Shawshank Redemption Analysis

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In this film we learn that even the worst of circumstances can be overcome by having Andy Dufresne’s outlook on life: “Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.” The Shawshank Redemption was written and directed by Frank Darabont. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novella the Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Set during the mid-20th century, the symbolic story of freedom and hope organically twists from one interesting vignette to the next. The story follows the character Andy Dufresne, played by actor Tim Robbins. Dufresne serves two life sentences for the murder of his wife and her lover in the prison. During his time prison he bonds with the insightful Red performed by Morgan Freeman (an Academy nominated role). As he narrates the film he speaks for all Shawshank prisoners, who sees honesty and bravery in Deufresne. In the prison Red is king, he is able to get you a pack of cigarettes or a poster of Rita Hayworth. Tommy (Gil Bellows), Heywood (William Sadler) and Brooks Hatlen (James Whitmore) creates the unique group of ex-cons. Dufresne has run-ins with a group of foul antagonists, a violent group of prison rapists led by Bogs Diamond (Mark Rolsten) and Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) – a corrupt and callous guard. Bob Gunton plays the the warden of the penitentiary, who uses Dufresne’s banking skills to his own benefit. Before long Andy has been moved out from his prison library job to the warden’s office.