This should be in everyone's permanent collection.

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2010)

I haven't seen too many movies that I would rate a 10, but I had no problems giving this one top score.
Movie-making seems to be like golf; for a truly excellent game, ALL the elements must come together. Everyone involved must have perfect "form". Director, Darabont, must have been at the top of his game when he put this gem together. Of course the actors were excellent; Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins seldom disappoint. The thing that makes this movie exceptional is that Darabont coaxed the best performances out of the supporting actors also. Bob Gunton and Clancy Brown were utterly believable (and bad guys don't come much worse than them).
The other essential ingredient for a successful movie is simple: It must have a well thought out plot with a perfect beginning, middle and end. So many movies fall over by getting at least one of these aspects wrong. Not so with Shawshank Redemption. Just like Goldilocks said, "This is just right!" Buy this one for your home collection because you'll definitely want to see it again.