The Shawshank Redemption

I was dumbstruck at the “showing of the cards” and remained in a state of indescribable chilling ecstasy until the closing credits. I didn’t know if I should cry, jump for joy or just sit quietly and savor what had just been conveyed to me. After getting home from the cinema, I turned off the lights, put on Thomas Newman’s soundtrack, lay down and tried to hold on to that ecstasy for as long as possible. The Shawshank Redemption is a film that slowly introduces you to the two main and a few supporting characters behind prison walls, in a world with its own rules, and then explains to you what their coming together in that place of pain and hopelessness has given them. It is a film about “hope that gives us wings”, a film with the most surprising, most powerful and most beautiful ending ever. (27/05/2002)

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)

Frank Darabont has a clear talent for these "people films". Compared to The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption is a little calmer in terms of the pace of storytelling and the events contained in it, but all the more care is given to the characters. Both main actors are excellently written and excellently executed, especially Robbins' Andy is fascinating for his inaccessibility, which melts during the film. Still, I wouldn't dare to place Darabont's film alongside such gems as Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, because in certain ways I find it too fabricated, artful, and aimed at the viewer's feelings (true, in a very tasteful way). I was impressed by the whole story, but not in any fundamental way. It's just... a nice narrative that I watched the whole film, but which couldn't pull me in and leave me with more than a feeling that excellent work was done. Perhaps I expected too much when I saw how high The Shawshank Redemption had climbed the ladder... But, of course, it's the best in its field. (25/02/2004)

Salvation lies within. A marvelous, no, perfect adaptation of a story with the same title by Stephen King to the movie screen. A feature movie debut and one of the best movies in history. Everything here is perfect and of the highest possible quality. From unforgettable acting performances (for most involved these are the performances of their lives) through the director, the music, the camerawork... Simply everything without exception, thank you very much. There’s nothing to criticize here - everything is simply exactly as it should be. Ingenious, flawless, unforgettable and an captivating emotional experience. That’s The Shawshank Redemption for you. (20/01/2007)

Hope, friendship, happiness, and future. Thanks to Shawshank, prisoners have something to believe in. A manly tearjerker after which no storm will be the same. (27/05/2006)

In essence, an inconspicuous film, which had below-average attendance at the time of its release, and was saved from box office failure only by an Oscar nomination. For me, one of the best films ever and undoubtedly the best adaptation of a literary work by Stephen King. Excellent acting performances and cast, superbly built atmosphere and plot progression. Alongside the actors, the impressive experience is also shaped by the prison environment itself, which the film crew had to search for a suitable location for a really long time. A beautiful story about human hope and an incredibly strong character. I have practically nothing to criticize, so the overall impression is 100%. (12/01/2007)

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)

Brilliantly distributed attributes of emotion, hardness, visual opulence, and a catchy script. Sure, it's not “reality”, but it's just on the edge. Timeless stuff, both in filmmaking and message. (31/01/2004)

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)

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)

A timeless masterpiece that skillfully weaves a tale of hope, friendship, and redemption. The acting brings depth and humanity to their characters, making the story truly unforgettable. Thomas Newman's hauntingly beautiful score perfectly complements the film's emotional journey, elevating the experience to a higher level. Simply a profound and heartwarming exploration of the human spirit. (13/08/2012)

Why is this film at the top of the rankings on both the Czech film database and the international one? There is no clear answer to this question. Is it perfectly directed? Surely there are films that are more perfectly directed. What about the performances? They are excellent, but why hasn't any actor won an Oscar? Have they been forgotten? Perhaps, the Academy is sometimes simply blind. Here, several good performances simply came together, so thanks to them, the level is high. But what else? The story? It is definitely excellent, as it is based on Stephen King's work. It is powerful, moving, and not a horror film. It is beautiful. But aren't there even more powerful stories out there? It doesn't matter. Everything just came together so perfectly here that you simply have to acknowledge that this film captures your heart. It is not a big film, and that is its beauty. It is a small film, a film about ordinary people whose lives didn't turn out well. Some later find luck, others don't. Everyone goes through difficult moments, it is only up to them how they deal with them. Can we move on? Can we live even after everything has collapsed? This film is about surrendering to fate, but it is also about hope. Perhaps it is precisely hope, love for life, and friendship that make this film such a powerful experience. Frank Darabont showed that he is a unique artist. It is just a shame that he proves it to us so rarely. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/06/rockova-lod-cruise-diaz-shawshank.html (21/02/2013)

What does The Shawshank Redemption represent to me? A work thanks to which I started watching and reviewing movies a lot more. It's a movie that defines film perfection for me, whose ending warrants a sixth star. (11/01/2012)