This is Stephen King's favorite movie that is based off his work. He didn't even cash the check that he was paid for the movie rights, framing it instead. Then he sent it back to Frank Darabont, the director, with a note saying something like if you ever need bail money, break glass. Love, Steve.
BTW, the line "why do they call you red?" "i dont know, maybe it's because i'm irish" was included as a joke referencing the stephen king book (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption) the movie was based on. In the book, his character was a white, red headed irish man. When they cast the role they auditioned many white red heads but after freeman auditioned, they couldn't see anyone but him in the role, despite being a black man. Yes, his nickname comes from his last name being Redding, but they included the line "maybe it's because i'm irish" as a joke referencing the original novel character. also, my favourite detail of this movie is how when brooks leaves, the backdrop is the prison, its his whole life. when red leaves, the POV is facing out of the prison and beyond.
Yup, great points made. I like that the very last words of dialogue are "I hope." And that's a callback to the conversation where Red said hope was a dangerous thing to be avoided. "I hope."
@@butkusfan23 yes I love the juxtapositioning of those lines! Also, when Brooks leaves, the view is him standing in front of the prison from which he never really escapes. When Red leaves, the camera is behind him, facing the outside world.
@@butkusfan23 Yeah, I heard the movie originally ended there with Red saying I hope, but test audiences hated that it stopped and demanded a scene where Red and Andy actually reunite, so they went back and shot that final scene on the beach where Red walks up to Andy (which is also why there's no dialogue in that scene), so audiences would have that sense of closure seeing the two men reunite.
@@josephmiller6515 Green Mile has some supernatural elements, which somehow makes it too "easy", script-wise. It's also a very good movie, but I think Shawshank is superior.
Red lecturing Andy about the dangers of hope. Red`s last whispered sentence of the movie "I hope". I remember watching this movie as a teenager by accident when I was sick and zapping through the TV at night cause I couldn`t sleep and I was absolutely stunned. Probably have seen it two dozen times by now, what a masterpiece.
I am a 71 year old pensioner and this film is recognised as a Masterpiece and rated as one of the best films ever made. Glad to see you both understand the meaning of this film. Redemption, Friendship, Love and HOPE. Please, whenever you feel down, watch this Masterpiece again and your life will be beautiful. Dave in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Today, in my state (Wisconsin), a warden and 8 other members of the Waupun Correctional Facility were arrested for various misconduct crimes. Four prisoners died over the past year due to the misconduct and neglect. We may be in the 21st century, but we still have a long way to go in the struggle to eliminate prison cruelty and misconduct.
@@Charlesbaker3017 Going to prison, and losing your freedom is the legal punishment for crime. Not being raped, tortured and abused. If we expect the incarcerated to rejoin society, prison should be about repairing them, not turning them into worse monsters. This fundamental understanding separates better-performing countries when it comes to low-recidivism and successful rehabilitation of former convicts into productive, law-abiding citizens vs. the USA, which is plagued by repeat offenders and new offenses being committed in prison. Some countries like the Netherlands, are so good at rehabilitating criminals they actually have to close prisons. Funny isn't it? The countries where most people are atheists and use rational, scientific approaches to solve problems are doing better at so many social issues than the country that loves to claim Christianity as a PR foil but does not actually believe in redemption.
@@Charlesbaker3017By raping and beating them? What a strange question you ask. Prisons take away a man's freedom as punishment for his crimes but they should still be humane places.
@@alieninthecaribbean Considering how widespread essentially slave labor in prisons is and all the parties making millions off of keeping as many prisoners as possible, it becomes a lot less surprising rehabilitating prisoners isn't really on the agenda.
I did 8 years in the Wisconsin prison system. I know full well about the corruption that went, and goes on. I was lucky to avoid Waupun, but I did do time at Columbia where Dahmer and Anderson were killed.
“The last thing Norton had running thru his mind….other than that bullet…was how in the hell did Andy Dufresne ever get the better of him” I LOVE when ol Red makes that statement! It’s funny as all hell. 😁 And to answer that, when you’re such a despicable piece of shit as he…it doesn’t take much. He entered Shawshank as Reds choice to crack, and left as his bestie!!! Movie is a masterpiece…
Shawshank Redemption is the most complete film in every aspect of filmmaking. The piano refrain as Red is talking about "I hope" hits me every time. Brooks said ought Five. As in 1905 is when he was put in Shawshank. Which is why automobiles were so new to him.
Movies like this coming out when me and my friends were like 15-16 taught us a lot about real brotherhood. I still remember us talking more than once about how your real friends would look out for you like those two did. I’ve known those same 6 guys since childhood and save one who passed away we are still best friends and I’m now a few years shy of 50.
I spent 8 years in prison. Believe me, some of the guards can be extremely cruel. "Accidents" can happen and prisons are so insulated from the outside world, many things can be covered up that would surprise people who have never been a part of that world.
Inmates do die in prisons today. Many times police describe their death as accidental or self inflicted. An example of this is Sandra Bland. There is another case that involved a woman and a police officer. The police officer claims she fell. Her face was bloody and teeth were missing like someone punched her repeatedly. The camera in the room with the woman cuts out with the police officer and the woman in the same room and cuts back on when she is on the ground with facial beatings and the police next to her concerned for her condition. The woman claims the police officer did attack her and there was an investigation. However, other fellow police officers "misfiled" all the evidence against the officer so the case couldn't move forward for lack of evidence. In other words evidence collected that was supposed to go in a file cabinet under a specific alphabet was placed in another file cabinet and they couldn't find it. Sometimes the police officers when they are about to talk about something illegal will say to each other with bodycams on "turn off audio." So yeah it does go on today.
And women who get pregnant in an all female facility, or female officers getting pregnant in an all male facility. My sister took the blame for her scumbag, drug dealer ex and got more time than the woman who killed her husband (in her jail). The whole system is effed. I wish they would separate violent from nonviolent offenders & house them in separate facilities. It'd be a decent start. It'd be easier to offer things like schooling and counseling to a facility of nonviolent prisoners.
Even high profile folk get offed in prison. Even when its blisteringly obvious. Someone who owned a certain island visited by many celebs over the years for example
While it does occupy a few more books, an escape has to start somewhere, right? The rock hammer may not have reached _Revelation,_ but Andy helped Red reach one.
...I hope. I'm almost 60 and I bawl like a baby every time I hear Red say that at the end. Morgan Freeman's narration is mesmerizing throughout the last act. The "truth is, I don't want to know" line after the Italian ladies are singing is probably my favorite moment.
Morgan Freeman turned 87 on June 1st, Eric & Kailyn. The Shawshank Redemption premiered 30 years ago on September 23, 1994. Shawshank was directed by Frank Darabont. In his early career, he was primarily a screenwriter for such horror films as A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), The Blob (1988) and The Fly II (1989). As a director, he is known for his film adaptations of Stephen King novellas and novels, such as The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Green Mile (1999), and The Mist (2007). Darabont also developed and executive-produced the first season and first half of the second season of the AMC horror series The Walking Dead (2010-2011).
@nerdymarriedcouple You are very welcome. On another note is the new series ( SE3 drops on June 27th ) "The Bear" on your possible future reaction list ? SE1 - 8 Episodes SE2 - 10 Episodes
I feel like this is in most people’s top 5 movies, at least. I almost forget to mention it just cause it’s such a certified classic but yeah, def one of my favorites
The scene when the new bus of prisoners arrive and the one young guy behind the fence is mimicking a fishing pole and yelling "Reelin' 'em in, Reelin' 'em in!" is Morgan Freeman's son.
Not to wade into here, but it makes wayy more sense that JE decided to kill himself and they neglected the cameras to give him a window to do it. After all, he was a narcissist used to living the good life who faced certain live in prison forever. Why not do it? The conspiracy to kill him doesn't make any sense.
@@sebastianjoseph2828 Except that he'd been caught before and his powerful friends got him out of it. Why wouldn't he think that he could weasel his way out of trouble again?
@@sebastianjoseph2828 Regardless of who specifically killed him, he was very clearly needed dead because of who he could snitch on. So there's a metric ton of motive for killing him.
For every guy out there who is doing it tough and feeling hopeless out there my heart and prayers go out to you. Don't walk it alone. Have a safe Mens Mental Health Month.
I disagree. Percy is a sadistic prick but doesn’t have as much power as Norton. Then again, I much prefer Shawshank to the Green Mile so I’ll admit my bias 😁
Here's a new sub info snack- Brooks ended up at Shawshank after another very bad night at gambling, came home and murdered his wife and young daughter. Red cut the brakes on his girfriends car. Jake the bird was found dead not too long after being set free. Love the channel, looking forward to the other Frank Darabont masterpiece - The Green Mile, also from Stephen King.
The Rita Hayworth movie is "Gilda" from 1946. The Stephen King story this movie is based on is called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption". I would absolutely LOVE if you react to "The Green Mile" next. It's another movie based on a Stephen King novel and has the same director as Shawshank, Frank Darabont. I'm following your "Breaking Bad" journey, too. Looking forward to see you react to "Better Call Saul" after that.
Funny, you mention Forrest Gump. This movie was released the same year. That year, Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption were all nominated for Best Picture. One of the best years for movies ever.
It's such a touching act that Red carves his name next to Brooks' in the rooming house wall. Brooks is no longer all alone by himself. The most iconic line in all of cinematic history: "You're up here in Maine and Mexico is way down there. That's nothin' but a shitty pipe dream, Andy!" says Red. Andy lived that dream and "came out clean on the other side."
34:56 Y’all should definitely watch “The Count of Monte Cristo” from 2002 starring Jim Caviezel. A highly underrated film. Greatest book to movie I know. Hatred, Betrayal, Jealousy, Revenge, Vengeance, Redemption, Romance all in one. One of my all-time faves :))
How a death from a prison guard beating death happened back than was they were buried in the prison graveyard and a notation was made in their file that the prisoner died of pneumonia.
In no particular order, movies that make my perfect movie list are: The Shawshank Redemption The Silence of the Lambs Good Will Hunting Contact Arrival The Usual Suspects The Game The Matrix Groundhog's Day The Sixth Sense I can watch these movies over and over and never feel anything less than captivated. Absolutely beautiful movies.
Brooks says he was in since 1905. Tommy comes to the prison in 1963, the music and his look are from the 50's. The movie Rita Hayworth is in is Gilda (1946)
Andy went to prison in 1947, however, his first encounter with Red is in 1949 as Red notes. In the Stephen King novela "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, " the character of Red was originally Irish, however, when director Frank Darabont was casting for the film, he wanted Mogan Freeman for the role. The script was changed to address this issue. So, when Red explains his name, he quips, "Maybe it's because I'm Irish. Any reader of the Stephen King book would immediately get the joke.
No, Red says that Andy approached him after about a month to ask him for the rock hammer. That's when Red warns him about the Sisters. It was 2 years later that Andy asked him to get Rita Hayworth.
Hey, I just wanted to shout out and say THANK YOU! for picking up on the rock hammer being hidden in Exodus. I'm not religious, but that is something I noticed the first time I saw The Shawshank Redemption. I've seen a dozen reactions and you are the first to pick up on it, well done.
This bombed in theaters. Thank GOD it got a second life on home video, where it finally found an audience and entered the pantheon of immortal classics instead of disappearing and being forgotten.
Frank Darabont and the whole cast and crew knocked this one out of the park. Even just watching reactions to this movie, it still gets me. Highly recommend "The Green Mile" if you haven't seen it.
@@nerdymarriedcouple It's pretty much a must and a natural sequel to this. Darabont nearly perfectly adapts another Stephen King story with a stacked cast of Tom Hanks, Michael Clark Duncan and others. It's probably one of the highest watch count movies out there.
I loved you guys complete reaction. You were in it from the beginning and seeing the horrendous journey that eventually became a beacon story of hope. Its true, movies like this are rarely made and your union in this movie had tears down my face. Thank you for expressing the deepest reaction to the entire movie and all the characters 👏🏽👏🏽💯
Excellent reaction!!! Truly one of the greatest, most beloved films of all-time. It's basically up there w/ It's a Wonderful Life on that score. And I don't see that ever changing. It's been 30 years and this movie has stood the test of time. It's a classic. I may have to come back to this at a later date and make another comment. Peace...
That was why Andy wanted to know the name of the prisoner Hadley beat to death at the beginning so he could add it to his damning evidence. At that point, it was the first crime Andy witnessed at Shawshank.
My first reaction of yours, and it’s a great one. Love your overall presentation and editing choices. And thanks for taking your time and not cutting it too short. So many reactors try to present something like this in 35 minutes, and it seldom works. I haven’t looked at your roster yet, but will, and I hope to watch more. So far as prison realities, things were often horribly corrupt during earlier decades. There was very little oversight, and quite a few horror stories are documented. Guards were sometimes worse than the inmates.
small feedback: beside the discussion of the alphabetization system and trying to remember when Kennedy was killed, which consumed too many seconds in my opinion, while dialogue was going on in the movie, it was a clean and great reaction. Kailyn is very clever on catching clues. The look of surprise on your faces after learning of the escape was really good.
@@caneanddawgfan4life "If you know, you know" means you don't need to say it because you know. (I should have seen the not word "dawg" in your name and realized this concept is way above your pay grade)
Loved your reaction to this amazing movie. It is one of my favorite movies of all times. The more I re-watch it the more I notice tiny nuances that make such a strong statement. One of those things is when Brooks thinks about breaking his parole he says: "So that they would send me HOME" When Red thinks about breaking his parole he says: "So that they would send me BACK" One word makes all the difference in the world showing that there is still Hope in Red and he is not fully institutionalized like he thought. There are many small details like that in the movie It truly is a movie that is amazing on the first watch and then just gets better the more you re-watch it. Looking forward to more reactions from you. I really liked Kailyn based opinion on the movie quality of today. It is refreshing to hear an honest opinion and not just shilling for the crap that is made today. Like the garbage Disney keeps making. P.S. An honest and well meaning advice: Do not waste your time with the Acolyte nobody who would love that reaction is worth having as a subscriber. There are so many amazing movies out there that you could watch and attract good and intelligent thinking people. I would recommend watching "Scent of a woman" another amazing classic.
I grew up with a neighbor friend who took a very different path than I did. He's been in & out of prison forever and he just got out a couple of days ago. He's got some crazy stories. He was just telling me about how he earned a bunch of "good time" from school, classes, other programs, etc. and how he should've gotten out a month or so earlier but they were dragging their feet and didn't file his paperwork in time. So, some things are different now but a lot is pretty similar. People tend to not care about what happens to prisoners. It doesn't tend to garner news articles, people just don't care as much. It's kind of sad.
The day this movie was released on video I bought it and Braveheart on Laser Disc. I watched them both 3 times over the next 24 hours. Friends came over and I had to show them both movies because they were just too good. Love them!!!
In the book Red is Irish. I believe that he mentioned "Maybe I'm Irish" in reference to the book. This was also the time when prison reform had not happened yet. Reform did not occur till the late sixties and the early 70s. I remember all the prison riots. Lastly, the redemption is about Red realizing hope.
Morgan Freeman has without a doubt, one of THE best voices for narration, he and James Earl Jones. I swear he’s been on air, tv and movies, his whole life! I’ve been watching him since he was in that PBS show, Electric Company, on air from ‘71 to ‘77. He’s one of my favorite actors with Denzel Washington, and Will Smith, being two others. They should do at least one movie together. That would go CRAZY!
Kailyn + Eric, filmed released 1994 but some film critics slammed it. Re-released years later and people then understood the meaning of the movie. Love, friendship, redemption and hope. Glad you both understand the movie. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins made now what is acclaimed one of the best movies ever made. I am71 years old, 2024 and this without a doubt the best movie.
There are several youtubers who are ex-convicts and they talk about their experiences in prison. How things are smuggled in, how they hide things, how they interact with other inmates etc.. A lot of it sounds like long-boring days of being in the same rooms and going to the same exercise yard, eating the same food and endless repetition... mixed in with some brief moments of absolute horror and violence. My plan is to never experience any of it.
I remember someone noting that this is a movie about a long-lasting male friendship. That's not something you see very often depicted in movies. Plenty of "buddy movies" but not many male versions of something like "Beaches."
Good afternoon. I am doing this voice to text so I hope it prints it where you can read it. The prison you see in the film is the old Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio. The cell block is also at the reformatory. The street scenes were taken in Mansfield. The halfway house is the Bissman Building which still is in Mansfield. The market is the old E & B market on Fourth Street. I was lucky enough to be an extra in the convicts in the yard. The premier was actually held in Mansfield at the Renaissance Theater before it was in California or New York. It was not widely received when it opened up because it came out the same year that Forrest Gump and some other top-notch movies came out. I am 75 years old with Parkinson’s so it’s hard for me to type. Front building that you see for the prison is now a museum along with cell Block one. You can do tours of it, they have nights that you can spend there, they have murder mysteries they hold there. The prison was also used in Tango & Cash, and was the Russian cell-block used in the Airforce One. An interesting side note is that in the winter time crows fly into Mansfield from seven or eight counties and spend the winter there, so we’re used to seeing crows all the time. Glad you liked the movie. Again I apologize as the voice to text doesn't always send the right word for me. Have a great day.
That place where most of the movie was filmed is the Ohio State Reformatory. The man on the bus behind Tommy Williams is a retired guard from the Ohio State Reformatory. Several real life prison guards offered to meet with Clancy Brown and advise him on how to make his performance more convincing, but he turned them down because his character is evil and he didn't want his performance to make any of them look bad.
They filmed this in a real prison. It was no longer used. Brooks came to Shawshank in 1905. Almost all his life was there. That's why in his letter he talks about committing a crime so he could go home, Shawshank. Things changed rapidly in the 20th century. So sad for him. 😢 It's more about Red's redemption.
Kailyn don't let Eric silence you lol. My brain does the same thing with Office references all day every day when ANYTHING happens 😅. Also we need to eventually move onto "Eric watches The Office for the first time" reactions, I'm here for it. Lol
When welcoming the new batch of Convicts Captain Hadley grabs the first man by the scruff of his shirt and says “Do you speak English Putz Steak? (Not Butt Stick) follow that guard” “Putz (alt spelling Putts same pronunciation) is a Yiddish word which represents a certain male appendage. This might help in visualising the manner in which he was actually addressing the gentleman in question.
this is the first video I've seen from you two. You both seem very smart and you don't interrupt a movie with unnecessary talking, so I'm going to subscribe.
I’ve watched a lot of reactions to this movie. I love that you caught the symbolism of the hammer being hidden in the book of Exodus. No one catches that!!
The next logical step in movies to watch, if you haven't seen it already, is The Green Mile. It has the same director who adapted it from a book by the same author. The thing with the bible and the cut-out for the rock hammer is it was the same bible that the Warden took from Andy when he visited him in his cell to "size him up."
You ned to see Frank Darabont's other film that people watch with the Shawshank Redemption- The Green Mile (regardless if it doesn't win first place with your patreon poll).
The King's Speech (2010) is non-cynical; it's about overcoming hardship and has a happy ending for the two main characters. The Rum Diary (2012) is totally insane and even cynical, but it's about people with aspirations; the ending is more or less happy for the main character (he was played by Johnny Depp, opposite Amber Heard; they fell in love on the set). Ford vs. Ferrari (2016) has a human dimension, with auto racing in 1966 as the backdrop (I was a teenager in '66, and I remember all of those races). So, you're pretty accurate as to when movies drastically changed.
Back in the 50's and 60's, convicts were considered sub-human and anything befalling them was deserved. Very few, and even fewer in power advocated for them.
Fun fact - remember how a harmonica was a symbol of hope early on? And Red didn't feel comfortable playing it? If you listen to the entire soundtrack, you won't hear a harmonica until Red first sees the tree in the field. It then begins playing loudly and beautifully. Once Red first feels hope, we first hear the harmonica. Masterpiece.
The most heartbreaking part of this film, as brilliant as it is in so many ways. Is Brooks sitting in the park alone waiting for Jake...I can relate. I could listen to Morgan read a phonebook and be content... -Brooks was here
This film is my all time favorite movie and I live in Maine and lived in Buxton which really looks like the movie scenes, I’ve actually been to most of the places mentioned in the movie. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie which a lot of schools use this script as an example on how to write a script the correct way because it’s so good. Next really good movie you should watch is another Stephen King one called The Green Mile when you can.
![THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) [REACTION] Get Busy Livin or Get Busy Dyin! First Time Watching](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ijv-nPWowHw/mqdefault.jpg)
Norton: "Am I blind?"
Kailyn: "Just obtuse." 👍👍
he set it up perfectly
@@nerdymarriedcouple but no one ever nails it 😮
This movie has the absolute best tone shift in any movie ever. I mean it goes from completely hopeless to victorious
There are other movies with a great tone shift but that is from much older films that you may not have seen. The godfather was like that
Exactly...the contrast and sudden shift reflects the saying "things are always darkest before the dawn."
This is Stephen King's favorite movie that is based off his work. He didn't even cash the check that he was paid for the movie rights, framing it instead. Then he sent it back to Frank Darabont, the director, with a note saying something like if you ever need bail money, break glass. Love, Steve.
Seriously!?! That is EPIC. Thanks for the movie-history detail: I love that sort of thing.
Damn, When you have so much money that you can just decide to NOT cash a check lmao
Wow, I didn't know about that! Thank you for pointing that out. That was Amazing! ❤❤❤
Fran who?
@@dallesamllhals9161 Corrected!
Oh man, if you didn't know about King's non-Horror stuff, please check out The Green Mile and Stand By Me.
we most definitely will!
Delores Claiborne as well! Great movie.
Since we're talking King movie adaptation I'll add Pet Sematary. 1 of 2 movies that were better than the book
Stand by me (the body) is from the same book of 4 short stories as this film. 'Different seasons' is the name.
@@adampare8088The book version of Pet Sematary is way better than all of the Pet Sematary movies, in my opinion.
BTW, the line "why do they call you red?" "i dont know, maybe it's because i'm irish" was included as a joke referencing the stephen king book (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption) the movie was based on. In the book, his character was a white, red headed irish man. When they cast the role they auditioned many white red heads but after freeman auditioned, they couldn't see anyone but him in the role, despite being a black man. Yes, his nickname comes from his last name being Redding, but they included the line "maybe it's because i'm irish" as a joke referencing the original novel character.
also, my favourite detail of this movie is how when brooks leaves, the backdrop is the prison, its his whole life. when red leaves, the POV is facing out of the prison and beyond.
Wow. I've seen this movie many times and never noticed the difference in POV. I'll have to watch more closely. TY
He was also cast because besides his talent, Frank Darabont wanted him to narrate the story, in fact, this was Morgan Freeman's film narration debut.
Yup, great points made. I like that the very last words of dialogue are "I hope." And that's a callback to the conversation where Red said hope was a dangerous thing to be avoided. "I hope."
@@butkusfan23 yes I love the juxtapositioning of those lines! Also, when Brooks leaves, the view is him standing in front of the prison from which he never really escapes. When Red leaves, the camera is behind him, facing the outside world.
@@butkusfan23 Yeah, I heard the movie originally ended there with Red saying I hope, but test audiences hated that it stopped and demanded a scene where Red and Andy actually reunite, so they went back and shot that final scene on the beach where Red walks up to Andy (which is also why there's no dialogue in that scene), so audiences would have that sense of closure seeing the two men reunite.
You now see why this is the number one ranked movie on the IMDB website. They just don't make them like this anymore.
definitely worthy of that rank! 🥲
It's definitely up there. But The Green Mile would be at the top of my list.
@@josephmiller6515 Green Mile has some supernatural elements, which somehow makes it too "easy", script-wise. It's also a very good movie, but I think Shawshank is superior.
of course they don't make them like this anymore, they are already made this, no need to make it again.
@paganheart70 you misunderstand the phrase "they don't make them like this anymore"
I'm 50. Watched this movie in the theater in a time when it was all about word of mouth. I so appreciate young people embracing a classic. Nice one.
Red lecturing Andy about the dangers of hope.
Red`s last whispered sentence of the movie "I hope".
I remember watching this movie as a teenager by accident when I was sick and zapping through the TV at night cause I couldn`t sleep and I was absolutely stunned. Probably have seen it two dozen times by now, what a masterpiece.
Thabk you
You are the first reactor I've seen who caught the small, yet significant detail of the rock hammer being hidden in the book of Exodus.
I am a 71 year old pensioner and this film is recognised as a Masterpiece and rated as one of the best films ever made. Glad to see you both understand the meaning of this film. Redemption, Friendship, Love and HOPE. Please, whenever you feel down, watch this Masterpiece again and your life will be beautiful. Dave in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Not one of the best but the best on imdb top 250!
Today, in my state (Wisconsin), a warden and 8 other members of the Waupun Correctional Facility were arrested for various misconduct crimes. Four prisoners died over the past year due to the misconduct and neglect.
We may be in the 21st century, but we still have a long way to go in the struggle to eliminate prison cruelty and misconduct.
And hold criminals responsible for their crimes? Is that part of your outrage?
@@Charlesbaker3017 Going to prison, and losing your freedom is the legal punishment for crime. Not being raped, tortured and abused.
If we expect the incarcerated to rejoin society, prison should be about repairing them, not turning them into worse monsters. This fundamental understanding separates better-performing countries when it comes to low-recidivism and successful rehabilitation of former convicts into productive, law-abiding citizens vs. the USA, which is plagued by repeat offenders and new offenses being committed in prison.
Some countries like the Netherlands, are so good at rehabilitating criminals they actually have to close prisons. Funny isn't it? The countries where most people are atheists and use rational, scientific approaches to solve problems are doing better at so many social issues than the country that loves to claim Christianity as a PR foil but does not actually believe in redemption.
@@Charlesbaker3017By raping and beating them? What a strange question you ask. Prisons take away a man's freedom as punishment for his crimes but they should still be humane places.
@@alieninthecaribbean Considering how widespread essentially slave labor in prisons is and all the parties making millions off of keeping as many prisoners as possible, it becomes a lot less surprising rehabilitating prisoners isn't really on the agenda.
I did 8 years in the Wisconsin prison system. I know full well about the corruption that went, and goes on. I was lucky to avoid Waupun, but I did do time at Columbia where Dahmer and Anderson were killed.
“The last thing Norton had running thru his mind….other than that bullet…was how in the hell did Andy Dufresne ever get the better of him”
I LOVE when ol Red makes that statement! It’s funny as all hell. 😁
And to answer that, when you’re such a despicable piece of shit as he…it doesn’t take much. He entered Shawshank as Reds choice to crack, and left as his bestie!!! Movie is a masterpiece…
Fun fact…the younger Red in the mugshot was actually Morgan Freeman’s real life son.
Thanks didn't know that. I actually thought it was a real photo of a young Morgan
he's also the guy who smuggles in the rock hammer from the laundry
He's the "fresh fish....reeling em in" con, too.
"You just put a target on your back!" - Most prophetic comment ever!
A bullseye unfortunately (though unwittingly) painted by a combined effort of Elmo Blatch’s big mouth and nonexistent scruples.
He obviously planned his escape for when there is a thunderstorm
Yeah I always assumed that newspapers back then included weather forecasts.
Shawshank Redemption is the most complete film in every aspect of filmmaking. The piano refrain as Red is talking about "I hope" hits me every time.
Brooks said ought Five. As in 1905 is when he was put in Shawshank. Which is why automobiles were so new to him.
thanks for those insights 👍
Movies like this coming out when me and my friends were like 15-16 taught us a lot about real brotherhood. I still remember us talking more than once about how your real friends would look out for you like those two did. I’ve known those same 6 guys since childhood and save one who passed away we are still best friends and I’m now a few years shy of 50.
I spent 8 years in prison. Believe me, some of the guards can be extremely cruel. "Accidents" can happen and prisons are so insulated from the outside world, many things can be covered up that would surprise people who have never been a part of that world.
And, of course, we know that Internal Affairs can be so very trusted with investigations.
There’re no cameras back then so the prison can claim the inmates got injured in a fight with another prisoner.
The Rita Hayworth film they watched was "Gilda" ( 1946 ), Eric & Kailyn.
thanks for clarifying!
No problem.
Good film that one
Inmates do die in prisons today. Many times police describe their death as accidental or self inflicted. An example of this is Sandra Bland. There is another case that involved a woman and a police officer. The police officer claims she fell. Her face was bloody and teeth were missing like someone punched her repeatedly. The camera in the room with the woman cuts out with the police officer and the woman in the same room and cuts back on when she is on the ground with facial beatings and the police next to her concerned for her condition. The woman claims the police officer did attack her and there was an investigation. However, other fellow police officers "misfiled" all the evidence against the officer so the case couldn't move forward for lack of evidence. In other words evidence collected that was supposed to go in a file cabinet under a specific alphabet was placed in another file cabinet and they couldn't find it. Sometimes the police officers when they are about to talk about something illegal will say to each other with bodycams on "turn off audio." So yeah it does go on today.
And women who get pregnant in an all female facility, or female officers getting pregnant in an all male facility. My sister took the blame for her scumbag, drug dealer ex and got more time than the woman who killed her husband (in her jail). The whole system is effed. I wish they would separate violent from nonviolent offenders & house them in separate facilities. It'd be a decent start. It'd be easier to offer things like schooling and counseling to a facility of nonviolent prisoners.
10 have died in the last 3 months in the prison down the road from me .
Even high profile folk get offed in prison. Even when its blisteringly obvious. Someone who owned a certain island visited by many celebs over the years for example
This is the movie that taught me the term "institutionalized". In the most brutal way possible.
seriously 😔
So glad you noticed that the rock hammer was hidden in the book of Exodus, which is about escaping slavery. So many reactors miss that fact.
It was hidden in 5-6 different books, or more.
@@JohnH.Sturgis Yeah, but they deliberately focus on Exodus in the movie for symbolism.
While it does occupy a few more books, an escape has to start somewhere, right? The rock hammer may not have reached _Revelation,_ but Andy helped Red reach one.
...I hope.
I'm almost 60 and I bawl like a baby every time I hear Red say that at the end. Morgan Freeman's narration is mesmerizing throughout the last act.
The "truth is, I don't want to know" line after the Italian ladies are singing is probably my favorite moment.
Morgan Freeman turned 87 on June 1st, Eric & Kailyn.
The Shawshank Redemption premiered 30 years ago on September 23, 1994.
Shawshank was directed by Frank Darabont.
In his early career, he was primarily a screenwriter for such horror films as A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), The Blob (1988) and The Fly II (1989).
As a director, he is known for his film adaptations of Stephen King novellas and novels, such as The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Green Mile (1999), and The Mist (2007).
Darabont also developed and executive-produced the first season and first half of the second season of the AMC horror series The Walking Dead (2010-2011).
thanks so much for all these details! morgan freeman has has a great career, that's for sure.
@nerdymarriedcouple You are very welcome.
On another note is the new series ( SE3 drops on June 27th ) "The Bear" on your possible future reaction list ?
SE1 - 8 Episodes
SE2 - 10 Episodes
Dream Warriors was fire tho ngl.
Walking Dead dropped off after he left and finally drowned in turd juice.
I feel like this is in most people’s top 5 movies, at least. I almost forget to mention it just cause it’s such a certified classic but yeah, def one of my favorites
it deserves high praise!
The scene when the new bus of prisoners arrive and the one young guy behind the fence is mimicking a fishing pole and yelling "Reelin' 'em in, Reelin' 'em in!" is Morgan Freeman's son.
ah nice! great little easter egg
His son is also in Morgan's young mugshot too.
@@louielouie22 Which is funny to me because I don't think he looks much like his dad, really.
The photo of young Red is also Freemans son.
"They couldn't kill people like that in prisons today right?"
Two words: Smeffrey Smepstein
Not to wade into here, but it makes wayy more sense that JE decided to kill himself and they neglected the cameras to give him a window to do it. After all, he was a narcissist used to living the good life who faced certain live in prison forever. Why not do it? The conspiracy to kill him doesn't make any sense.
@@sebastianjoseph2828 Except that he'd been caught before and his powerful friends got him out of it. Why wouldn't he think that he could weasel his way out of trouble again?
@@sebastianjoseph2828 Regardless of who specifically killed him, he was very clearly needed dead because of who he could snitch on. So there's a metric ton of motive for killing him.
@AlexanderWinterborn What about him?
He was killed in prison, albeit a Russian one.
Get busy living or get busy dying😢😢😢😢
very memorable quote...
One of my favorite lines. ❤
For every guy out there who is doing it tough and feeling hopeless out there my heart and prayers go out to you. Don't walk it alone.
Have a safe Mens Mental Health Month.
If you hated the warden in this just wair til you meet Percy in the Green Mile. Makes the warden look like a choir boy.
I disagree. Percy is a sadistic prick but doesn’t have as much power as Norton. Then again, I much prefer Shawshank to the Green Mile so I’ll admit my bias 😁
@@TheBlueDragon86I prefer Shawshank too but for me the warden was just greedy and did what he had to do to keep the💲
I think maybe holding off on spoilers is the best way to go here to get a genuine reaction, don't y'all??
Not really haha both were evil
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
That's probably the best line spoken but there are many other good lines too
Here's a new sub info snack-
Brooks ended up at Shawshank after another very bad night at gambling, came home and murdered his wife and young daughter.
Red cut the brakes on his girfriends car.
Jake the bird was found dead not too long after being set free.
Love the channel, looking forward to the other Frank Darabont masterpiece - The Green Mile, also from Stephen King.
The Rita Hayworth movie is "Gilda" from 1946. The Stephen King story this movie is based on is called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption".
I would absolutely LOVE if you react to "The Green Mile" next. It's another movie based on a Stephen King novel and has the same director as Shawshank, Frank Darabont. I'm following your "Breaking Bad" journey, too. Looking forward to see you react to "Better Call Saul" after that.
we'll definitely put it on the list!!
Green Mile is good, but it's an emotional slog. One of those movies you watch once and never again. Be prepared for that.
@@normie2716This. It’s an excellent film, but emotionally draining. Still can’t do a re-watch myself. 😢
Funny, you mention Forrest Gump. This movie was released the same year. That year, Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption were all nominated for Best Picture. One of the best years for movies ever.
It's such a touching act that Red carves his name next to Brooks' in the rooming house wall. Brooks is no longer all alone by himself. The most iconic line in all of cinematic history: "You're up here in Maine and Mexico is way down there. That's nothin' but a shitty pipe dream, Andy!" says Red. Andy lived that dream and "came out clean on the other side."
YOu would think with Andy's ingenuity, he would have carved out or created some type of mask to cover his face a bit as he crawled thru the pipe.
"Stand By Me" is another great film based on a Stephen King novella that is definitely NOT a horror story.
34:56 Y’all should definitely watch “The Count of Monte Cristo” from 2002 starring Jim Caviezel. A highly underrated film. Greatest book to movie I know. Hatred, Betrayal, Jealousy, Revenge, Vengeance, Redemption, Romance all in one. One of my all-time faves :))
Great flick.
And that book is mentioned in this movie. :)
How a death from a prison guard beating death happened back than was they were buried in the prison graveyard and a notation was made in their file that the prisoner died of pneumonia.
Brubaker 1980 with Robert Redford
When i think of what a perfect movie is i think " Shawshank Redemption "
In no particular order, movies that make my perfect movie list are:
The Shawshank Redemption
The Silence of the Lambs
Good Will Hunting
Contact
Arrival
The Usual Suspects
The Game
The Matrix
Groundhog's Day
The Sixth Sense
I can watch these movies over and over and never feel anything less than captivated. Absolutely beautiful movies.
Oh! And Titanic. How'd I leave that off? Lol
@xzonia1 my top 5 perfect movie 1.Shawshank Redemption
2. Forrest Gump
3. Perfume (story of a murderer
4. City of God (Cidade de Deus)
5. Apocalypto
@@chucknorris2266 Thanks! I've never even heard of the final 3 on that list. Will have to look for them.
@xzonia1 yes you should definitely watch all 3. They are all great and highly rated .definitely a must see
Brooks says he was in since 1905. Tommy comes to the prison in 1963, the music and his look are from the 50's.
The movie Rita Hayworth is in is Gilda (1946)
"Would a pencil be a weapon?"
Me: "I'm guessing they haven't watched "John Wick" yet lol..."
Or Bourne Identity, or Casino, or... 😀
@@jnord8299 - 🤣🤣🤣
@@jnord8299 The Dark Knight, or Gross Pointe Blank or Batman (1989) - though I think that was a feather-pen, but still...
Stephan king is a master of characters. He writes them so well
Andy went to prison in 1947, however, his first encounter with Red is in 1949 as Red notes.
In the Stephen King novela "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, " the character of Red was originally Irish, however, when director Frank Darabont was casting for the film, he wanted Mogan Freeman for the role. The script was changed to address this issue. So, when Red explains his name, he quips, "Maybe it's because I'm Irish. Any reader of the Stephen King book would immediately get the joke.
No, Red says that Andy approached him after about a month to ask him for the rock hammer. That's when Red warns him about the Sisters. It was 2 years later that Andy asked him to get Rita Hayworth.
In our lifetimes, we'll probably only get a dozen or two greatest-ever films. This is one of those.
Hey, I just wanted to shout out and say THANK YOU! for picking up on the rock hammer being hidden in Exodus.
I'm not religious, but that is something I noticed the first time I saw The Shawshank Redemption. I've seen a dozen reactions and you are the first to pick up on it, well done.
This bombed in theaters. Thank GOD it got a second life on home video, where it finally found an audience and entered the pantheon of immortal classics instead of disappearing and being forgotten.
much like Doctor Sleep which is underrated in my opinion.
Frank Darabont and the whole cast and crew knocked this one out of the park. Even just watching reactions to this movie, it still gets me. Highly recommend "The Green Mile" if you haven't seen it.
Frank Darabont is a legendary director, I suggest his film "The Green Mile", also a Stephen King adaptation
we should watch that sometime in the future for sure
@@nerdymarriedcouple It's pretty much a must and a natural sequel to this. Darabont nearly perfectly adapts another Stephen King story with a stacked cast of Tom Hanks, Michael Clark Duncan and others. It's probably one of the highest watch count movies out there.
@@nerdymarriedcouple Prepare yourself for emotional torture. It ain't The Shawshank Redemption.
It's emotional torture, FYI.
Ive never seen this channel before, but Im just blown away that anyone over the age of 30, hasnt seen Shawshank, one of the greatest movies ever!
So far for me, your reactions to this film are the best, I really love your reactions ❤
Omg the looks on your faces when someone is getting beaten
Omg Kailyn!!! Such a great line you said when warden said "am I blind??" And you said "no, just obtuse."------classic and perfect!!!
I haven’t watched this in years, thanks for the excuse to revisit it!
thank you for watching with us!
Salvation lies within is the greatest line in movie history
Add the hammer hidden within the Bible in the book of Exodus. PERFECTION
I loved you guys complete reaction. You were in it from the beginning and seeing the horrendous journey that eventually became a beacon story of hope. Its true, movies like this are rarely made and your union in this movie had tears down my face. Thank you for expressing the deepest reaction to the entire movie and all the characters 👏🏽👏🏽💯
They sat on that roof drinking cold beers and felt like free men, but Morgan was the only real FREEMAN.
Rim shot!
Excellent reaction!!! Truly one of the greatest, most beloved films of all-time. It's basically up there w/ It's a Wonderful Life on that score. And I don't see that ever changing. It's been 30 years and this movie has stood the test of time. It's a classic. I may have to come back to this at a later date and make another comment. Peace...
That was why Andy wanted to know the name of the prisoner Hadley beat to death at the beginning so he could add it to his damning evidence. At that point, it was the first crime Andy witnessed at Shawshank.
Riiiiiiiight....
My first reaction of yours, and it’s a great one. Love your overall presentation and editing choices. And thanks for taking your time and not cutting it too short. So many reactors try to present something like this in 35 minutes, and it seldom works. I haven’t looked at your roster yet, but will, and I hope to watch more.
So far as prison realities, things were often horribly corrupt during earlier decades. There was very little oversight, and quite a few horror stories are documented. Guards were sometimes worse than the inmates.
"Maybe you should read that"
Oh, he definitely should lol XD
small feedback: beside the discussion of the alphabetization system and trying to remember when Kennedy was killed, which consumed too many seconds in my opinion, while dialogue was going on in the movie, it was a clean and great reaction.
Kailyn is very clever on catching clues. The look of surprise on your faces after learning of the escape was really good.
Not a single tear or a sniffle at the end of that movie...
You two are SOULLESS!
They are near to completing Breaking Bad; been plenty of very emotional reactions during those.
First reaction I’ve seen without tears to Brooks! Hearts of steel, great reaction though :)
we don't always cry at everything haha. but kailyn shed a few tears during the music scene! we're a bit unique
@@nerdymarriedcouple If you can watch Titanic without crying, then I'd say you have hearts of steel. But with Brooks, not everyone cries.
The second Stephen King/Frank Darabont collaboration is "The Green Mile." You should watch that one too.
1994 gave us Shawshank, Forrest Gump, and Pulp Fiction, The Mask... among other great movies
The Mask wasn't exactly worth mentioning
1994 had 3 bangers just from Jim Carrey. The Mask, Dumb and Dumber and Ace Ventura. Pretty good movie year.
For a couple of other great Morgan Freeman films, see Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven. Both Oscar winners directed by & co-starring Clint Eastwood.
"Would a pencil be a weapon?"
Such a simple line got me giggling lol.
If you know you know. 😂
It was for John Wick. 😂
@@caneanddawgfan4life "If you know, you know" means you don't need to say it because you know. (I should have seen the not word "dawg" in your name and realized this concept is way above your pay grade)
@@paulmartin2348 yeah well my pay grades high enough I was able to afford your old lady last night.
Red never plays the harmonic, of course, however when he arrives in Buxton looking for the oak tree, they add it to the score music. Nice touch.
Loved your reaction to this amazing movie. It is one of my favorite movies of all times. The more I re-watch it the more I notice tiny nuances that make such a strong statement. One of those things is when Brooks thinks about breaking his parole he says: "So that they would send me HOME" When Red thinks about breaking his parole he says: "So that they would send me BACK" One word makes all the difference in the world showing that there is still Hope in Red and he is not fully institutionalized like he thought. There are many small details like that in the movie It truly is a movie that is amazing on the first watch and then just gets better the more you re-watch it. Looking forward to more reactions from you. I really liked Kailyn based opinion on the movie quality of today. It is refreshing to hear an honest opinion and not just shilling for the crap that is made today. Like the garbage Disney keeps making.
P.S. An honest and well meaning advice: Do not waste your time with the Acolyte nobody who would love that reaction is worth having as a subscriber. There are so many amazing movies out there that you could watch and attract good and intelligent thinking people. I would recommend watching "Scent of a woman" another amazing classic.
I grew up with a neighbor friend who took a very different path than I did. He's been in & out of prison forever and he just got out a couple of days ago. He's got some crazy stories. He was just telling me about how he earned a bunch of "good time" from school, classes, other programs, etc. and how he should've gotten out a month or so earlier but they were dragging their feet and didn't file his paperwork in time. So, some things are different now but a lot is pretty similar. People tend to not care about what happens to prisoners. It doesn't tend to garner news articles, people just don't care as much. It's kind of sad.
The day this movie was released on video I bought it and Braveheart on Laser Disc. I watched them both 3 times over the next 24 hours. Friends came over and I had to show them both movies because they were just too good. Love them!!!
In the book Red is Irish. I believe that he mentioned "Maybe I'm Irish" in reference to the book. This was also the time when prison reform had not happened yet. Reform did not occur till the late sixties and the early 70s. I remember all the prison riots. Lastly, the redemption is about Red realizing hope.
Morgan Freeman has without a doubt, one of THE best voices for narration, he and James Earl Jones. I swear he’s been on air, tv and movies, his whole life! I’ve been watching him since he was in that PBS show, Electric Company, on air from ‘71 to ‘77. He’s one of my favorite actors with Denzel Washington, and Will Smith, being two others. They should do at least one movie together. That would go CRAZY!
One of my favorite movies of all time! I have watched so many times.Tim Robbin’s is so good as Andy, I feel he doesn’t get enough recognition
Kailyn + Eric, filmed released 1994 but some film critics slammed it. Re-released years later and people then understood the meaning of the movie. Love, friendship, redemption and hope. Glad you both understand the movie. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins made now what is acclaimed one of the best movies ever made. I am71 years old, 2024 and this without a doubt the best movie.
Loved you both, it was so obvious that you enjoyed this film. Thank you both!!!
Fun fact... the one prisoner behind the fence when Andy first arrives on the bus that says "we're reeling them in" is Morgan Freemans son
YES! Finally! A movie reaction that noticed the hammer's cutout in Andy's Bible opened on the Book of Exodus. A fitting detail.
There are several youtubers who are ex-convicts and they talk about their experiences in prison. How things are smuggled in, how they hide things, how they interact with other inmates etc.. A lot of it sounds like long-boring days of being in the same rooms and going to the same exercise yard, eating the same food and endless repetition... mixed in with some brief moments of absolute horror and violence. My plan is to never experience any of it.
I hope that plan is successful for both of us.
I remember someone noting that this is a movie about a long-lasting male friendship. That's not something you see very often depicted in movies. Plenty of "buddy movies" but not many male versions of something like "Beaches."
Shawshank Redemption, Forest Gump and Pulp Fiction were all up for best picture at the Oscars the same year. Heck of a year for movies.
The picture of Red on his Prison file is actually his Son, who is also the Con at the start, shouting Fresh Fish today.
Good afternoon. I am doing this voice to text so I hope it prints it where you can read it. The prison you see in the film is the old Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio. The cell block is also at the reformatory. The street scenes were taken in Mansfield. The halfway house is the Bissman Building which still is in Mansfield. The market is the old E & B market on Fourth Street. I was lucky enough to be an extra in the convicts in the yard. The premier was actually held in Mansfield at the Renaissance Theater before it was in California or New York. It was not widely received when it opened up because it came out the same year that Forrest Gump and some other top-notch movies came out. I am 75 years old with Parkinson’s so it’s hard for me to type. Front building that you see for the prison is now a museum along with cell Block one. You can do tours of it, they have nights that you can spend there, they have murder mysteries they hold there. The prison was also used in Tango & Cash, and was the Russian cell-block used in the Airforce One. An interesting side note is that in the winter time crows fly into Mansfield from seven or eight counties and spend the winter there, so we’re used to seeing crows all the time. Glad you liked the movie. Again I apologize as the voice to text doesn't always send the right word for me. Have a great day.
That place where most of the movie was filmed is the Ohio State Reformatory.
The man on the bus behind Tommy Williams is a retired guard from the Ohio State Reformatory.
Several real life prison guards offered to meet with Clancy Brown and advise him on how to make his performance more convincing, but he turned them down because his character is evil and he didn't want his performance to make any of them look bad.
I never hesitate to watch this great film anytime it comes on.
Easily one of the best movies ever put to film. I'm so glad you took the time to enjoy it.
They filmed this in a real prison. It was no longer used. Brooks came to Shawshank in 1905. Almost all his life was there. That's why in his letter he talks about committing a crime so he could go home, Shawshank. Things changed rapidly in the 20th century. So sad for him. 😢 It's more about Red's redemption.
Kailyn don't let Eric silence you lol. My brain does the same thing with Office references all day every day when ANYTHING happens 😅. Also we need to eventually move onto "Eric watches The Office for the first time" reactions, I'm here for it. Lol
Andy at the end of the movie:
**looks directly into the camera** AND I NEVA GOT CAUGHT NEITHER
When welcoming the new batch of Convicts Captain Hadley grabs the first man by the scruff of his shirt and says “Do you speak English Putz Steak? (Not Butt Stick) follow that guard” “Putz (alt spelling Putts same pronunciation) is a Yiddish word which represents a certain male appendage. This might help in visualising the manner in which he was actually addressing the gentleman in question.
this is the first video I've seen from you two. You both seem very smart and you don't interrupt a movie with unnecessary talking, so I'm going to subscribe.
I’ve watched a lot of reactions to this movie. I love that you caught the symbolism of the hammer being hidden in the book of Exodus. No one catches that!!
Another one of my favorite Tim Robbins films is him and Martin Lawrence in an underrated comedy called "Nothing to Lose"
The next logical step in movies to watch, if you haven't seen it already, is The Green Mile. It has the same director who adapted it from a book by the same author.
The thing with the bible and the cut-out for the rock hammer is it was the same bible that the Warden took from Andy when he visited him in his cell to "size him up."
"Captivated by beautiful things." Well said. Amazing movie, good commentary.
You ned to see Frank Darabont's other film that people watch with the Shawshank Redemption- The Green Mile (regardless if it doesn't win first place with your patreon poll).
The King's Speech (2010) is non-cynical; it's about overcoming hardship and has a happy ending for the two main characters. The Rum Diary (2012) is totally insane and even cynical, but it's about people with aspirations; the ending is more or less happy for the main character (he was played by Johnny Depp, opposite Amber Heard; they fell in love on the set). Ford vs. Ferrari (2016) has a human dimension, with auto racing in 1966 as the backdrop (I was a teenager in '66, and I remember all of those races). So, you're pretty accurate as to when movies drastically changed.
Back in the 50's and 60's, convicts were considered sub-human and anything befalling them was deserved. Very few, and even fewer in power advocated for them.
Fun fact - remember how a harmonica was a symbol of hope early on? And Red didn't feel comfortable playing it? If you listen to the entire soundtrack, you won't hear a harmonica until Red first sees the tree in the field. It then begins playing loudly and beautifully. Once Red first feels hope, we first hear the harmonica. Masterpiece.
The most heartbreaking part of this film, as brilliant as it is in so many ways. Is Brooks sitting in the park alone waiting for Jake...I can relate. I could listen to Morgan read a phonebook and be content...
-Brooks was here
This film is my all time favorite movie and I live in Maine and lived in Buxton which really looks like the movie scenes, I’ve actually been to most of the places mentioned in the movie. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie which a lot of schools use this script as an example on how to write a script the correct way because it’s so good. Next really good movie you should watch is another Stephen King one called The Green Mile when you can.