction considering the time of its release.
Onhan noita esim.
Ok
I have not seen it. It looks like one that can raise your bp. Maybe I better not watch.
Please do!
Watching it for the first time definitely was a religious experience. I was 15, in england (im mainland european) in a host family, watching it on tv with the host dad. Not many films i can recall the day i watched it, where and with whom. Shawshank is definitely culturally significant and needs to be seen by everyone.
Can you make a video about The Beach Boys?????
Can you make a video about The Beach Boys?????