I just watched The Shawshank Redemption for the first time

[Syrinx]

Yeah, I'm only 14 years late to the party, but DAMN that was good! I've got a "new" favorite movie. It wasn't much like I expected.

Actually I missed about the first half-hour. If I go back and watch it from the beginning, will it change how I think of the story?

And is it based on a book? If so, I'd like to read it.

I don't know if such a story was possible during the time the movie was set. But it's oddly discomforting to know that such a thing would be totally impossible today. Tim Robbins' character would be screwed with today's technology, and the way that it is being used.

[SeattleGirl]

1. "Shawshank" is a great movie!

It's based on a short story by Stephen King, "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption".

Edited to add: If you liked Shawshank and haven't seen "The Green Mile" (also by Stephen King), I would definitely recommend that one too. Both the book and the movie are quite good.

[Syrinx]

2. wow!

I never would've guess Stephen King had anything to do with it. Not that I have anything against him, but it sure didn't seem "Stephen Kingish" to me!

Thanks!

[SeattleGirl]

3. His work has changed over the years.

And please re-read my initial response, as I added something to it.

[Syrinx]

4. I did.

And I will do. :hi:

[SeattleGirl]

5. Cool.

I bet you'll like it.

And if you can get hold of the DVD with extras, watch them too, especially the one about how they made the movie. I love those extras.

[cemaphonic]

17. Actually 3 of the novellas from that collection (Different Seasons) have been made into films

The Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me
Apt Pupil

[driver8]

18. Stand By Me is another great film.

I never saw Apt Pupil, but the story was very interesting and creepy.

[cemaphonic]

19. Me either - It's reputed to be not very good.

Too bad, because the story was interesting, and the cast and director have good track records.

[fizzgig]

24. the movie was terrible

which was disappointing because the story is so good

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. 'The Green Mile' is wonderful

But that one scene, man... :scared:

[SeattleGirl]

7. Oh gawd! I know that scene!

Total freak-out! Bugged the bejebus outta me. :scared:

[dembotoz]

8. have you been in a coma??

seems like that movie is on tv every 20 minutes

[suninvited]

13. I haven't seen it either.

I think I am going to order it, now.

[meegbear]

9. Fah! Read the story 'Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption' ...

I read it years ago and I think the imagination is much better than a movie.

Bonus: If you do get the book (Different Seasons by Steven King), the first story is 'The Body', which is the movie Stand By Me.

[geiger]

10. It is a spectacular movie.

I am not a big movie person, but I have watched that movie several times (I still leave the room when the young man gets killed off by the warden, though--I think that is the most heartbreaking scene in movie history).

Also, I learned recently that "the tree" is about twenty minutes from where I live. It's at Malabar Farm made famous by American author and farmer Louis Bromfield.

[redqueen]

15. Spoiler ^

[Lady President]

21. Malabar Farms?

I didn't know that! Malabar Farms is only about an hour from me. My dad worked for the Dep't of Corrections in Ohio for decades and had been to the prison in Mansfield dozens of times, but I didn't realize that other parts of the film were shot in the area.

Today is my day for learning random trivia. :D

[geiger]

25. And I forgot totally about the Mansfield piece, duh. Thanks for the reminder.

[geardaddy]

11. Yep.

Excellent movie!

[mnhtnbb]

12. OMG. One of my all time favorite movies. "Hope is a good thing."

I can't count the number of times I've seen the movie and will still watch it--all the way through--
if it's on without commercials.

[redqueen]

14. Definitely read Different Seasons.

King is so much more than just a horror novelist, though he is the best modern writer of that genre.

He's just an amazing writer period. His characters are unmatched IMO.

Another one of his that may surprise you is The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

[graywarrior]

22. Tom Gordon is my favorite King book

[redqueen]

23. Isn't it great?

My sister doesn't like horror, so I told her to read that one. She was blown away. She thought he was just some throwaway pulp writer. Bah.

[graywarrior]

27. I put off reading it for a long time

It was the best planned plot and end of a story ever.

[driver8]

26. I haven't heard of that one -- will have to check it out. n/t

[Shell Beau]

16. It was an immediate favorite after I watched it.

Truly a great great movie.

I also love that it was narrated by Morgan Freeman. His voice is velvet.

[lunatica]

20. If you channel surf, you will never again be able to skip it when you encounter it..

And yes, you missed something by not watching the whole thing. So watch the whole thing.