The Shawshank Redemption

UK Release: 17th February 1995

Watched on DVD: Saturday 30th July 2011

Rating: 15

Genre: Crime, Drama

Runtime: 2hrs 22mins

Tagline: Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

IMDb Plot Summary: Andy Dufresne is a young and successful banker whose life changes drastically when he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy, with the help of his friend Red, the prison entrepreneur, turns out to be a most unconventional prisoner.

My Review: I believe that the Shawshank Redemption is one of the best films ever made. Considering my ‘favourite film’ changes every week, the fact that I have thought highly of it for so many years now is testament to how immaculate a film it is. It isn’t just me that thinks this - it is rated as the top film of all time (with a rating of 9.2) on IMDb.

That is why it is almost impossible for me to objectively review this film so I can only say this: the acting from every single cast member from the leads Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins themselves right down to the extras are sublime. The sets, locations, atmosphere - everything looks perfect and last, but by no means least the script is magnificent. There are so many quotable lines, touching moments and subtext - it really is a classic. 

Score: 9.5/10