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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
The Shawshank Redemption
the one line review:
fine book to film conversion
the overview
It's no secret that book to film conversions tend to be a pile of shite, simply not capturing the original tension and drama of the source. Even recent conversions, such as Lord of the Rings didn't really capture the atmosphere of the written equivalent.
But Stephen King books have a habit of turning into good films, and Shawshank might be the best of the bunch.
the plot:
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank prison for the murder of his wife and wife's lover. As he settles in to prison life, he makes friends with Red (Freeman) and starts to make a name for himself.
the verdict:
I won't say any more about the plot because it's something you should experience for yourself. The film is nothing less than a must-see. The performances are stellar, the depiction of the time period fantastic, and the individual characerisations, from Andy, to the the warden, to the incidental characters, it's all done really well.
The ending is even a little unsuspected, but satisfying. It's masterful stuff. And No.2 in the IMDB all-time list.
The point of the story is clear - it tells a story about hope, and the every man should have hope. That even in the face of adversity, the individual can succeed.
You must watch this film. Simple.
If you like this, you might also like The Green Mile, a similarly majestic Stephen King book to film conversion. I've read both books and seen both films and can vouch for the fact that the conversion in each case is extremely faithful.
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