Morgan Freeman is absolutely brilliant, both as the narrator and a prisoner.
Tim Robbins’ performance is like nothing I’ve seen him do before or since…Andy Dufresne is a monument of resiliency, ingenuity, and complete determination.
The idea and script are brilliant and the whole “experience” is compelling. A true cinematic achievement.
Parts of this are extraordinarily moving and/or extraordinarily sad…films that actually make me SAY “Wow…”…not just think it…are quite rare.
The warden and the head guard are pure sadists that hide behind the Bible, but there’s nothing Christian about them. MUST be pure fiction, of course…I mean, people in positions of power flagrantly and sadistically abusing their power??? Some of the guards are very decent people…in all seriousness, both things are just as completely believable.
The effectiveness of patience and humility over pride.
Epic.
Inspirational Quote: “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still…the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone.”
Grade: A+
6/12/14: Thinking back to it, and on it, the roof scene seems a bit contrived. The dialogue seems weak during the exchange and the guard’s performance is wooden. That’s always sort of bugged me, and I think it’s bad enough to make me alter my grade. Still a great movie, but it could’ve used just a tiny bit more polish to the script. Grade: A
8/8/14: Robbins holds his own with Morgan Freeman. By the
middle I can’t even remember the tarring scene. Good enough for me.
Epic. And thank you for making me cry, again.
IQ2: “There’s something…inside…that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. That’s yours.”
Grade: A+
One of my favorite Steven King adaptions. Definately one of the closest to the book. There are entire scenes where the dialogue and/or monologue are taken right from the book.