The Shawshank Redemption

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. (08/13/2008)

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%. (01/12/2007)

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. (02/25/2004)

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. (05/27/2002)

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. (01/20/2007)