The Shawshank Redemption

A little gem of a film that is loudly claiming the top spot in future polls for the best film of all time. If someone asked me what I liked about this film, I would have to tell them everything. From start to finish, a chill made a car track out of my back and by the end a warm feeling of happiness spread through my body. And speaking of the ending, it is equal to The Usual Suspects in terms of surprise, but surpasses it in intensity and emotional impact. If you haven’t seen it and have the chance, do not hesitate, you’ll be richly rewarded. (25/12/2002)

I hesitated for a long time about whether I should admit it or not and I decided that I should. I cried at the end of The Shawshank Redemption. Not that I was crying like a baby, but still, no other film ever managed to do that. Can I give a film that achieved something like that anything less than five stars? No, and I would give it more if I could. Right now I’m incapable of producing a longer review, but I can say with a clear conscience that this is the most beautiful film I’ve seen so far… and Darabont is a genius. (13/08/2008)

One of the reasons I’m eternally grateful to be alive and sentient. The Shawshank Redemption, a work of art that moves you, shocks you and makes you laugh; a film whose every shot, dialogue and musical note I would cut out separately and place in a sacred box to which I would go every night to pray and pay silent tribute. A humanistic creation worthy of God Himself, a gripping story with the most important, thoughtful and emotionally dimensional message. I ask for the possibility of awarding not five, nor seven, but at least ten stars in this case... (18/09/2011)

For years I heard amazing things about The Shawshank Redemption, but still I avoided watching this wonderful movie. I really like King’s short story and, to be honest, I didn’t believe that the movie adaptation could outdo the original. And I was wrong. Frank Darabont perfectly developed on little hints from the book, adding sequences to it that fitted the original storyline flawlessly. The excellent acting performances, not just from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, made the movie almost uncannily plausible and convincing, and the amazing music by Thomas Newman sometimes moves you to tears. While watching this movie, you begin realize the spice of life - both its downsides and its beauty... “I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain." (31/05/2006)

The Shawshank Redemption is a truly amazing movie with a great story, soundtrack, and acting. It also has probably the best ending I have ever seen. The end left me with an amazing feeling, and the whole movie was great to watch. I think it rightfully deserves its place in the list here and in my Top Ten. (02/04/2015)