Justin Yu

A Bird Not
Meant to Be Caged

Film: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Director: Frank Darabont
Genre: Thriller/Crime

On any given day if I were to be asked what my favorite film was, the answer would either be The Shawshank Redemption (1994) or The Godfather (1972). However, I am going to give the edge to the former, as it possesses a trait the latter lacks—a theme of freedom. The Shawshank Redemption is the ultimate story of humanity, perseverance, and, above all, hope. Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the film takes place in the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary and follows the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a former banker wrongfully sentenced to two life sentences for the murders of his wife and her lover.

The entire film is narrated by Red (Morgan Freeman), a fellow lifer, whose friendship with Andy is the focus of the story. The flower of friendship can bloom even in hell, and theirs is a bright flower indeed. Red is known as a smuggler—someone who can “get you things,” and Andy’s friendship with him develops throughout the film as he periodically buys items from him. Meanwhile, Andy has trouble with the “Sisters,” a group of men who sexually assault other prisoners. Throughout his first two years in Shawshank, Andy is repeatedly beaten and assaulted. However, he does not lose the will to fight. This is what makes The Shawshank Redemption so beautiful. We see a man lose everything—his wealth, his freedom, and his dignity—but cling to the lifeboat of hope. Compared to Andy, we realize the insignificance of our own troubles and raise our chins up.

When a work detail to tar the roof of one of the prison buildings is announced, Red uses his connections to get Andy and their friends on the job. While working, Andy overhears head guard Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) complaining about the taxes he’ll have to pay on an upcoming inheritance. Andy approaches Hadley, suggesting a way to legally avoid the taxes by making it a one-time gift to his wife. Despite being threatened with being thrown off the roof, Hadley eventually listens and they strike a deal to give the prisoners in the detail cold beers in return for Andy’s help with the paperwork.

However, soon the corrupt warden, Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton) becomes aware of Andy’s intelligence and financial skills due to his previous job as a banker. He begins to take advantage of
Andy and forces him to help with his various money laundering schemes. Over the years, Andy revamps the prison library and helps fellow inmates get their high school diplomas. When a new inmate, Tommy, reveals information that could prove Andy’s innocence, Norton has Tommy killed to prevent Andy’s release and keep him working on his schemes.

After 19 years at Shawshank, Andy secretly escapes through a tunnel he has been digging in his cell every single night with his rock hammer. The hole is covered by the poster of Rita Hayworth that he bought from Red all those years ago. Andy flees to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and after being paroled, Red meets up with him. They start a new life of freedom by the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean.

First off, I’d like to talk about Morgan Freeman’s narration. Morgan Freeman’s voice just has a naturally soothing quality to it, and his overall performance alongside Tim Robbins’ quietly powerful portrayal of Andy gives the film an amazing level of depth and sincerity. Notably, this was actually Morgan Freeman’s debut as a movie narrator, marking the beginning of a career in narrating that significantly boosted his popularity. His is one of the best voices out there, after all.

Unusually, the narration was recorded before filming started and played on set to guide the pacing of each scene. Freeman had completed the initial recording in just forty minutes at an Iowa studio, but there were slight issues in the track that the production team could not remove. The final recording process took three weeks to ensure perfect audio quality.

Interestingly enough, none of the film is actually presented through the lenses of Andy. Rather, we see him through the eyes of Red. This is a common device used in filmmaking—the use of a deuteragonist to narrate the life of the legendary protagonist. We wonder alongside Red why he’s different from all the other prisoners: he strolls around the yard instead of shuffling along like everyone else, and, most importantly, never seems to let go of the idea of hope, which all other lifers seem to have long forgotten for their sanities. This is the key point of the film, summarized in an iconic quote from Andy: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

Supporting Andy’s hope is the cinematography. This film excels in its use of imagery of freedom. Whether it’s the open sky, the Pacific Ocean, the feeling of rain drops, the beauty of music, or the simple joy of a cold beer on a hot day, these images contrast amazingly with the cold, grey walls of Shawshank. Hope is what keeps us going, and these little instances of humanity, of a “normal life,” are what keeps Andy going.

Andy, meanwhile, is what keeps Red going. When Red initially gets out, he experiences what it is like to be an “institutionalized” man. As he describes it: “These walls are funny. First you hate ’em, then you get used to ’em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them.” Red, alone in the big, wide world after decades in prison, is as helpless as a fish out of water. He contemplates suicide, but remembers Andy and his hope. To throw away his freedom would be to spit on Andy’s efforts. So, he decides to get busy living.

The Shawshank Redemption initially grossed $18 million on a $25 million budget, falling short of covering its production costs. Although it earned an additional $10 million following its seven Oscar nominations, it was still considered a failure at the box office. Morgan Freeman has attributed part of this disappointment to the film’s “difficult” title, which, coupled with the lack of the internet at the time, limited word-of-mouth marketing. Other factors cited for its poor performance included stiff competition from Pulp Fiction (1994) and Forrest Gump (1994) that year, the general disinterest in prison films, and its lack of female characters. Despite this, the film’s total box office gross rose to over $73 million due to a theatrical re-release and increased international revenue. The film also became the most rented video of 1995 as well as one of the highest-grossing film rentals ever.

Perhaps the most inspiring film ever created, The Shawshank Redemption tells us to never give up and to always have hope— even in the worst of situations. It reminds us of how much we take freedom for granted. It’s only when it’s taken away from us that we realize how precious it truly is.

A Bird Not
Meant to Be Caged

Film: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Director: Frank Darabont
Genre: Thriller/Crime

On any given day if I were to be asked what my favorite film was, the answer would either be The Shawshank Redemption (1994) or The Godfather (1972). However, I am going to give the edge to the former, as it possesses a trait the latter lacks—a theme of freedom. The Shawshank Redemption is the ultimate story of humanity, perseverance, and, above all, hope. Based on Stephen ...

This book takes a journey through the worlds of 50 of the most influential and unforgettable films in history ranked by an aspiring young cinephile. From timeless classics such as The Godfather (1972) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952) to modern masterpieces such as Parasite (2019) and Joker (2019), this collection spans a diverse range of genres, styles, and eras. Each chapter offers a 1000-word synopsis and review that explores the unique qualities that have cemented these films in cinema history. Alongside these reviews are brief bibliographies of some of the auteurs who created these masterpieces, as well a list of the actors who brought them to life. For those who hunger for more, an additional list of 50 recommended films is included at the end. Whether you’re a film aficionado or a newbie to the world of cinema, this book serves as a celebration of the movies that continue to define and reshape the way we experience storytelling on screen today.

This book takes a journey through the worlds of 50 of the most influential and unforgettable films in history ranked by an aspiring young cinephile. From timeless classics such as The Godfather (1972) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952) to modern masterpieces such as Parasite (2019) and Joker (2019), this collection spans a diverse range of genres, styles, and eras. Each chapter offers a 1000-word synopsis and review that explores the unique qualities that have cemented these films in cinema history...

50 Films Ranked

01. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
02. The Godfather (1972)
03. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
04. The Godfather Part II (1974)
05. Good Will Hunting (1997)
06. Whiplash (2014)
07. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
08. Dead Poets Society (1989)
09. The Truman Show (1998)
10. The Gold Rush (1925)
11. Seven Samurai (1954)
12. Casablanca (1942)
13. Harakiri (1962)
14. Psycho (1960)
15. Pulp Fiction (1994)
16. Joker (2019)
17. 12 Angry Men (1957)
18. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
19. Spirited Away (2001)
20. Se7en (1995)
21. Parasite (2019)
22. Scarface (1983)
23. Ikiru (1952)
24. The Lion King (1994)
25. Léon: The Professional (1994)
26. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
27. Titanic (1997)
28. The Shining (1980)
29. The Wind Rises (2013)
30. Up (2009)
31. The Green Mile (1999)
32. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
33. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
34. City Lights (1931)
35. The Terminator (1984)
36. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
37. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
38. The Pianist (2002)
39. Modern Times (1936)
40. Life Is Beautiful (1997)
41. Mary and Max (2009)
42. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
43. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
44. The Sixth Sense (1999)
45. The Dark Knight (2008)
46. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
47. The Usual Suspects (1995)
48. The Negotiator (1998)
49. Shutter Island (2010)
50. The Matrix (1999)

50 Films Ranked

01. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
02. The Godfather (1972)
03. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
04. The Godfather Part II (1974)
05. Good Will Hunting (1997)
06. Whiplash (2014)
07. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
08. Dead Poets Society (1989)
09. The Truman Show (1998)
10. The Gold Rush (1925)
11. Seven Samurai (1954)
12. Casablanca (1942)
13. Harakiri (1962)
14. Psycho (1960)
15. Pulp Fiction (1994)
16. Joker (2019)
17. 12 Angry Men (1957)
18. Singin’ in the ...