Past Feedbacks
(Here are just some of the past feedbacks from fans all
over the net!)
Name: Frank Darabont (Director of The Shawshank Redemption)
Location: Los Angeles, CA Date: September 18, 1999
Comments: Great website, clearly a labor of love, done with sincerity and passion. Some spelling errors aside, a pleasure to read. Congratulations and thanks to the gentleman responsible. (By the way, it was Nick Rupp at the other Shawshank site that suggested I check you out.) As for all the comments in the guestbook from the fans, all I can say is bless you all for taking the film so much to heart and letting it touch you as it did. I do hope you'll like THE GREEN MILE as well, which is due out in theaters just before Christmas. As for the long-delayed, much-lamented SHAWSHANK DVD, the last I heard from Warner Brothers is that we're still scheduled for an October release. Not too long now, unless they think of some other reason to screw up the schedule. Thanks again and keep the faith.
Name: Darryl
Comments: Thanks for including the script on your website. Shawshank also holds a great meaning for me. It was my son's favorite movie, and I can easily understand why. All his life, my son struggled with illness and the discomfort it brings. He never complained, however, making me feel a bit embarrassed whenever I tended to whine about minor problems. There were a couple of times during his teen years when we thought we'd lose him, but he'd fight back. He never appreciated anyone's pity. He hated to be doted upon. And yet, he was the kindest, most compassionate person I've ever known. All of the kids at the hospital were attracted to him, because he wasn't only nice, he was so brave (no doubt the result of knowing every doctor, nurse, and candy-striper after years of going in and out of the hospital). The parents of these children loved him for the way he made their kids feel more comfortable in their surroundings. He was a great looking kid, and he made friends very easily. He was always the informal leader of his group of friends (for better or worse), and it seems that he would always be attached to one girl or another. He had a great smile, and was aware of his ability to charm the socks off anyone. He used this gift unscrupulously.
My son died earlier this year, of complications relating to medication that had been prescribed to him. He was 27 years old. On Christmas day, in his memory, I will be watching his favorite film, and be inspired by it as I know he was inspired. There is one passage in there that I thought was so appropriate to his life. It comes toward the end of the movie, when Red is assessing his relationship with Andy. "Sometimes it makes me sad, though, Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are just too bright, and when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them does rejoice. But still, the place you live is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
Name: Norio Yamanaka
Location: Japan
It is very happy to be here. It is just amezing for me. In apring time of 1996 I saw "shawshank redenption" at first. At that time my life was so unkind to me. Speccially my own publisher's economy situattion getting bad. I thougt there was no way what I shall do. But since I met Andy Dufren, I became strong. "It ' s always comes to two chices .get bussy living or get bussy daying" When I faced hard time, I had always said over and over in my mind. My bussiness is still hard ,anyway.But it much better than when I met Andy and Red. I think I saw the film over 100 times. I bought th video,the book, cd, poster,poet book of Robert Frost. But I am very soory the film in big screen.
But here in this home page , I could read many stories of making the film. I am happy.
Norio Yamanaka
Name: Jason Travers Location: New York, NY Comments: When I first saw Shawshank, I was going through a terrible period in my life: I had dropped out of college, quit my job, and spent my days drinking, eating, and sleeping. In a month, I had gained about 75 pounds and was becoming more depressed by the second. Suicide seemed to be the only way out. Then I saw this masterpiece. The movie has great quotes, but the two that pulled me out of the darkness were these: "Get busy living, or get busy dying. That's goddamn right," and "Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things." God, I cried when I heard those words because somehow, though it was a movie, I believed them as if they had been uttered by friends. It was like a message of hope, a simple yet undeniable revelation: like Red and Andy, I was in charge of my future. I could be brave and fight the problems I was facing, or I could chicken out and end it all. The movie changed everything. And whenever I need to remind myself why life is so priceless, I see it again. There will never be another experience like it. And one more thing: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, and Frank Darabont rule!
Name: Jason Belgrave
I had to send you this message after I read your web page. First of all we must be the same age because the first time I saw the Shawshank Redemption I was a sophomore as well. Our stories are so much the same that I had to share my experience...
I remember my roomates and I picking up the movie one evening in late February just because it was available and sounded like it had could be okay. As the evening went on, we all just forgot about the movie as we got busy doing other things. We ended up going out and we got in late. Everyone went right to bed and I followed suit. It was strange though... I just COULD NOT sleep! I tossed and turned and finally around 4am I got up realizing that I wasn't going to sleep and that I had to find something to do. I started to pace around the house until I noticed the movie sitting on the kitchen counter- still in the videostore bag! I remember thinking that it couldn't hurt and that it would help me fall asleep... I only anticipated watching about 10 minutes anyway- at that time I'd be ready for bed... Well... the rest is history. You can relate to the initial effect it had on me. As I started to get deeper into the film and took more of it in, I realized my life was about to change... I was witnessing the greatest cinematic event in history. I was absolutely captivated for the remainder of the film... I was taken on an epic journey that absorbed me completely. I was oblivious to how down, stressed, or tired I should have been- it was magical. The final scene is arguably the greatest thing I have ever witnessed. Everytime I watch that scene, or as I talk of it know, my skin stands on end and I feel my stomach turn upside down. The entire experience... the story, the characters, the feelings... how do you explain it? You know I run into people every now and again who will agree that it's a great movie... some even will agree that it's the best they've seen, but I don't know if I've ever encountered anyone who experienced what I did.
I am an avid movie watcher and I usually analyze every film I see... I look for hidden meanings and symbolism. However, the ironic thing about the Shawshank Redemption for me is how so very simple it really is. It is just a story... nothing hidden, nothing abstract. It's just a wonderful tale of truth and friendship.
Thank you for your great web site. It's so gratifying to see someone else who shares the magic of the film. Oh... and one more thing: you are exactly right when you say there will NEVER be another movie as good as this one... I think we both know that it's impossible!
Thanks again,
Jason Belgrave
Name: erin wilson
Hello,
Let me first say that I never respond to Web Page email addresses. But when I read your feelings about this movie and the first time you saw it I was moved to send you a response.
I too was in college and watched this movie for the first time as a rental and not in the theatre. And now after 5 years it is still my favorite movie and like you said...I don't think anything will ever compare to it.
One night I was searching the internet on information about The Shawshank Redemption. And I found your site. You have done a fantastic job designing it. And somewhat like the movie it's a place you can go back to time and time again and find something new to read or see or hear.
Thank you for the time you put into this web site.
Erin
Name: Becks
Comments: Reading you intro, about how you remember watching the movie for the first time, how stunned you were... I just wanted to let you know how thrilled I was to learn that there are others out there who think of this movie in the same way I do. I remember the first time I saw it... my brother had just moved out of the house and I was moving into his room. My best friend came over to help me move my things, and that night she stayed over and we rented The Shawshank redemption for the first time. She fell asleep (something I can only put down to extreme exhaustion, but I don't think even that could keep me from this movie!), but as the film went on towards it's stunning ending I remember thinking that movies couldn't be this good. That something would happen, that it would have a rubbish ending... how wrong could I be! Since then I have got almost everyone I know to watch this movie, as well as a few complete strangers I got talking to in a music shop! Every time I see it it just gets better, and the ending makes me cry more and more. Some friends of mine think it should have ended with Red opening the box under the rock and finding Andy's gun in there, meaning he was innocent but punishing himself, and no matter how many times I try and explain that it makes no sense (yes, at first he was punishing himself, but he always protested his innocence... why break out when the evidence is there??) they won't listen. Oh well. I can honestly say the film changed my life. I have always wanted to be a writer, but Shawshank gave me the inspiration and courage to do it, and I am writing my first novel right now. I have never been able to understand how it didn't get the recognition it deserves. Forrest gump won the oscars becouse it made more money and Pulp Fiction got all the fashionable acclaim because of the risque content. But I was overjoyed the other day to discover that it's popularity is so huge it is 3rd in the IMDB poll for greatest movie ever, behind The Godfather and American Beauty, and with tens of thousands more votes than either of them! I realise this message system you set up was probably for comments about the site etc, which, by the way, is wonderful, and I'm sorry to ramble as much as I have. I just got carried away with the knowledge that other people feel as strongly aboutthis movie as I do. There isno other movie that comes close, and I doubt there ever will be. Becks
Name: Phil Comments: I usually don't ever reply to feedback messages on web sites, but I just had to tell you that you have done a tremendous job on this website! I just watched the film two nights ago - - would you believe that two nights ago was in July 2000? Yes, that's right, six years after the original release! Before that night, I knew nothing about the movie except the name. I didn't even know that Stephen King was involved. Anyway, the movie affected me enough that I had to check it out on the web. I'm amazed at how much information you have here - - it truly shows your passion for this movie. I'm in awe of the analysis section and found myself glued to the screen reading about scenes 1-50 - - I must stop and read about the remaining scenes at home - - at work is no place to start! Again, I commend you for your tremendous insight into this great film. I will be spending much time at this sight to take in everything you have - - and in the meantime I will be watching the movie again and again with new anticipation now that you have provided me with wonderful insight and a behind-the-scenes look. Thank you!
Name: Michelle Location: Chicago Comments: I usually don't write feedbacks to websites, but after seeing this site and reading all the other fan's comments, I had to. When I was 15 and a sophomore in highschool, 3 friends and I were among the few people who went to see Shawshank Redemption when it first came to theatres. I was completely blown away by this amazing movie. Shawshank is one of the few movies that I like better than the book, and that says a lot. I never knew there were other people out there that are as passionate about this movie as I am. I stumbled across this site trying to find a place to buy a poster from Shawshank. Know of any sites? P.S. The Did You Know section is great!
Name: Tanner Fnk Location: Overland park,Kansas Comments: i would just like to take this oppurtunity to express my feelings for the best film er made. my grandmother once said youll experience only one or two things in your life that will change you forever. i know for a fact this film is one of those moments. i will never froget the first time i saw this film.never. i remember it as one of the best days of my life. never had i cared so muc about two characters and the story of a film. i watched the first two hours of that film saying to myself," i will never see anythng better then this in my whole life." then i watched the last twenty minutes of the film. i never knew lfe could be so beautiful! i will never be able to express in word the ending of the film. there is no a day that goes by where i havent once thought about the ending or the film. it has forever changed me in the greatest way possible. it has tought me the greatest things in lfe are still down the road and life is indeed...oh so beautiful. the last paragraph of morgan freeman's narrationin the fim has inspired me greatly to always smile and look at beauty around you...because its everywhere! i could talk forever and a day about this miracle of a film, because thats exactly what it is. i always lov watching this movi with people who have never seen it, its like experiencing my first time all over again! its funny.. i never knew that what my grandmother was talking about would someday bethis flm, i thank god this film came into my life, because i know i would be a much different person without it. thank you shawshank redemption!
Name: Sabre Stopped by your site today...very nice., enjoyed it very much. Thought I'd share with you my story of Shawshank and the frist time i saw it. About 6 months ago, I broke my arm and suddenly found myself with a lot of time on my hands, as the accident kept me off of work. One day I went into the video shop and looked around for something a little diffrenet than usual. I decided to rent 2 movies that day . As I took them up to the counter I was informed, rent 2 rent 1 free. So I looked around for a whileand I'm sure I passed up the Shawshank Redemtion many times previous because the name of the movie just didn't appeal to me. Feeling in a rush, I grabbed it off the shelves an headed home. That night I watched the other 2 movies back to back. I think they were An American President and Armageddon. they were ok I suppose but can't say they really held my interest too much. Anyway the next morning I awoke and after doing some errands I came home and settled down to watch this movie that at the time I must be honest didn't really excite me at all. As I sat through the first half hour and became accustomed to the main characters, time seemed to fly by...I was entranced by the way this film developed. I truly started beleiving I was watching a masterpeice here. Few films capture emotion and intrique like this film did. And then the topper was the ending ...the prison break, where everything was explained in full but simple detail and like you said , the chills started up my spine. Now I'm not one of those people who watches the same movie over and over again, but this film I have have seem maybe 5 times now. It gives me hope that in every video store I go into there is a hidden gem somewhere in amongst the older titles. I learned not to judge a film by its title and after seeing Forest Gump can't understand how this film lost to it as Best Picture Hope you find my story refreshing and bring you back memoreis of your first time watching the film. All for now and remember, Salvation lies within!
Name: Bulent Vural Location: Istanbul / Turkey Comments: Thanks.Great thanks.At last I found lots of feelings that similar to mine.I watched it first time last year and I watched it again and again.Now I trying to find it's DVD or like something else.I can say it's the best movie I've ever seen.but it's poor to say..Because I saw here that everyone said this who watched the movie at least one. I couldn't count how many times "my life changed" , "best I ever seen" , .. .. in this page.. I think it's might be other than only a movie.It's a "way of life" really.(thanks Adam for you remembered this term to me).Unfortunately there is so much things to say but my English is not enough and lots of my feelings weren't able to said.But anyway you are the great man or women , author of this page .(So I just haven't seen other pages, I just don't know your name , I couldn't wait to write somethings).. Thank you. Thank you for these all..
Name: Trevor Lizee Location: Dana Point, CA Comments: I have to say this is one of the most inspiring sites ive ever been to. This movie moves me in so many ways. This site has everything you can want about this Movie. I am going to put a link on my web page to this site. This will be the first of my GREATEST SITES. I love Shawshank Redemption and your site is the best ive been to. Thanks, Trevor PS. I just read what some people have writen and It just gave me the chills. This is very heart warming. Im glad to see other people feel the same as I do. Feel free to Email me
Name: Lena Location: Pelham, AL Comments: Wow! I just wanted to say that you have a really awsome sight. Frank Darabont is one of my favorite directors and I've never found that many pictures of him in action like you have. The Shawshank Redemption is one of my all time favorite movies. One of my favorite scenes is actually the ending where Red and Andy meet up again, the whole movie is just awsome though.
Name: Iraida Briceno
Location: Caracas, Venezuela
Comments: Thank you for all the info on your page. I will try to locate the author-s book, here in Caracas. The movie has details that touch any heart that knows the value of true friendship, something that is hard to find these days! Mr. Freeman and Mr Robbins are superb, and the supporting cast is accurate enough for me, in their reflection of diverse feelings inside the prison walls. The music is beautiful, so well placed to what goes on, in synthesis, a grand movie.
Name: Stephanie Heine
Location: The Netherlands
Comments: HI,I love The Movie It my favourite movie that is because dthe actors are great the music is very beautiful, and the story is just so good I have to see the movie once or twice a week.If I don't see it I feel miserable,It just gives me hope that:there always will be a way out nomader were you are. Thank you for reading my email
I LOVE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Please send me information about the actors and the movie
lots of love Stephanie
Name: Sarah Renshaw
Location: Atlanta
Comments: I just wanted to thank you for putting this site up and including the screenplay. I am in photo school and required to bring my favorite quotes to one of my classes. The one where Red is talking about a caged bird is one of my favorite quotes.when found out I had to do this for my class ,this was the first one I thought of, I just couldn't find where I had put my copy. Thank you for helping me find it. This was one of those movies I had no intrest in seeing and after I saw it, I was grabbing for tissue thinking to myself,"what a great movie!!!" ok, thank you.
Name: Matthew B. Lewis
Location: Dallas, TX
Comments: Love the movie, love the site. It's intriguing to see what scenes had been changed and/or cut from a terrifically written script. In addition, the 'Did You Know?' section was a great read.
In fact, I would like to contribute something. After watching the movie for about the 57th time, I noticed something I never had before. In Scene 258, as Norton is opening Andy's bible, the bookmark (marking where the rock hammer was kept) is set to the title page of the book of Exodus. Exodus is, of course, the story of Moses helping the Jews find the courage to leave Egypt. This can easily be correlated to Andy (Moses) helping Red (the Jews) find the courage to speak the truth in his Parole hearing that results in his release (from his proverbial 'Egypt'). Maybe I'm stretching this a bit, but I find it rather poetic.
Anyway, you have constructed a fine site, worthy of being associated with (in my opinion) the best movie ever filmed.
Name: Clive J. Williamson
Location: Nottingham, England
Comments: I can remember the first time I saw this film. A friend had come from Southampton, and ever time we meet up we go to the Cinema. It's was my turn to pick a film, I had heard my old girlfriend telling my about a short story she had read sometime ago, called Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, so I said lets give that a look. Half way through you could hear a pin drop in the cimema, everyone was spellbounded. People say "They don't make films like they used to" but look at this film and you think, it's the " It's a Wonderful Life " for our generation.
Thank you for your wonderful web site.
Oh, one more thing, Morgan Freeman and Tim Robins no Oscars, whats that about.
your
CJ.Williamson
Name: kate crawford
Comments: tonight i had the pleasure of watching the movie the Shawshank Redemption for the first time. I will have to say that this is one of the best movies i have ever seen. It touched me in so mandy ways that it would take me days to explain. i was sitting on my bed running through the channels and saw that it was the beginning of it on tnt. i said why not watch this. you've never seen it and you have nothing better to do. Little did i know that i was about to have a totally different outlook on life in about three hours. i really feel i have learned a valuable lesson from this movie. i would tell you what it is but i believe that is something that people should find out on they're own by watching this movie. If anyone gets to read this email, that had anything to do with this movie, i want to thank you. i can now say that i have a favorite movie of all time. sincerely,kate crawford, university of mississippi
Name: Lisa
Comments: When I read your opening sentiment I knew that I was going to enjoy this page. I had no idea what treasures I was going to find. Like so many people, this movie is my absolute (absolute) favorite. I have been to dozens and dozens of Shawshank sights, but this is by far the best. Thank you so much for all of the information that you have collected. It was an amazing thrill :) Lisa
Name: Marcus Mitchell
Comments: Hi! Just wanted to say that I loved your site. This has been my favorite movie for quite some time now. I love the soundtrack and the script. To me, this is one of those movies that all men should see because it tells a story about friendship. This is only my opinion but I feel that its the kind of story we don't see often with men being close to one another without you thinking something is going on with them. Red and Andy showed this. True Friends. This is a movie I will always remember and tell others about. And yes! I did shed a tear at the end. Thank You, Marcus
Name: Max Rocketanski
Just checked out your Shawshank Redemption website, impressive! I too, was very moved the first time I saw the movie. I didn't see it until April, 95, long after seeing Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction (which were very good movies themselves), and a few weeks after the Oscars. As good as the other movies were, Shawshank should've won best picture hands down (best director too)
I couldn't stop thinking about the movie the night I saw it, and for days afterward. I'm also interested in screenwriting, and what made the movie so incredible is that there are no unnecessary scenes, it all fits together perfectly (don't remember if it won for best editing, but if not, should've).
It was interesting reading Darabont's notes in SR, The Shooting Script, about the scenes that were cut, never filmed. I couldn't imagine any of those scenes that were cut, being added to make it better. This was one movie where everything turned out as well as it possible could, and that is so rare in Hollywood these days. And that ending is so awesome, it *did* bring tears to my eyes. I can't imagine an ending to another movie ever being better than that one.
Once again, great website, keep up the good work.
Max
Name: caglar
Comments: Hello, I only stared at your site, but you prepeared perfectly, you thought about every thing exactly and put what ever someone can find about this movie. As you know the film is perfect, and I think you are sharing this with your site. I wanted to thank you by being a fan of this film.
Yours...
Name: Jardel Vieira
Hello
I just was passing from Internet and see your website for a movie that in my opinion it's the great movie of this last decades...The Shawshank Redemption..... And I have to tell you that i'm had the same feeling of your that when i watched for the first time this movie.....I have a poster of the movie right in my dinner room and evry now and then i catch myself looking to the poster: "Fear can hold you prisoner Hope can set you free"
Jardel
Name: Crystal Miller
Comments: I just wanted to thank you for making a site about "The Shawshank Redemption". I have been to other "Shawshank" sites and this is the best one by far. In my opinion, this is the best film ever made and I am so glad to find others who feel the same way I do. I've recently purchased the video and you don't want to know how many times I've watched it since recieving it. I think I have just about the entire film memorized. I just wanted to let you know that you have a wonderful site about an amazing movie.. Thank you.
Name: brad monnerjahn
Comments: i am such a fan of this movie. i totally agree that is nothing short of the greatest movie ever made. i love it! it is the only movie that i can watch repeatedly. i have been known to watch the entire movie intently two or three times in a day. i thoroughly enjoyed this site, and i learned a lot about the movie- things that i never knew. sincerely, brad monnerjahn
Name: anne
Comments: Writting this from Mansfield Ohio glad to know there are other people out there who know an excellent movie when they see one.I would love the movie even if I was not married to Laundry Bob Would like to hear from you and to know what part of the country you are from.
Name: Amanda
Comments: Thanks sooo much for your awesome website. I first saw Tim Robbins in the comedy, 'Nothing to Lose' and basically fell in love with him at first sight. Then one night, my parents were settling down in front of the tv to watch some movie called 'The Shawshank Redemption.' I figured it was some totally depressing movie like 'Schindler's List,' but I had nothing better to do than watch, so I plunked down on the couch. Little did I know, the ultimate hollywood hottie would be playing the main character. Another thing I didn't know was that it would be the most meaningfull and touching movie I'd ever see. Since I saw the movie about a month ago, I read "Different Seasons" and have visited sevral Tim Robbins/Shawshank web sites. I am even considering enlisting a brainy friend to help me create a Tim or Shawshank website. Anyway, I really love your site, but I have one question I REALLY hope you can answer: Can I download the soundtrack from this website, and if so, how in the world do I do it? I absolutley loved track 9, 'Suds on the Roof.' It was really beautiful. Well, since I'm only 15, and I live "under my parents rules," I have to go, but, seriously, keep up the great work.
P.S. I'm glad your site was mentioned in the article from the Wall Street Journal, you deserve a lot of credit for what is obviously a lot of hard work. It really shows that you put a bunch of blood, sweat, and tears into this. Again, keep doing the updates and stuff, and good luck!!!
Name: Lee
Comments: What a great page, like you I agree that this has got to be the best movie I have ever seen and it will always be the best movie out. I only watched it a couple of weeks ago on video, I hadn't even heard of it before, but thank god I did watch it because it is great. A really good page you've got here, loads of info and pictures. All I need now is the DVD player to watch the movie on, I cant wait to see all the extra scenes etc.
Many thanks for a good page.
Lee.
Name: Rex Oates
Comments: Watching a movie over and over, to me is like listening to the same song, over and over. If I really like it, I'll hear something new, each time I watch it. At the end of most movies, I usually think about how I would've liked to have seen the movie end differently. For example,"Saving Private Ryan", I thought should've shown Pvt Ryan, returning home to his grieving mother, and show the 3 gold stars, and one black, signifying the loss of his three brothers. Just an example, and I could give others, but I know nothing about making movies, only enjoying them. "The Shawshank Redemption", is truly a masterpiece! I can't t think of one way it could be benefited by a change, and I agree, the closing scene is "goosebump" material. I have a friend in IN, and if I can do it, I'm going to try to go to Mansfield,OH and tour the place where this great movie was filmed. It would be really neat. Much neater than my trip to the Southfork Ranch! (hehe). Thanks for the great website!
Name: Tessa Mitchell
Comments: You did such a fabulous job on this site with the information you provide. I have yet to buy the movie, even though it is one of my favorite all-time films! Anyway, the reason I mention this is because for the longest time, I've been trying to write the scene down in which "Red" or Morgan talks about how some birds aren't meant to be caged...it's one of my favorite quotes. And finally, thanks to your site, I can put my mind to rest! I love that quote, and thank you for having it from the script!
Name: Courtney Penachio
Comments: Shawshank is without the slightest doubt, my favorite movie of all time. I can watch it over and over and never tire of it, I practically now all the lines, and still I gain something each time I watch it. I don't think people don't realize how beautiful they made New England look in this movie either. Eachtime I watch this movie while away in Colorado, I always want to be back in an eastcoast summer. It's something else to add to the list. This movie teaches more lessons then any other. Although I feel this movie is underrated, I do believe that's part of it's charm.
With this resigned, the letter I sign, Courtney
Name: mike
Comments: I am so glad to finally find a site that does this monumental film justice. It is the greatest movie I have ever seen. It was superbly acted and wonderfully directed. I watch the movie like every week and I cant help but cry every time I see them hug on the beach. THis is truly a wonderful movie that makes me happy every time I see it. It never gets old.
Name: Natasha
Comments: well thankgod!!! People who are completely mad on the film like me are out there, ive never seen a film better or will ever.....its beautiful from its opening scene to the acting to the music. I just had to right a message saying how happy i was to know i wasnt alone, I am a complete Shawshank Redemption freak and always will be (sad but true) it hit me like no other film has and has just touched me in a place that is hard to explain. I too had heard little about it and was completely blown away when i watched it.Unfortunately i was unable to get the soundtrack for the film which i was gutted about and i still couldnt listen to it on here for some reason ( i must be fated). Natasha xxxx aka shawshank freak
Name: Josh Haftield
Comments: I had a similar experience on my first time watching Shawshank. "The Shawshank Redemption" is by far one of my all-time favorute movies, the only other drama to ever match it was "Stand By Me", but it's rather weird how I first saw Shawshank. Me and my dad has stayed up pretty late on weekend and we had just gotten pay-per-view and he reccomended we order a movie. Of course the movie buff I am I said "Sure!", and immediately request he order "Desperado" but he wanted to see "The Shashank Redemption" so being nice I agreed to it even though I really didn't want to watch it. I wasn't into dramas back then like I am now. Anyway we started watching it at about 11 and my dad passed out a half hour into it and my little pre teenaged mind was blown out of the wall, it was like I couldn't stop watching it, it was so awesome!. So i stayed up till 1 in the morning finishing the movie and the next day I couldn't stop telling my dad how good the movie was. I can look back on it now and laugh because I didn't even want to watch it. Ironic.
Name: Mandy Mincher
Comments: Hi!! I just wanted to thank you for making this page and to tell you it is awsome. The shawshank Redemption has been one of my favorite movies and stories for a long time. It is so inspiring and it makes me cry every time I watch it. Tim Robins' performance is so moving an I find myself hooked on everything he says. I was so happy for his charachter Andy when he finnally escaped that I cried. Thank you, Mandy
Name: Carlos Gimeno
Comments: Greetings from Barcelona. Excuse me if my english is not correct enough, but i had to write this cause tonight I've just seen The Shawshank Redemption for my first time (you can bet won't be the last). The only thing I've thought after watching it is knowing more about this great, superb, unforgetable film, so here am I, searching for information, pictures... I must say that i've bookmarked your site cause it is so complete and helpful: congratulations!!! Reading your welcoming message I nearly cry again (watching the end of the film has really impressed and excited me), cause you're right: this is one of the best movies I've ever seen, and probably when I'll see it a couple of times I'll say it's the best! Well, I gotta leave cause tomorrow I have to work (when I'm finished will go to buy the movie). Congratulations again, keep making it so good! Bye, Carlos.
Name: schumley
Comments: Your Shawshank site is fantastic!! It is very entertaining and engaging. I can spend many hours on the site interactively enjoying one of my favorite movies. I like the fact that you used B&W thumbnails as they load up faster. The site is clean and efficient. I learned a number of things I did't know previously about the production. Like you, I too am anxiously awaiting the release of "The Green Mile" later this month. After "The Shawshank Redemption", this next production certainly has big shoes to fill. Please keep me updated on changes to your site. Keep up the great work.
Name: Danny Kavanagh
Comments: What an absolutely fantastic web site dedicated to my favorite movie of all time.
I have spent ages here and will keep on returning it.
By the way I haven't been to all the pages but here is a bit of trivia you may not be aware of
Stephen King did not receive a penny in film rights for this movie. He handed them over to the producers free of charge. That is why he gets a 'Thank you at the end of the movie'
Hope this proves to be of some assistance to your site
Do e mail me if you wish
Danny
Name: Stephen
Comments: Hey there, I'd just like to say that ur page is very good, one of the best ive found on the net. You probably hear all this sort of stuff all the time, but Shawshank is my favoutite movie ever, i absolutly love it. Brilliant acting, actors, and the story is just fantastic. Every time i watch the film, the ending brings a tear to my eye (im 17, so as u can imagine this is hard for me to admit!) and it gives me goose bumps. Anyways, i'd just like to say that ur page is excellent.
Name: Scott Lundqiust
Comments: This is one of my favorite movies. It has a really good plot and keeps you interested throughout the movie. I have seen The Shawshank Redemption a dozen of times. The director did a fabulous job picking the chacters and putting this film together. Tim Robins and Morgan Freeman made a perfect match in the movie. When I first seen The Shawshank Redemption I thought it was going to be another boreing court movie but half way through I knew it was my favorite movie. I emidiatly went out and got a copy. I recomend this film to anybody who hasn't seen it. Scott Lundquist
Name: John
Comments: I have never gone on to a web site before to speak my mind like I am now but simply by being on this site you can deduct that I had a similar experience. My experience was during Christmas break (94-95) my girlfriend (now wife) and I decided to go see this film. I had heard great reviews from friends about Gump, Fiction, and Milk Money (simply because of Melanie Griffith's attire in the film is my guess) but people would pause before talking about how great Shawshank was.
Nearly five years later I play the soundtrack at my desk at work and nearly get choked up when I hear the string music from Suds on the Roof.
Without a doubt, the best movie I have ever seen!!!
Name: Andy
Comments: I gotta' say, the Shawshank Redemption is the greatest film I have ever had the pleasure to watch. I love Stephen King as an author and I really loved the film. There is not one part of it that I don't like and I really like the feeling of friendship that grows between Red and Andy. The Shawshank Redemption is the most powerful film I know and the triumph of good over evil is excellent. I don't find any of it unrealistic at all. Thank you to the Directors, Producers and the entire crew, but most of all, Thank you Tim and Morgan.
Name: Adam Bobrow
Comments: Reading the openig description of how this guy felt the first time he saw The Shawshank Redemption, almost mirrored my experience. All that he said in that paragraph was completely true to my situation and feelings. I consider the first time I saw this movie one of the greatest times in my life. I can always remember it perfectly.
Name: Oranda Montealvo
Comments: This is the best site that I have been to in regards to Shawshank! I too fell in love with the movie after first seeing it. This webpage is organized and I found out alot of stuff I did not know. The ending amazed me and the impact that it had was intense. I felt complete justice for Andy when all the pieces came together. It also helped that I am a huge Stephen King fan.
This site is like a favorite book, I keep coming back to it and I keep finding more stuff that I missed.
Thanks once again for such an awesome site!
Oranda
Name: Rita McAuliffe
Comments: I love Shawshank Redemption, I felt the same way when I first saw it. My mum actually wouldn't let me wtach it when it was out, but I had to watch it for and English class. I can never thank them enough for introducing Shawshank into my life. Your web site is great.
Name: Adam Boczek
Comments: Greetings from Poland (Europe :-)! That is FANTASTIC that somebody has made such site! I've seen Showshank Redemption many, many times (yesterday also) and this movie is some kind of "way of life". Hope, hope...
Thank you! Adam
Name: jen michaels
Comments: Well hello. I must say that your site is awesome! The Shawshank Redemption is the ultimate movie and your tribute *site* for it is so great. I love all the aspects of it especially your personal story on how it became your fav. movie. King is brilliant as well as Darabont... thanks and keep up the good work. by the way, have you ever seen Stand By Me? also a novella written by King, it just so happens to be my other fav. movie (next to Shawshank)
Name: Ben Reid
Comments: I would just like to say that this is the best site I have ever seen. I am an absolute fanatic about this film, and like most people watch it an awful lot, and adore everything about it. In one aspect of this site the creater mentions that their fav. secene is the final scene where the camera pans away fron Red and Andy. I have to agree that it is a very touching moment but not as touching as the scene where Brooks commits suicide. My favorite scene howevver is probably where Red is in the cemetery and says 'i guess i just miss my friend' 'but maybe some birds were not meant to caged' (approx.) This is my favorite line in the film and encapsulates the meaning of the film for me. I would like finish by saying thankyou to the website creaters you have done a great job on this site, but a bigger thankyou to the director and all his crew. Keep up the good work
Name: greg brown
Location: hershey, pa
Comments: i saw shawshank for the first time two nights ago. i never did like
stephen king movies or books, and i had never cared to try out the movie. i saw
the green mile last spring, not knowing it was a king flick, and loved it. it
surprised the hell out of me when i saw his name in the credits. i am going to
school to become a youth pastor, and am a devout christian. my boss at work
told me if i love movies that make you think deeply about life and hope and
faith etc...that i would love shawshank.. so that night after my shift i went
down to blockbuster and bought it, and i don't buy many movies. the intensity
grew as i watched it starting at 1:00 am. you may not hear this from many
people but that movie had the greatest impact on my faith, ambition, plus it was
so clever i just loved it. i have watched it everyday since, and i catch
something new everytime, but it will never impact me as it did when i first
watched it. the " some birds aren't meant to be caged" line was so poetic it is
my favor
Name: Alexandre
Location: Brazil
Comments: First of allI'd like to congratulate you,4 this website...Well,I'll
just say some words,anh thoughts that has blossomed into me after i watched this
magnifying movie.
I'm not copying the feedbacks,but for sure this 's one of my favourite,and once
time experience in life.
Well,it all started when my mom 's watched this movie,and told everybody that it
was you know,very good.At this point I did not get interested,but one night,I
switched the channel on Warner,and it was,the Shawshank Redemption...I got
say,that my life has changed since then.All the thoughts,lessons,messages,r not
new,but they're passed to us in a simple way,so simple and so brilliant.I all
the world could watch this movie,for sure,hope and friendship would be words
that could make the difference in this crazy world.Best movie ever...
Name: Jennifer Berg
Comments: "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever
dies." ~ Andy
That is definitely one of my favorite quotes. It certainly makes me cry as does
the whole movie. I finally own it too after having to watch it edited on TNT
over and over again. This movie is amazing and is among the few movies that can
make me weep and change my entire mood. A few others you may want to see if you
like that feeling:
Imitation of Life (very old)
American Beauty
Thanks for putting this site together.
Name: Peter
Location: Budapest
Comments: That is a beautiful site!
Thank you, and congratulations!
It is my favourite film too!
I finally found out who was Allen Greene, and got to know a lot of other
interesting things about the film.
Thanks,
Peter
Name: Zhidong LU
Location: Herndon, VA
Comments: This is a great site! Finally found so many fans like me.
Last Christmas I was hiding in a friend's house and we
just watched DVDs for days, and some of them in Chinese,
and then I picked up a DVD, hm, Shawshank Redemption,
must be good, otherwise they would not translate it into
Chinese, right? Ok, let's try it. And for the rest of
the night, I was in a shock, can't believe I just watched
the best moive of my life! I watched it again and again
for the rest of the Christmas.
Andy showed me what a man should be under the worst
conditions and he always inspires me since the day I
watched the movie.
Name: Selin Senol
Location: Turkey
Comments: It's the best movie that Ý've ever seen. I like all about the film,
not only scenario or characters. But i must say that both Tim Robbins and Morgan
Freeman have perfect performance in the film. Whenever i watch it, i always cry
in the last part. I feel excited in the time of Andy's escape.
Now i'm looking for this movie's vcd everywhere.I hope i'll find in a short
time. I miss watching it...
Name: blue marine
Location: Germany
Comments: Last night I have seen the Shawshank Redemption. It is really
fascinating, how that film got my minds right to the point. It spoke out, what I
wasn't able to talk about before. And now I vaguely know what kind of unspoken
feelings and perfectionality of the film and the storymaker I really respect. An
unbelievable, fantastic movie!
Name: R. Curtis
Location: Central Ohio
Comments: Great Site. A fitting tribute to an artisitic triumph . Your level
of excitment for the film is contageuos. I only wish more were said about the
soundtrack. I've got my CD rolling "Brooks Was Here" on the hour, but the
entire soundtrack is haunting, and a hand in glove fit for the film. In
addition to the accolades you understandably assign to the film, people need to
just listen to the soundtrack. Thomas Newman is amazing.
Name: Clyde
Location: Illinois
Comments: Such an awesome movie. But what is it really about? It's
about many things, which is what makes it great, but mostly
it's about a moving friendship between two men from
completely different origins (played masterfully by Tim
Robbins and Morgan Freeman). It almost seems like this movie
was written for Tim Robbins, because although he is a good
actor he was in the zone in this one. Almost like the screenplay
folks had him in mind.
I really enjoy the website and I am glad to see the movie
getting its due. There are few movies that
inspire me like this one does, certainly nothing in the
last 10 years (maybe 'Saving Private Ryan').
Clyde
Name: Dave
Location: NY
Comments: I must say that I share your views on this amazing accomplishment
called The Shawshank Redemption. I have viewed this masterpiese well over 60
times. I'm 15 and ever since I saw this movie ,three years ago have felt
something great for my favorite movie .( witch I own in DVD and VHS.)And still
in awe of how monstrosities like BAPS and speed 2( Charlie's Angels?
yiiiiiiiish)Can possibly slip through the cracks. It's pleasent to know that
someone else shares my feelings on this movie. Thanks
Name: Chad Peter
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Comments: By far the greatest movie ever made. It's unfortunate that it never
received the credit it deserved, and it deserved more than any other. It made
me a filmmaker and still it influences my everyday life.
"Get busy living, or get busy dying. That's goddamn right."
chad
Name: Helen Coventry
Location: England
Comments: wow, what an amazing web page!!
I absolutely LOVED it, almost as I loved the film. I remember the first time
that i watched it- when i was in a High school film club. The atmosphere that
it created in that small classroom, watching on a small tv and video combined as
it was one of our first film club meetings, was amazing, also because it was
viewed amongst close friends the film became special. It also has THE BEST
quote of all time:
"Hope is a good thing, Maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies"
A message for us all.
Thankyou so much.
Helen Coventry.
Name: Taz
Location: United States
Comments: This is definitely the best movie ever made. I know someone who was
once an inmate at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, where the movie was
filmed. We used to go visit him a lot when he was there. As the movie
progressed, I saw less of it. Basically, I was mentally taken back to the times
when I was there. I practically stared through the television as I watched the
movie. This movie can definitely take you to the prison, and I think that the
best movies take you where they are and not leave you realizing that you are
sitting in a room watching it on a screen. It's definitely changed my life by
allowing me to revisit my past whenever I feel the need to.
Name: Nick Branting
Location: Kearney Nebraska
Comments: Man, this site is awesome. The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite
movie of all time and I have convinced several of my friends to feel the same
way. I do remember seeing it for the first time and it was great. It makes you
look at friendships in a completely different way. I know every line in the
movie and I watch it all the time. Just about a week ago, I caught a little
play on words in the movie. When Andy is talking about his little hotel in
Zhewantenejo or whatever, Red says "those are just shitty pipe dreams Andy."
And then wouldn't you know it that Andy escapes through a shitty pipe to fulfill
his dream. I don't know if everyone knows about this or why I didn't catch it
earlier, but I thought it was a pretty cool foreshadowing tool. all right, keep
up the good work. see ya
Name: Dawn Smith
Comments: I think your web page is awesome! I am also a huge fan of the movie! My friends and I always quote lines from movies and I think you should add a section for famous lines from the movie like "Hope is a good thing" and "You remember the name of the town, don't you?" and many more that I can't think of at the moment. Maybe some of those lines will be as famous as "Here's looking at you kid" and "We'll always have Paris"
Thanks
Dawn
Name: Brian Shepard
hi,
My name is Brian Shephard. I am a freshman at the University of South dakota (oh, the excitement!!!). All of my friends know that I am a hardcore Shawshank fan, and one of them was kind enough to refer me to your page. I have been looking for good Shawshank pages for a couple of years, and I can honestly say that this is by far the best. I just thought I should thank you for what obviously took a great amount of your time. A question: where did you dig up Darabont's commentary on the scene-by-scene? It sounded like he might have been referring to some sort of book that was released. That was something I had always kind of hoped to find but never really expected to.
Anyway, I just thought I ought to relay my appreciation for your page. I'm sure I will spend much more time exploring it and reading Darabont's remarks along with the movie.
thanks so much, brian shephard
Name: Justin Swarens
Comments: Great, absolutley the best Shawshank Redemption page out there and I have looked at them all, trust me. I was wondering if I could possibly get a picture or copy of the letter that Andy wrote Red at the end of the film. Now i don't know if this is possible but I figured if it was you would be teh guy to ask. Once again awesome page and thanks a lot. Will pay for the letter if you can get a hold of it or anything. Thanks Jusitn
Name: Erik Barber
Comments: Does my email address say it all? Yes, I too was taken aback when I first saw the movie as a sophmore in college. I rented it and knew it was the best movie ever made. I have watched it over and over again. Great dedication with the web site. Good job. Know any links for good sound clips. Maybe some with "horseapple" or Tommy going crazy about his test. ANyway, good job
Name: Alex
Comments: Hi,
I saw The Shawshank Redemption at a young age, probably younger than i should have. But i have to say it's left a big influence and me and my friends lives. It's the greatest film 've ever seen..it's not a "movie" it's a true "film" experience. All i can say is...excellent job...thank you.
-aLeX
Name: Chris Wegener
Comments: I really think your site is the best shawshank site. I thought the director's notes on each scene was very interesting to read. Shawshank has been my favorite movie ever since the first time I saw it, which was unfortunately not in the theaters. Im glad Shawshank is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves.
Name: moez naseer
Comments: I thought this movie was a complete masterpiece. I saw it in 95, I didn't think much of it back then, but now when I watched it again, its message really drove home.
In my opinion the movie is about HOPE. It also has a lot of message on how a person's persistent and patient effort can produce such marvelous results. Like the way Andy sends mail to the state senate for six years every single day. The way he uses a small rock hammer to make a pessage in the wall and completes it after 19 years. Also the movie has a lot of references to geology. Geology, as they say in the movie, is about constant pressure, that is what Andy was all about. Persistent effort towards his freedom.
Its a beautiful movie, and I am glad you set up a page for it.
Moez
Name: Edward Huber
I feel exactly like you about the movie.I also rented it on a whim and didn't really expect much.I really would give the director the most credit for creating the feel,which I believe is the most compelling component in the film.I could have read the screenplay and not been nearly as mesmerized as I was watching the film. Thanks for the wonderful website about the greatest movie that I have,up to this point, ever seen.
Edward Huber'
Name: Rich
your words at the start of the site could have been written by me. I do not have the time to make a site but i am as devoted. I am currently saving money to visit ziehautanijo and living in England it is just as popular as it is there in the Us. I watched this on my birthday when i was 15 and sat there for a few minutes while the cinema emptied with my friends in complete shock. I feel like I know everything but there is one thing i need to know i have heard that there was a limited edition mug and t-shirt brought out at the time of the release is this true and if so i will do anything to have them, i have the press release pack from england and also b/w photos and all the posters so any other merchandise would be greatly appreciated if you can let me know if there is any. thankyou so much for your help and you must be a great person to love this movie as much as me. your site is wonderful:) thankfully Rich
Name: Joe Osman
Fellow Shawshank admirer,
In all my life I have never been touched by a movie like I have been with The Shawshank Redemption. I know the movie by heart only because I've seen it over 100 times. My friend and I are not psychopaths, but we find it such a rarity to enjoy a motif of life as beautiful as The Shaw. We have gone through a lot with The Shaw. We appreciate the fact that you have dedicated your time to something that is so beautiful the average human mind cannot comprehend it. My friend here wanted to know if you were a woman so that he could marry you. Well enough horseapples, I hope you will email us. We check our email weekly but will look for yours soon. We love Shaw with all our heart and soul.........The Shaw has taken us over.
Name: Stuart Tindall
I had seen the Shawshank Redemption about 5 months ago on TNT and I loved it. It quickly shot up to one of my favorite movies. Tonight I saw it again on TNT and cemented it's lead as a tie with the Truman Show as my favorite. In a fit of curiosity, I started to search the web for pages on the movie. And of the few I found, yours' is the best. Thanks for devoting your time to this great film!
Stuart Tindall Topeka, KS
Name: Brian Hayden
Great page man! Hell, I love your monologue on the opening page because I can relate. When the credits egin to roll, you sit there speechless. My only regret is never seeing it in theaters. The only movie that ties up with this one is The Usual Suspects (which if you haven't seen, get movin'). But there's something different about shawshank. It's so fullfilling. I was upset at my friend (who showed me it) because he didn't tell me a movie like this existed. It's one of the few truely great movies of the nineties, and I look forward to reading the book.
Name: Chris Manson
Just thought I'd drop you a line as the backgroudn music from SSRedmpt.. plays int he background.. I agree..
I remember the 1s6t time I saw that.. I weas awestruck.. it left me dumbfounded.. I've seen good movies.
Raiders of the lost ark.. great movie.. ..... star wars.... great movie.. jaws... gerat movie.. left me feeling an emotion that i haven't encountered before.. schindler's list and saving private ryan.. both movies of the century.. but none has ever affected me like this one.. where at the end of the movie i felt such a ... let me think.. grateful satisfaction that everything had turned out 'right' at the end w/o ruining the 'ruthlessnes'' of the characters and the theme of the movie..
thanks for putting up a site.. which admires the movie... if you agree. i'd really like a reply .. to know that i'm not the only one who agrees w/ the movie..
btw .. after visiting the sight.. i'm about to pop it into the vcr again.
take care.. and good luck
chris mason arlington, tx
Name: Rob Shoskank
I have to say wow! i stumbled on you your page through IMBD and i'm so happy i did. From the first time i saw this film i knew no other film would replace or een come close to its greatness. I saw it in the theater during it's 1st release. my one regret is not keeping the ticket stub.
I've been looking all over for the script and I'm so happy i finally found it! I started to read it but stopped soon after. my eyes could not take the color sceme. thus, i have a request. do you have a formatted version of the full script as one file, either htm or word or txt. i would love to obtain it if possible. I have enough room in this e-mail address to be able to get it.
If not, that's ok.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. --Rob
Name: Mike
I came across your page looking for a movie for my son. I haven't met anyone
who reacted to Shawshank Redemption the way I did, and it is
reassuring that there are others who consider it a brilliant and moving film.
Gutwrenchingly moving at time. One of my favorite scenes is when
Tim Robbins broadcasts the aria over the prison loudspeakers transporting the
inmates to beauty and normalcy. He knew he'd be punished, yet followed his
benevolent instincts.
Thanks for writing what you did.
Mike
Name: Lee Mills
Your paragraph on your first viewing of Shawshank Redemption echos my thought's exactly. Unfortunately, I only viewed the movie tonight for the first time...I am still trying to catch my breath.
I am a Captain for Delta Air Lines and indeed a grown man. However, this movie brought me to tears...I cannot explain why. This is truly the greatest movie that I have ever seen....
Thanks for your webpage...
Name: Rachel Farnum
Hi. I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your webpage. I saw the movie for the first time with some people from my dorm this past fall. THey were playing it on campus. Like you I only expected a basic prison movie, which aren't usually my style but I didn't have anything better to do at the time. I loved the movie. I totally know what you mean when you said that you never expected such greatness in a movie and like you I have to agree that a movie has yet to come close to that. I have only seen it six times but I get goosebumps each time I see it. My parents thought I was crazy because after having seen it once I bought the soundtrack, rented it and forced them to watch. They both loved it as well. I have a copy with me now and a few of my friends watched it with me and after the violence they thought it really sucked until it got towards the end, then they loved the movie and every time it comes up they say how good it was. Well, I will stop boring you with my stories but I just wanted to let you know how much I loved your site.
-Rachel Farnum
Name: Mike Location: Florida Comments: This is a fantastic website, and I wanted to get in on it. But I think that it is important to remember that this movie is about hope and how powerful it is. This movie has inspired me so much. Whenever I need a lift I watch the Shawshank knowing that it will lift me up. Steven King did a great job taking the worst possible situation that a person could be in, giving him hope and concluding his story with a bang. This movie, taught me to never quit because you never know what you can achieve. I know that it might just be just a movie, but its more than just a movie when it inspires you. Frank Darabont is a saint for the way he put the movie together, it couldn't be any better period. The music was perfect as well. There were no flaws, just a great movie. A movie made the way they all should be made, with perfection and hope that people will be insired to get off their ass and accomplish something. Hell it only took Andy 19 years to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish. I wish I could see this movie again for the first time, to experience that feeling I had when Andy looked up and saw Andy on the beach with the look on his face as he was thinking "I told you so" HOPE IS A GOOD THING, PROBABLY THE BEST OF THINGS. So either get busy living or get busy dying.-Thats God dahm right!!
Name: Sean Oliver Location: Cincinnati, OH Comments: This site is wonderful. Your introduction hits home for me all too well. I too watched this movie for the first time when I was a sophomore in college 1995. I was going through a real hard time and a friend suggested I watch it. From that night on, for a week, I watched it as many times as I could, taking in something new and inspiring each time. This movie helped me in my bleekest hour. It will never be shadowed by another. Thank you for the work it took to make this site.
Name: Lawrence Mason Location: Huntington, WV Comments: Excellent site. I downloaded a RealPlayer just so I could listen to the soundtrack...then I bought it. The "Did You Know" section of this site is great. "Shawshank" is definitely one of the greatest movies ever made. I do think it's a little odd that Red has such a wide vocabulary for a guy who had spent his whole life in prison (for instance, I had never heard of the word "magnanimous" and I doubt very many lifers have either. Oh well, it's still a fascinating movie! Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'...that IS damn right.
Name: Femi Phipps Location: Hampton, VA Comments: What a site!!! what a site!!! what a site!!! I love it. I LOVE SHAWSHANK!!!!! One of the best movies I have seen, and probably one of the best I will ever see!!!!! Everyone played their position perfect!! Ohh..thanks a million and one for the SOUNDTRACK..I love listening to it via your website from time to time. Excuse me for asking, but I was just kind of curious about YOU;-) How old are you? What do you do? all that. I am a senior college student at hampton university in Hampton VA. Enjoying myself greatly!! Im 20...and always on the quest to find another great movie!! Also; if you do not mind,give me a few other movies that you like. Just to tell you a few, I just saw Fight Club and loved it, a great movie. I also just saw American beauty, great movie. But my all time favorite is THE USUAL SUSPECTS....a masterpiece. Until next time, Femi
Name: Marce Marquez Location: Manila, Philippines Comments: thanks for the creation of this site. i really fell in love with the movie that i guess i got obssessed with knowing more information about the film. one of the greatest movies i've ever watched. it's simply moving. i never expected the movie to inspire me to the hilt. i just had the chance to watch it this year and it's a good thing that the fans are still saying their piece about the movie. i'm so glad that the movie bacame a part of my life...
Name: Lisa C. Self Location: Austin, Texas Comments: Thank you! To the director for taking the time to write down the ins & outs, the good & bad, the ups & downs of filming a movie! I can't even begin to tell you how enjoyable it was to ready his journal about the filming of one of the most memorable movies of all time. I felt like I was there! Having read this, even with all of the problems they encountered along the way, makes me all the more eager to devote the rest of my life to making movies. For every one of those "little miracles" that took place during the filming, and all of the problems solved so creatively along the way, I raise my glass to each and every team member/crew member on this project, The Shawshank Redemption! Thank you again!
Name: james Location: princeton, nj Comments: i really enjoyed your website, i liked the soundtrack portion of the site, it ws really nice. I have been looking for the SR soundtrack for very long time, and i still havent found it, guess i am not looking hard enough. If you like the music from Shawshank, like i did, then you should listen to the American Beauty track, it was done by the same guy, Newman. Get busy living, or get busy dyin', ..thats godamn right.
Name: Adriana Location: California, USA Comments: HI I just want to say that I'm discovering that this movie has touched so many people so deeply. Your website is great, I have read very interesting things. It is great that the is this kind of information, because this movie is just one of the GREATEST movies ever. I just have one comment though. I read Stephen King's novella about 2 years before they made the movie, and it became one of my favorites stories. And I think the movie works mainly because the story is excellent. Of course, the movie is completely great, I was so satisfy on everyway with the movie, that of course now is one of my favorites movies (I always cry, with the movie and with the book). So I just think Stephen King (one of my favorites authors) should get some credit too. I'm a truly Stephen King fan!!!!! Again, congratulations for an excellent website!!!! Adriana
Name: Cortney Location: VA, USA Comments: WOW.....what an excellent site! This is my favorite movie on the face of the planet, and you completely did the movie its full justice with this awesome site. I loved the "Did you know?"s and the screenplay info. You described your viewing experience exactly the way I experienced it, and I think you'd make Stephen King proud. Thanks for the song "If I Didn't Care". I've been looking for that everywhere. I'll be coming back to your site often. Keep up the excellent work!
Name: Denise Woods Location: Vernon Comments: I agree 100%. This is indeed one of the all time best movies that I have ever seen. I had the same reaction when I saw it for the first time. I saw on television and of course it had been edited. I immediately rented it. I enjoyed it emmensely. I was so glad to find this site. I am learning things that interest me. Thank You, Denise
Name: Dominik Location: IL Comments: I think you summarize perfectly with the line, "still get goosebumps during the last scene..." I feel the same way. This is, in my estimation, the greatest movie ever made. Morgan Freeman delivers one of the most moving performances I have ever seen. Hearing his voice throughout the movie with the music in the background moves me to this day. I have seen the movie many times as well. It was the first movie I wanted to buy when I got my DVD player (unfortunately it didn't come out for another 2 years). Thanks for putting all of the time and effort in this wonderful tribute. Cheers!
Name: Tony Location: Here Comments: I would just like to thank you for making this page...i just watched Shawshank about 10 minutes ago for the 20th time or so...it is without a doubt my favorite movie. There's something almost "fairy tale-ish" about it, the way that all the bad guys eventually got what was coming to them, and the happily ever after ending...normally, this kind of plot could be conceived as contrived, but the movie has so many twists and surprises that it keeps it fresh. Shawshank has something magical about it. Now, i must admit the first time i read through the Did you know section, i was a bit upset, thinking that it ruined the magic...it was then i realized that for some people, this enhances the experience. So thanks again for a great website. Tony
Name: Erin Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. Comments: The Shawshank Redemption is one of those films that you can watch over and over and not feel bored that you're seeing the same thing again. This film should have won an Oscar. Everybody loved Forrest Gump at the time, yet now it seems so inferior to this masterpiece. Whilst reading the Stephen King novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", one line from it, which is also in the film, came back to haunt me: "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and a good thing never dies." Beautiful. Keep hope alive (and go watch The Shawshank Redemption again!) Love, Erin.
Name: Neal Bowen Location: Memphis, TN Comments: What a triumph! Great movie. Hope truly springs eternal! Freedom is not to be denied those who seek it with all their might! Thank God for Shawshank. Stephen King is a master! I'm not even a Stephen King fan, but what a great story! This movie is for anyone with a dream yet to be realized!
Name: Shannon Location: Cairns, QLD, Australia Comments: WOW! your site is great. We watched the Shawshank Redemption in English, and analyse it, I always thought that bad movies were picked for school but this is by far one of the best movies i've seen! I guess everyone sees this movie in School at one point of time, and i was lucky to have a good teacher who chose this movie for us. This movie to me was an inspiration.
Name: Dannielle Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Comments: I talk up this movie every time I get a chance. I recently shared it with my 13 yr old son. I felt he was ready to appreciate it. My 2 favorite scenes are: 1)The opera music over the loudspeaker. I can image the elation of hearing music after a hiatus. Tim Robbins' face had the look of a person in absolute ecstacy. I hope I never have to abstain from music in order to appreciate it in such a manner. 2)Hands down, my absolute favorite moment- When he raises his face and feels the sweet taste of that freedom rain. This movie would have satisfied me if it had ended right then and there. But it goes on to fulfill me even more. Like having a truly good orgasm and realizing there's another one on the way. :)
Name: Chloe Location: Oregon Comments: Thankyou for putting up this site. The music section means a lot to me. I don't have much money, and every time I watch the film, I am touched at the sounds that almost represent the whole movie to me. It may seem silly, but they really mean more than anyone ould ever know.
Name: Jill Hello Your Shawshank Redemption page is superb! I find it really useful and it's great! We're studying the Shawshank Redemption as a part of the 11th grade scheme (for film studies), and our whole class loved it. It certainly is the BEST film I've ever seen, it's really meaningful as well. Keep up the good work!!
Name: Steven Michael
The reviews of most films nowadays are filled with meaningless hyperbole:
"The greatest ever", "awesome", "unbelievable". In the case of The Shawshank
Redemption, it is only now, in the fullness of time, that the greatness of
this film is finally coming into public conscienceness as it takes it's rightful
place as one of the greatest films of all time.
Based on the screen adaptation of Stephen King's story Rita Hayworth and the
Shawshank Redemption…the theatrical release (1994) starring Tim Robbins and Morgan
Freeman, is a powerful portrayal of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of
utterly impossible odds.
Nominated for seven Academy Awards® including Best Picture--two Golden Globe
nominations and one nomination for Screen Actors Guild Award in 1995. Nomination
for best music, original score by Thomas Newman. Shawshank has found redemption in
the court of public opinion.
According to a 1999 article by Stephen Schurr, Staff Reporter of The Wall
Street Journal, [t]he hugely popular site [Internet Movie Database], acquired by
Amazon.com last year, is visited by more than three million separate visitors every
month, according to Colin Needham, imdb's founder and managing editor…."Shawshank"
has been among the top ten ever since its release in 1994, and has been No. 1 for
nearly two years, save for a brief surge by "Star Wars" after its re-release and an
occasional eclipse by "The Godfather."
The film's writer and director, Frank Darabont, has made superb use of double
entendre--there are several scenes in the film where the audience is left pondering
the obvious outcome when in fact, the director has something entirely different in
mind. As such, the director has made use of his dramatic license and provided the
audience with an artistic touch that borders on sheer brilliancy.
If there is one scene that captures the spirit, grandeur and majesty of the
Shawshank Redemption, it is the scene were Andy Dufresne has fallen out of the
sewer pipe and stumbles in the drainage ditch in the rain. Amid heavy lightning
and thunder, removes his shirt, then undershirt and raises his hands and arms to
the heavens. It is as if God himself has given sanction and ordained the event.
The music itself crescendos to a majestic fever pitch and the audience is witnessing,
if for only a very brief moment, a divine event wrought by the hand of God.
It is possible, that no single scene in the entire history of cinema so completely
captures the spirit and essence of an entire film, as this one did.
One of the most compelling aspects of The Shawshank Redemption is, as the end-credits
confidently assure us that the film is pure fiction and any similarity to any name or
incident, or the character or biography of any person, is purely coincidental and
unintentional. Yet one can confidently say, no person has ever walked away after seeing
The Shawshank Redemption without wondering in the back of his or her mind, if this is a
true story or at least based on small part on a true story. Is there some aspect of the
film that is in fact true?
A 1993 congressional study by Representative Don Edwards, then Chair
of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights,
found that since 1973, 48 people were subsequently found innocent and released
from death row. Since 1993, an additional 45 people have been exonerated
because of their innocence, bringing the total to 93 in the last 27 years.
Shawshank then, in one sense, is a resplendent allegory-a tool for looking at oneself
and examining the truth.
The Shawshank Redemption is certainly one of the leading contenders, on a very short list,
for the greatest movie of all time. A short list that includes The Godfather, Citizen Kane,
Casablanca, Titanic (11 Oscars® out of 14 nominations-tied most nominations of all time).
While somewhat overlooked in 1995, Shawshank is an utterly brilliant film, a crown jewel,
which cannot and should not be missed.
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