| I started writing a short history for each of the Top | | | | Darabondt, after his purchase of the rights to |
| 100 films on the American Film Institutes list, and then | | | | Stephen King's novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank |
| I realized that the AFI list is problematic for a few | | | | Redemption. He takes liberties with the material and |
| different reasons. It only represents the opinions of | | | | makes a great deal of changes, but the core ideas |
| film critics, it stays within the boundaries of | | | | and themes remain intact albeit the voice severely |
| Hollywood and American born films, and it tends to | | | | changed from King's to something decidedly more |
| pander towards the classics with films that were | | | | subdued. |
| extremely important but don't necessarily represent | | | | Interpretations of the film aren't nearly as varied as |
| the opinions of those that watch them, the movie | | | | films on this list from earlier decades, probably due to |
| going public. | | | | its much more recent release. Drawing heavily from |
| So, I present the exact same project with the Top | | | | The Count of Monte Cristo, the film doesn't however |
| 100 movies from The Internet Movie Database's Top | | | | go down the road of revenge and sacrifice as |
| 250 list. The IMDB list is a much greater tool, and one | | | | Dumas' classic does. Instead, Andy's key |
| I've used in the past because it's dynamic. Over the | | | | characteristic is his integrity, and as he endures the |
| course of the years it has changed substantially | | | | beatings of his fellow inmates, injustices of his |
| adding new films, removing old films and generally | | | | warden, betrayal by his ex-wife, and the injustice of |
| reflecting the opinions of those that watch the films. | | | | the system that allowed it all to happen, he stands |
| Number two on that dynamic and eponymous list is a | | | | strong and eventually uses his gifts to escape. His is |
| film that doesn't even peek its way into some other | | | | a tale of hope and patience and finally of success |
| Top 100 lists. Clearly a fan favorite though, The | | | | under horrendous circumstances and finally reward. |
| Shawshank Redemption has found endless support in | | | | Parallels have even been made between Andy and |
| the world of DVD sales and television airing. Starring | | | | Christ, following the false arrest, imprisonment and |
| Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, The Shawshank | | | | crucifixion after betrayal by a loved one, only to die |
| Redemption is the story of Andy Dufresne, falsely | | | | and be resurrected anew, awarded for the injustices |
| imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover | | | | committed against them. The director denies any |
| for two consecutive life terms. Morgan Freeman | | | | intentional parallel though. Thankfully art is open to all |
| plays the part of Red, who also narrates as Andy | | | | interpretations despite original intentions, and we're |
| goes from quiet unassuming banker to beaten, | | | | still allowed to make the connections. |
| abused bottom rung of the prison ladder to the | | | | As a film still fresh in the memory of Hollywood and |
| warden's personal accountant and purveyor of the | | | | critics, the reception is still very much contemporary. |
| newly minted prison library. The film spans the course | | | | Critics cite it as a great film but a modern film, and in |
| of 20 years, and in that time Andy finds himself a | | | | the year of its release (1994) it was forced to |
| substantial place in the prison hierarchy and garners | | | | compete with Forrest Gump at the Academy |
| powers through his intelligence that no prisoner should | | | | Awards and thus failed to win a single one. But, it has |
| be allowed. | | | | endured with greater tenacity than Tom Hanks fame |
| When Andy's savior enters the prison with the proof | | | | machine, voted to the number two spot on IMDB's |
| he needs to clear his name, tensions reach a boiling | | | | list, and last year named the #1 film of all time by a |
| point and the Warden acts excessively forcing Andy | | | | reader poll in Empire. |
| into action. Following is one of the most entertaining | | | | A true testament to the nature and power of IMDB, |
| and satisfying conclusions in recent cinema. The film's | | | | The Shawshank Redemption's impression is still felt |
| run time, at nearly 2 and a half hours is well worth | | | | among movie lovers new and old 13 years later, and |
| the wait just for those final 10 minutes. | | | | will likely continue. |
| The film was written and directed by Frank | | | | |