10 things to know about 'Shawshank Redemption'

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2019)

"Shawshank Redemption" came out on Sept. 23, 1994. Here are 10 things to know about the modern classic shot at Ohio State Reformatory:
1. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1994: best picture, best actor (Morgan Freeman), best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best editing, best original score and best sound mixing. It won none.
2. "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," a novella from Stephen King's story collection "Different Seasons," was the basis for "The Shawshank Redemption." King sold the story rights for $5,000. Two other stories from King's book also were turned into Hollywood films, "Stand By Me" and "Apt Pupil."
3. "Shawshank" director Frank Darabont went on to direct "The Green Mile" (1999), another prison film based on a Stephen King story. He also developed and executive produced the AMC zombie series "The Walking Dead."
4. Made for $25 million, "The Shawshank Redemption" only grossed $28 million during its theatrical release. The film has been successful on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray and cable television.
5. While the character of Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding was written by Stephen King as a middle-aged Irishman with graying red hair, director Darabont cast Freeman for his solid presence. Previously, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood had been considered for the role.
6. "The Shawshank Redemption" is No. 1 on IMDb's user-chosen list of Top 250 films, a ranking it has held since 2008, when it bumped "The Godfather" from the top spot. It is not the only 1994 movie in the top 10. "Pulp Fiction" starring Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis is at No. 8. "Forrest Gump," which beat "Shawshank" for the Best Picture at the Academy Awards, is No. 12. Two other 1994 movies, "Leon: The Professional" and "The Lion King" are in the top 250 at No. 29 and No. 33, respectively.
7. Andy and Red's opening conversation in the prison yard took nine hours to shoot, with Morgan Freeman (Red) pitching a baseball throughout. The next day the actor appeared on set with his arm in a sling.
8. Tom Hanks and Kevin Costner both turned down the role of Andy due to their respective commitments to "Forrest Gump" and "Waterworld."
9. The Danish title for "The Shawshank Redemption" translates to "A World Outside." The Italian title means "The Wings of Freedom." The Israeli title means "Walls of Hope." In Taiwan, the film was released as "1995: Fantastic."
10. Freeman's voice-over narration for "Shawshank" was recorded before filming began, then played on the set to create the rhythm of each scene.