Once in a while it doesn’t hurt to take a look into the past and appreciate great classic movies for the masterpieces that they are. Once in a while it doesn’t hurt to take a look into the past and appreciate great classic movies for the masterpieces that they are. 

“The Shawshank Redemption,” in my opinion at least, is one of the greatest movies ever made. With its dreary prison setting, in-depth plot and well-rounded characters, a movie of this quality is difficult to surpass.

The setting of Frank Darabont and Stephen King’s 1994 classic begins in the mid-1940s and continues into the late 1960s by the film’s end. 

Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank Prison after being found guilty for the murder of his wife. However, his innocence is apparent to the viewer since the beginning.

Whilst strolling the confines of his new home, Dufresne meets Red, a man who can get ahold of nearly any item one might ask for, including cigarettes, pinup posters and rock hammers.

The two prisoners forge a friendship that continues to grow throughout the movie and plays a key role in the ending.

The story is riddled with triumphs from overcoming miserable odds, showcasing the strength of the human spirit. 

Andy surpasses nearly every obstacle that stands in his way. He takes revenge on the man who continuously harassed him, opens a library to help inmates achieve a higher level of education, and eventually escapes the prison and runs away to Mexico. 

It is these feats and the unbreakable bond between two unlikely friends that makes the film so worthwhile.

If you are in the mood to watch a dark yet lighthearted, dramatic yet slow-paced film with an outstanding storyline and character development, then consider allowing “The Shawshank Redemption” to consume a few hours of your time. 

You certainly will not regret it.