“The Shawshank Redemption” : A Tale of Hope and Redemption

Plot Summary:
The Shawshank Redemption,” directed by Frank Darabont, is a gripping American drama film based on Stephen King’s novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.” The story revolves around Andy Dufresne, a successful banker wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Sentenced to life imprisonment at Shawshank State Penitentiary, Andy spends nearly two decades behind bars. Despite maintaining his innocence, he faces the harsh realities of prison life.

•   Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins): 
•   A resourceful banker who becomes a prisoner at Shawshank.
•   Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman): 
•   A long-term inmate and Andy’s close friend. Red serves as the film’s narrator and provides insight into prison life.
•   Warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton): 
•   The strict and corrupt warden who oversees Shawshank.
•   Captain Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown): 
•   The brutal captain of the prison guards.
•   Tommy Williams (Gil Bellows): 
•   A young inmate who plays a crucial role in the plot.
•   

Production and Inspiration:
• Frank Darabont acquired the rights to King’s novella in 1987 but faced delays in bringing it to the screen.
• The screenplay was written in just eight weeks.
• With a budget of $25 million, Castle Rock Entertainment greenlit the production.
• Filming took place in Ohio, primarily at the Mansfield Reformatory, a former prison.
• Roger Deakins’ cinematography captures the stark beauty of the prison environment.
Legacy and Critical Acclaim:
• Despite modest box office returns, the film received widespread critical praise.
• It gained popularity through cable TV, VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray releases.
• “The Shawshank Redemption” remains IMDb’s highest-rated film, with an average score of 9.3 out of 10.
• The American Film Institute included it in their list of the 100 greatest films.
In summary, “The Shawshank Redemption” is a timeless tale of friendship, resilience, and the enduring power of hope within the confines of a prison cell.

“Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” Summary:
The novella follows Andy Dufresne, a former bank vice president wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover.
He ends up at Shawshank State Penitentiary, a brutal prison ruled by a sadistic warden. Within the prison,
Andy befriends Red, a long-term inmate who narrates the story. Despite the harsh conditions,
Andy maintains hope and resilience.

Stephen King
Stephen King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine, USA. He is an acclaimed American author known as the “King of Horror.” While horror is his primary genre, he has also explored suspense, crime, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. King has written over fifty novels, more than two hundred short stories, and nine collections of short fiction. His debut novel, “Carrie” (1974), catapulted him into the horror genre, but he has also ventured beyond it with works like “Different Seasons” (1982), a collection of four novellas. King’s influence extends far beyond literature; several of his works have been adapted into successful films, including “The Shining,” “Misery,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” and “It.” He has also published nonfiction, including the acclaimed memoir “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” King’s impact on literature has earned him prestigious awards, such as the 2003 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts.

Critic
The Shawshank Redemption is a production that contains messages about humanity through prison life and system, and reveals what humans can and cannot achieve.

The Shawshank Redemption, or in Turkish the Shawshank Redemption, has been at the top of the IMDB Top 100 list for a long time. The film, which tells the story of the spiritual and worldly salvation of two life-sentenced prisoners, also draws attention with its approach to systems.
Before moving on to the movie adapted from Stephen King's story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", I would like to touch upon some important points, as in every article. If we start from 1947, II. It is necessary to talk about the post-World War II period, Roosevelt and Truman.
Franklin Roosevelt was undoubtedly one of the most interesting leaders in American History. Roosevelt, who talked about a new order (New Deal) throughout the election campaign, was talking about three arrangements that needed to be made. This new order, which envisages providing job opportunities to the unemployed, revitalizing the economy, and finally securing it with a financial system that will not be affected by crises, was appreciated by different circles and attracted the attention of many groups, regardless of whether there was a difference of opinion. Roosevelt, who kept his word upon becoming president and ended the Great Depression and provided employment opportunities for 2 million unemployed people in the second year of his presidency, made new regulations, especially taxes, to protect the economy that was starting to recover. He received criticism from many quarters for the war policy he pursued throughout his presidency. The effective policy it followed in the war enabled America to become a leader rather than an ally. In the post-war period, Truman had to carry this burden that Roosevelt shouldered.
America, which gained the upper hand during the war with its effectiveness and came close to putting an end to European domination in its own way, became the world financial center. Truman, who had to keep this leadership and his connections with the outside intact in order to survive in the order established by Roosevelt, did not have many options. He had to create a new crisis to bring a new order to the country, but the American people could not accept such a situation. For this reason, it was necessary to overcome all obstacles to the established order. Russia and its supporters, led by Lenin, were declared enemies on the grounds that they negatively affected America's "foreign-dependent" economic structure, and as a result, the Cold War period began. In this process, America tried to strengthen its economy as much as possible and used every means necessary to achieve this.
During the Cold War, America remained away from focusing on its own domestic issues. As a result, a structure that could not be kept under control emerged. During the period when taxes and tax regulations remained in the background and war preparations and intimidation gained importance, the class that suffered especially from the new order decided to use this opportunity to become stronger and regain independence. He achieved his goal as the war continued.
When we look at The Shawshank Redemption in the light of all this information, many different points and criticisms that are interconnected like a spider web stand out. In my opinion, the most obvious of these is the prison itself.

Prison means a different world. It's a completely different world behind closed doors, where the order is different. In the world where those in control are administrators and prisoners are governed, although there are rules set by the state, these rules can be tightened, relaxed or ignored due to lack of inspection.As a prison, Shawshank is a structure where the rules are not applied as they should be and there is a system and hierarchy. Although this hierarchical order is basically divided into two as manager and managed, it becomes more detailed with its subheadings. In the group where the warden is at the top and manages everyone, he is followed by the chief guard and those below him, respectively. They are also ranked among themselves according to their hardness and experience. The situation is different for another group, the governed. No one is brought to his position by anyone, prisoners under the same conditions achieve their own positions. For example, those who meet the demands of the prisoners and have connections with the "other" world are at the top, while those who have no qualifications for prison conditions continue their existence at the bottom, literally as slaves. Those who can make a difference - which usually benefits their superiors - can find a place at the top in this ranking as long as their usefulness continues. If we talk about how this system works in the movie, Andy, who was a nobody when he came to prison, makes a special place for himself when he starts to use his knowledge about banking and the financial policies of the state and becomes useful. Andy, who is needed by everyone living in the "other" world - that is, the ruling class - continues his prison life in a position no one else has, with opportunities no one else has, thanks to his usefulness. On the other hand, Red has a reputation as a man who gets the inmates what they want. Red, who has managed to secure himself with the help he provides to the guards, that is, those above him, as well as the services he provides to the prisoners, does not neglect to make his own life and those of his friends easier through the relationships he establishes.Another important character in The Shawshank Redemption, Principal Norton, uses the power he has and the opportunities provided by making the rules himself. Taking advantage of the freedom the system offers, Principal Norton offers some privileges to Andy and enslaves him without using pressure. However, at the point where situations change and when his good intentions are abused, he uses the power he has in an overwhelming way, reminding him where he is in the hierarchical order.
If we consider the prison system, its dynamics and especially the period in which the story takes place, the experiences and changing situations become a little more interesting. The prison reflects a medieval atmosphere at first sight. It primarily brings to mind the feudal order, as a land that looks like a mansion but spreads over large lands. Just like in a feudal state, there are different rules outside and different inside, and the person who enforces these rules is certain: Director Norton.However, due to the periodic conditions they are in, different factors also show themselves in the story. To exaggerate these little details a bit, there is an ironic social agreement in prison – which is how almost all of them work. If we look at it as simple communism, every individual in the prison environment works for the benefit of the prison. They are all part of that world, they are all workers in that world. While the guards maintain order and protect the welfare of the community (as in the relationship between Andy and the Sisters), the remaining group works to ensure production. So, we can say that there is an order based on labor. However, over time, when Andy's merits in the financial field are realized, things change and this community, which is barely self-sufficient behind closed doors, begins to open up to the outside world and get involved in the competitive environment there. Even though this opening-up plan was later destroyed by Andy, there are still some changes in the social structure. If we look at this exaggerated comment by Stephen King, we can comment that in a sense the American system will prevail over the Soviet system. Considering that the strong take control and destroy the weak, we can say that King is a supporter of America, but if we look at other aspects of the story and the author's other stories, it seems that the situation is not as clear as it seems. That's why it is necessary to look more carefully at other points of the story.

If we continue to work on the characters, it is necessary to address Andy both first and last. Because he has a distant relationship with all the other characters and all the events. But before we get into that, I want to focus on Red first. As everyone knows, racism has an important place in American History, but its place in this story is a little different. Red and his friends, whom we first see in the story, are together without caring about any ethnic identity. Being black and white or having faith or not has no meaning for them. The reason why black people are only from the ruled section is a result of the other world, it has nothing to do with the newly established system of the created world. Additionally, there does not seem to be any different treatment for black people inside the prison; the only people there are either prisoners or guards. If we consider its relationship with the changing system, that is, the developments in the outside world, after a certain point genetics gives way to money, just like in the aristocracy-bourgeoisie relationship.Red, on the other hand, makes a place for himself by gaining respect with his money, just like a bourgeois. From this point of view, the New Order sees an environment where everyone can be anyone, just like the American Dream. A time when money trumps everything. Speaking of the American Dream, let's continue, there are two kinds of references made through Brooks. The first is the American Dream, the emphasis that everyone can be someone, everyone can be important in the prison environment, and on top of this, the unlivable conditions and corruption of the outside world are commented on. Secondly, due to this importance, the concepts of being a part of a team and being useful and providing benefit come to the fore, which again brings to mind the role of work and labor.Coming back to Andy, we encounter many different criticisms and references.
The first of these is Andy's identity in the outside world. He becomes an insignificant person in the prison territory and the prison system compared to the importance he has as a banker (White collar) in the American soil. When looked at from this perspective, we can see an understanding that thinks that even money will one day lose its importance, this system will one day change and become worthless, and values ​​will shift in a different direction. However, despite this understanding, if we consider that Andy escaped from the closed doors of the prison thanks to his identity and abilities, and also the place of the word "redemption" in the economy, we can reach an interpretation of the necessity for the continuity of the system for salvation.
We can say that Andy, who upsets all the balances in the story, is actually causing trouble in a sense. Andy, who is similar to the American State in that it reaches out as much as possible as a result of the economic policy that develops with the changing order and therefore interferes in many places, manages to indirectly intervene in the order in the prison. With this intervention, the old system is disrupted and an opportunity for innovations and a new order arises.

If we examine the character of Andy from a more spiritual perspective, we first need to pay attention to the word redemption. The word, which has a religious meaning of salvation, reaches different meanings when associated with Andy's actions. So much so that the fact that the hammer is hidden in the Bible becomes a little more obvious considering that Principal Norton, who says he believes in religion, states that the Bible is necessary for salvation in the scene where he gives the Bible back to Andy. In addition to all this, Andy's constant talk of hope and light reveals the role of faith in the story. If we consider this issue of belief from a worldly perspective first, prison is shown as a place to be escaped from. The fact that the person who did this was a banker, that is, one of the important parts of America's new order, sends a message that salvation is possible with economic power. I will touch upon the spiritual dimension of the issue of salvation later because it is more important to me. Before moving on to her, I would like to mention Rita Hayworth.
Rita, one of the important stars of American cinema, especially of Roosevelt's era, has two important reasons. Firstly, the campaign for the 4th atomic bomb, also known as Gilda during the war, was made through him. In other words, Rita means a savior who ends the war. Secondly, Rita has an important role in the escape cinema of the Hollywood world, that is, she is a character who gives people dreams and impossible things rather than reality. For this reason, as an important actress representing America, Rita's ability to achieve the impossible is a biased approach.
The most basic reference to the crow in The Shawshank Redemption is the Birdman of Alcatraz. Besides this character, which is similar to Brooks, the fact that the bird is a crow is an indication that it carries different meanings. First of all, it is necessary to remember that the crow is generally a sign of bad things, most often death. Likewise, we can say that there is a foreshadow (we can translate it as a foreshadowing) regarding owner Brooks' suicide. However, the main point that needs to be mentioned is the relationship between the crow and Andy. During the meal, he makes a deal with Jake, who we can interpret as Death, that is, the Devil in a sense (in this process, we can also see Andy as America).We can also see the relationship between Andy and Principal Norton as an evil relationship with Shawshank's manager, since the "evil" that Andy mentioned before is a familiar symbol, the crow, and in the context of the story, it means the principal. However, the relationship between Jake and Andy is different, as they are both injured apprentices when they arrive at the prison. One is hurt by the injustice he suffered, the other is hurt by the incident he experienced, but both heal and mature over time.

When we proceed a little further and come to more complex parts, the relationship between the owner and the "goods" stands out. So much so that when Brooks releases Jake, he surrenders to death by committing suicide because Jake (i.e. the symbol of evil and death) does not return to him; He sacrifices himself to death, which he nurtured and matured. Likewise, Principal Norton releases Andy when he gives him his property, which he feeds and protects, the Bible and the hammer inside, and resorts to an exceptional behavior, and since he does not come back, he commits suicide, just like Brooks.Towards the end of The Shawshank Redemption, Red says, "…some birds aren't meant to be caged."The quote clearly reveals the relationship between Jake and Andy. If we approach this issue through America, it can be interpreted that the parts of the prison system sacrifice themselves because of it and give up the representation of the old order they established.
I would like to skip the clear and obvious references that are understood by everyone and touch upon the point that I care most about, which is the pile of spiritual references made through Andy. While taking these criticisms into consideration, I would like to remind you that the relationship between Andy and America can be taken into consideration when necessary.
Andy's main role in the story is that of playing god. It shows us a character who constantly plays God and tries to be God with his thoughts, actions and attitudes. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to Andy's attitude towards roof repair. So much so that he puts himself in danger like Jesus, standing there trying to be useful to himself and his friends.Andy's famous taste in stone carving is also part of a divine reference.Andy creates figures from stone – which is the substance of the earth.Just like God created man, Andy can also shape and create. As for the Library, it is also a part of this reference. So much so that, with the library, it creates a world where people can live and be free, and puts itself in a position above them without them realizing it. He offers them an opportunity to be thankful.Giving lessons to Tommy and guiding him is also an act that can be attributed to theism. However, there are two main events that make this issue clear. The first of these is that Andy enters the room as a god, locks himself and makes the prisoners listen to music. The fact that the piece was specifically chosen from The Marriage of Figaro (Figaro accepts being a servant in order to take revenge on Bartolo, who stole the woman he loves from him, and to win Rosina back, and eventually manages to kidnap her) strengthens this thesis. But the real event is the torture that Andy goes through like Jesus, the two-month period in the hole. However, the fact that there is no change in his ideas, that he does not change his attitude, and that he does not have redemption show that he is as strong as Jesus. In addition to all this, the fact that he constantly talks about light, hope and dreams of salvation reveals that he leads like Christ.
Of course, The Shawshank Redemption touches on many other points, but I didn't feel the need to focus on these superficial little details. In fact, the issue of tax evasion is one of them for me, because after the information at the beginning of the article, there is no need to bother about this issue again. Again, the issue regarding the judicial system has the same status. However, as we approach the end, there is one issue I would like to specifically point out, and that is the complex thoughts that Stephen King experienced and the impact they caused on people. So much so that the confusion he experienced had such an impact on the story, the scriptwriter and the director that a supporter emerged that I cannot fully interpret.While The Shawshank Redemption tolerates communism on the one hand, it also denigrates, despises and degrades it. In my opinion, the reason for this is the pressures and ideas imposed on him during his time. It is a beautiful film, an enjoyable film, a film that allows for different interpretations as one goes deeper, but when viewed as a story, it is incomplete and complex. To be honest, The Shawshank Redemption is not a movie that deserves to be at the top of the list, and critics' comments also hold the same opinion. If the side characters had been given bigger roles, if the story had had a more realistic ending, if it had not been so provocative and theistic, it might have lived up to its praise. However, this has nothing to do with the film, the director and the actors; Debates continue that the story does not deserve the place it is in because of the author and the fragments of the confusion he experienced. Think about these while watching, have a good time.