Is The Shawshank Redemption the best film ever?

London Times ^ | Christopher Goodwin

[Saije]

Frank Darabont, the director of The Shawshank Redemption, has words for the millions of people who believe his 1994 prison drama is the greatest film of all time. “I think that’s a little crackers, to be honest, especially when you think of the other films on the list.” He means films such as The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Lolita, Vertigo and foreign-language contenders like Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist, Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt, Luis Buñuel’s Belle de jour or Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant.

But, hey, pointy-headed film critics can have their high­falutin’ crushes. There’s no getting round the fact that The Shawshank Redemption, which stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, is consistently being voted the best film ever in all sorts of readers’ polls. It currently sits atop the 250 best movies of all time on the world’s most popular cinema website, imdb.com, as it has done for most of the past decade...Empire’s readers have also voted Shawshank their favourite film of all time.

What gives? How has a film set mainly in a bleak prison, in which women are barely glimpsed, by an unknown first-time director, adapted from a little-known Stephen King novella, become such an enduring crowd-pleaser? Shawshank tells the story of the friendship of two prison inmates, Andy, played by Robbins, and Red, played by Freeman. It’s a film that can make strong men — including the rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, who loves it — blub like babies and insist that they will change their lives pronto. Devotees quote its life-affirming mantras: “You can get busy living or get busy dying”; “Fear can keep you a prisoner. Hope can set you free”.

[investigateworld]

Add in Road Warrior for a complete win.

[Grizzled Bear]

“I think that’s a little crackers, to be honest, especially when you think of the other films on the list.”

That's Racist!

[Domandred]

I think I might have to agree with you on that one. Specially since I would have no problem at all showing it my kid(s) too.

[Atchafalaya]

Dr Strangelove
Breaker Morant
Gladiator...and there are many worthy to sit in #3 or #2 or #1
...I vote now

[uncle fenders]

I do think Shawshank is a piece of art as movies go..I admit though I hate scenes that are just wrong ...and the one and only scene that really bothers me is when he breaks the sewer pipe it spurts out like it was running full, but seconds later it only has a small flow in the bottom when inside..

Its just a great movie ..

[Migraine]

I would have to give it to Lawrence of Arabia.

I say "Good Call!" -- not just because I love the movie; but also because of my admiration for the director, David Lean, and his work, which includes my all-time winner, Doctor Zhivago.

[Saije]

I can’t imagine the left likes Patton too much either. Especially since he was absolutely right about the Russians.

Just watched FMJ again a couple of weeks ago, probably would say the scene where the Marines are interviewed doesn’t need to be there, except for Mother Green and her Killing Machine (Rafterman), great line.

[fso301]

I loved Red Dawn!

I did to but only placed it #1 because of the degree to which the left hates it.

[Migraine]

where Morgan Freeman is concerned. I know he's probably liberal but he doesn't make a big deal of it like Danny Glover

In trying to discern him politically, I am encouraged by his PSA spots on radio where he advocates for Ducks Unlimited. That speaks of a true conservationist's view of the environment.

[beaversmom]

Yes, love Zhivago too. David Lean was a master.

[Clemenza]

Taxi Driver and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie are my two person favorites, with runners up being Sweet Smell of Success, The Swimmer, and Annie Hall.

Never cared for the Shawshank Redemption. Middlebrow sentimental hokum thought of as "brilliant" by the same schlubs who make Will Smith a star.

[attiladhun2]

I still think it drags, and never have had the patience to see the thing to the end. The cinematography is great, but a movie's got to interest me, and "the Godfather" just never grabbed me, I guess.

[fso301]

I can’t imagine the left likes Patton too much either. Especially since he was absolutely right about the Russians.

Good point although, I can't say I've heard leftist criticisms of the movie but I sure have heard them about Red Dawn and Green Berets. They hate Red Dawn as much as they hate McCarthy.

[VOA]

“In trying to discern him politically, I am encouraged by his PSA
spots on radio where he advocates for Ducks Unlimited.”

Just to back you up Migraine, I do hear those PSA spots by
Mr. Freeman here in Mid-Missouri on the major AM station
(KFRU 1400 AM) at maybe four or five times a year.

I think he’s just an old country boy from Mississippi who worked
hard and made it big in the films.
Sure he probably voted for BHO, but then some really “educated
fools” I know did the same thing.

[eclecticEel]

Shawshank is also probably the second best movie involving male rape.

[Clemenza]

Heat = Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Ronin was even worse.

[Spaulding]

How could he have missed Blazing Saddles?

[beaversmom]

I haven’t figured out where Morgan Freeman falls on the spectrum. Seems like some things he has said, he sounds like a conservative. I think he’s against Black History month for one thing.

Found the video on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO214IFRW1M

Mike Wallace: “How are we going to get rid of racism?”

Morgan Freeman: “Stop talking about it.”

LOL :)

Love his voice. Seems like a cool guy. And he’s a good actor.

[Clemenza]

Heat = Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I can’t think of a single Michael Mann movie that ever wowed me. Ronin (not Michael Mann) was even worse.

[Migraine]

Yes, love Zhivago too. David Lean was a master.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have seen that movie 263 time and know all 3 hours, 17 minutes by heart. I know more about that movie than most of the actors who played in it. Most people who watch it today don't "get it", which is sad. I admit I'm obsessed; but I think with good reason. If you'd ever like to discuss any of its aspects, so would I.