The Shawshank Redemption

Name: The Shawshank Redemption
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: September 1, 1994
Duration: 142 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins

1994

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2106 Ratings

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8.9

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8.9	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2106 Ratings

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The Shawshank Redemption

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: September 1, 1994 | R

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins

Summary: Wrongly convicted, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in in Maine's Shawshank prison for the murders of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy learns to get by in the brutal confines of prison, even earning the respect of his fellow inmates, most notably the longtime convictWrongly convicted, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in in Maine's Shawshank prison for the murders of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy learns to get by in the brutal confines of prison, even earning the respect of his fellow inmates, most notably the longtime convict "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman).… Expand

Director: Frank Darabont

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 142 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Ian Nathan

A thumpingly good ode to friendship, hope, wit, wiles and wisdom, brimming with crackling characters and topped with the most twisteroo of twists since "The Crying Game." Read full review

100

Gene Siskel

This is simply marvelous entertainment that breathes life into a genre that I thought had been dead for a decade-the prison picture. Read full review

Rita Kempley

Remarkable. Read full review

Peter Travers

It's the no-bull performances that hold back the flood of banalities. Robbins and Freeman connect with the bruised souls of Andy and Red to create something undeniably powerful and moving. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

This is a movie with every facet shining in place, every word charged and resonant. [23 Sept 1994]

James Berardinelli

Whitmore's Brooks is a brilliantly-realized character, and the scenes with him attempting to cope with life outside of Shawshank represents one of the film's most moving -- and effective -- sequences. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Speaking of jail, "Shawshank"-the-movie seems to last about half a life sentence. The story, chiefly about the 20-year friendship between Freeman and Robbins, becomes incarcerated in its own labyrinthine sentimentality. Read full review

SEE ALL 21 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

Saron_Unchained

Mar 31, 2022

This movie is so heartwarming. It is a great Movie about Friendship. Ypu have to see this one. Incredible!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Alfred

Nov 3, 2010

One of the best movies of all time. Don't deprive yourself of the pleasure of watching such a stellar movie. Go now and watch this movie if you have never seen it. Perfect casting, amazing story, emotional performances. Just perfect.

55 of 75 users found this helpful5520

Huckster

Feb 13, 2013

Easily in the top 100 movies of all time. Brilliant storytelling and a great insight to the horrors of prison life. The ending is one of my all-time favourites.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

LindaC.

Mar 4, 2006

Simply the best movie ever. Perfect!

2 of 3 users found this helpful

henryesparza

Sep 5, 2016

The first time you watch this movie, it is an easy 10/10. No question about it. The relationship the characters build up makes you absolutely love every single one of them. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman blow it out of the park.
10/10 One of my favorite movies of all time.

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

ChoppersBag

Feb 28, 2022

To be able to watch this after 20+ years after its release and still feel such emotion is something that few films can accomplish, from characters you will quickly find yourself attached with, to an amazing look at the prison system, and a storyline that will have anyone unable to lookTo be able to watch this after 20+ years after its release and still feel such emotion is something that few films can accomplish, from characters you will quickly find yourself attached with, to an amazing look at the prison system, and a storyline that will have anyone unable to look away.

This movie really does deserve its Metacritic score and if you have the time do give it a watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

QuinnC.

Nov 25, 2007

Freeman is 'red' freedom character searching for nothing but to pace his life in prison. Robins is a robin hood who does more strength than the hero, he becomes a prisoner, also a librarian, teacher, friend, and smart banker who reads books. These two characters start off and end Freeman is 'red' freedom character searching for nothing but to pace his life in prison. Robins is a robin hood who does more strength than the hero, he becomes a prisoner, also a librarian, teacher, friend, and smart banker who reads books. These two characters start off and end off by learning how to live trying and die trying. I do not enjoy a film that drags on, bores, and tells a message with bad wording, a bad script, and badly done lesson, that prisoners get the rights to do many things than sit in a rotting cell and eat disgusting food all day.… Expand

1 of 26 users found this helpful

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