The Shawshank Redemption

A study of the 1994 prison drama The Shawshank Redemption in the BFI Film Classics series.

How did a low-key prison drama which was considered a box-office flop on its original release become one of the most popular movies of all time? Mark Kermode traces the history of this unexpected audience favourite, from its source in Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, through the icy corridors of Ohio's Mansfield Reformatory (whose imposing gothic architecture dominates the film), to the television and video screens on which The Shawshank Redemption became a phenomenon. Kermode's account includes insights from writer/director Frank Darabont and leading players Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. He also explores the near-religious fervour that the film continues to inspire its huge number of devoted fans. This new edition, published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Shawshank's release, includes a new foreword by Mark Kermode re-assessing the film's impact and legacy.