A riveting story of Hope and Oppresion

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2013)

The Shawshank Redemption is an impressive story that focuses on two themes. The main theme is a heart-warming story of perseverance and redemption. The sub-theme is more akin to an exposé of the penal system and the horrors that it creates. These two themes intermingle throughout the entire film until it ends with an anti-climactic revelation that Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) has not only beaten the system, personified in Warden Norton (Bob Gunton), but has also managed to save another inmate, 'Red' (Morgan Freeman), from death. The director and producer work together in an impressive combination of screenplay, lighting, sound and editing. I won't spend too much time on the screenplay, simply because I cannot do it justice. However, the writing and acting were impressive to say the least. The actors mingled in a way that very effectively reinforced the two themes stated above. During their time at Shawshank the actors progressively lose their vitality and morality. As the movie progresses all the characters show the oppressive effects of the penal system, both when it is used as designed as well as when it is abused by the Warden. Andy is no exception to this rule. I feel that the film is designed to show us that Andy would be destroyed by Shawshank as well, if he hadn't found the means to be free of it. Lighting and color were another medium that the director took advantage of to portray the misery and glory of Andy's story at Shawshank. The Shawshank Redemption was filmed with a strong preference for harsh lighting. Very rarely in the film is anyone portrayed graciously, even our main character is exemplified for his flaws. The color choices were even more indicative of the harsh realities of Shawshank prison. The prison is practically gray-washed, and would have been almost as effective if it were filmed in black-and-white. This strongly supported the sub-theme that speaks against the penal system. However, when Andy makes the choice to do something with what little freedom he has, there is a significant change in the color of the film. This is most notable in the opening and expansion of the library. During these scenes the lighting and color of the film seems to brighten considerably, showing the viewer that Andy's perseverance of attitude and self-improvement have a distinct effect on the nature of even Shawshank's oppressive walls. The sound and narration of the film also relate well to the film. The sound effects in the film are universally harsh lending weight to the oppressive atmosphere. The stark grinding of metal bars on stone, or the shuffling of inmates feet are sounds that are good examples of this. The narration serves a dual nature. It is almost necessary just to speed the progress of the film that covers a number of years of imprisonment. However, it also teaches us a lot about the history of Shawshank. The narrator's voice is old and seems weighed down with Red's own battle at Shawshank. However, it also holds a measure of Hope, a feeling that seems foreign to the gray walls of the prison. This duality of emotion exemplifies the nature of the war between the two themes of Hope and Oppression.