Table of Contents
Techniques
Examining
In conclusion
This is Andy Dufresne’s (Tim Robbins) story. He was convicted in the murders of his wife. Andy claims that he was falsely charged, but all evidence points toward Andy and not anyone else. He is therefore sent to Shawshank to complete a double sentence. Red (Morgan Freeman) arrives to serve a Shawshank sentence. He is the beloved prisoner, who is adept at smuggling things into prison upon request of other prisoners. Andy is quite different to him. Andy initially is shy and introverted. Red approaches him later to make a deal. Red is able to get the item he needs smuggled into his home.
Later. Slowly, Andy and Red form a close friendship. They live through many years together, facing pain, despair and oppression. Andy is hired to work in the prison’s library. He is slowly gaining a reputation helping the guards with various bank related issues: taxes, loans and education of their children. Andy even starts taking care of the warden’s regular accounts. The years go by. The years pass without anyone denying Andy’s innocence. Prisons are a place where “everybody” is innocent. However, years later, Tommy (Gil Bellows), an inmate at a prison changes everything. Andy is driven to “salvation” by the revelation. This sequence is among the most iconic in cinematic movie history. All of life’s great moments are due to our human nature to find redemption. This is The Shawshank Redemption.
Techniques
As a way to convey main themes, the film used many film techniques. Camera angles were a great way to define a character’s personality. Norton, the warden in Shawshank is often seen looking down from low angles. This shows his high authority and prison status. Andy is confined to Shawshank and we don’t see much colour other than grey shades. These dull and lifeless colours show the prisoners’ lack in power, and most importantly, their lack on hope. This contrasts with Red and Andy’s colours. The audience now sees more than grey, dull colours. They see the Pacific Ocean’s bright sands, vibrant colours and the beauty of its surroundings. The audience sees that Andy has been released from prison and is free to be himself.
Similar scenes are shown in another scene. Brook releases Jake from prison and we see how lighting has been used to emphasize the theme of redemption. This scene shows us that the prison library was darkened and that we could only see light through the window from Jake’s room. Brook releases Jake. He shows us that Jake is flying into the light and has no fear. Andy’s optimistic outlook on life is enhanced by Jake’s flying from freedom. It is a foreshadowing of Andy’s redemption from Shawshank. Red in voiceover reminded me that not all birds can be kept in cages. Their feathers are too bright. Brook appears to be walking into the darkness. We are left with a shot in darkness that emphasizes how Brook was busy dying and lost hope, redemption and freedom. Brook walks in the darkness with his eyes down to show this loss of identity. Talk about losing hope and feeling defeated by the institution.
Examining
Shawshank Redemption has many techniques used by the director to portray the main theme of the movie. The movie’s cinematography and lightening play a significant role. To convey the story’s intimacy and impact viewers more, the movie uses slow zoom to get close ups of the characters. Low camera angles make prison guards appear more powerful and are admired by the audience. The prison guards are often seen from the skies by the camera angles, which makes them seem less powerful. Red and Andy are the main characters in the story and are frequently filmed close up.
Morgan Freeman narrates Andy’s story, including his trial, prison life and escape. Freeman is a great storyteller with a voice that makes it easy to hear more. The prison uniform is a grey/blue colour. These colors are so dark that it makes prison seem horrible and unbearable. The film shows a side that we rarely see in prison.
The movie makes us believe that these characters aren’t so bad, even though we are watching them in prison. They are, in fact, almost all innocent. As audience, we begin to sympathize with inmates and wish them freedom and escape. Andy is repeatedly assaulted throughout the film. This makes it difficult to sympathize with Andy while he is locked up for murder.
Strong plot is what makes this film great. The film depicts a man that loses everything and ends in prison. The movie shows how he finds some happiness and is able to share it with others. Although the film doesn’t make use of special effects, it manages to hold our interest with its characters and a great story.
Character development is one of the film’s biggest flaws. Andy is in prison with many of his friends, but we never learn how their friendship ended. A scene that shows Andy and Red doing the same thing a few years later would have been a nice touch. The music could have been more focused. This movie deserved a great soundtrack. In addition to Mr. Freeman’s brilliant acting and Mr. Robbins’ great directing, Frank Darabont has done a fantastic job with cinematography. The film is fluid and flows well. It has a well-written plot and an interesting setting that are in line with the film’s overall themes. The Shawshank Redemption has many emotional and powerful scenes.
It highlights our triumphs and tragedies, as well a deeper meaning of life. The movie contains many life lessons that are easier to understand and feel after watching. Two men are bonded over years of imprisonment. They share emotions, find solace in one another and eventually reach salvation. This movie shows how one can maintain self-worth even in the most despairing and hopeless situations.
Ultimately,
Shawshank Redemption tells the story of a man who endures great pain over many years, but then finds a way to surprise everyone by his final plan. The film’s narration is by Morgan Freeman. It is a story of redemption and transformation. “Some birds don’t belong in cages… their wings are too bright.” Get busy living or getting busy dyeing. These lines are the best part of the movie. It is a lesson in faith and acceptance of life.
This film deserves an ‘A’ rating. The director has done a great job with the script and cinematography. I also love the performances of the actors. It beautifully portrays the strength and potential of a person’s will and hopes. It never gets boring and it leaves an unforgettable impression. Sometimes life can be a prison. It is easy to feel helpless and then realize that only you can save yourself. Andy is wrongly found guilty of double murder, and sentenced to life. His intelligence and inner strength help him overcome his dilemma. And his final escape proves that anything can be achieved if you believe and are determined to win. The most important thing is to believe in hope, even during the worst of times. Andy uses a rockhammer to build his cell wall.
Although the task would have taken six hundred year to complete, he completed it in twenty years. Andy is motivated by hope to write a letter asking for money to renovate the prison library. Warden Norton said it was impossible. Andy can stay calm and determined in The Shawshank to solve the crime he didn’t commit and make friends in a place with integrity and self respect. Andy’s hope and faith is what gets Red out of jail and gives him the opportunity to fulfill his dream. Andy will eventually be free. Andy believes that hope is a positive thing. Perhaps the best of all things is never lost.
