I don't know why I had to wait eight years to see it.

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2002)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS***

One of my friends raved about this film so I looked it up on IMDB and there it was at no 2 in the top 250 movies with over 42000 people giving it 10 out of 10 so I gave it a try and wished I had watched it years ago.
Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Red both give first class performances and the friendship that develops between them is heartfelt, Especially when you feel that two people of completely different social standings that would not pass the time of day on the outside world bond so well in the confinements of shawshank prison. There is no facetious acting and even the scenes where Andy is violated by the `sisters' there are no grisly scenes but still the viewer is left in no doubt what took place. some people call it bland but to me it adds to the appeal of the film and in-keeping with time scale the film was set in.
This story appeals on so many levels and I can see why its in the top ten films in IMDB and the tag line It takes a strong man to save himself, and a great man to save another completely captures the film essence and I know it will not be 8 years before I watch it again. But having to wait years to watch it I must qualify for the sadster of the year award !!
9/10