It's a movie that you will watch. and again, and again....

Rating: 10/10 (15 May 2017)

It's amazing that such an "old" movie without the theatrical super effect that we see nowadays in any action movie, is still holding strong in its reviews and critics. There is only one reason for this: SUPERB ACTING!!! While Tim Robbins appears to be the main characters and leading man, the show is being stolen again and again by Morgan Freeman. But they do complement each other so much that I could not envision this movie without both of them in their respective roles. The rest of the cast, come and go throughout the movies and bring additional drama, emotions and a greater sense of what life could be in prison, either if you are the prisoner or guard.
Of course there are parts of the movie that are a bit "far-fetched", but you know you are watching a movie, not a real-life drama so it's easily forgiven as it brings deeper enrichment to the movie.
SPOILER ALERT: My best scene is when Red (Morgan Freeman) is getting the envelope that Andy (Tim Robbins) left him by the Oak Tree. He scans around to ensure that he is not being watched and he opens the envelope very carefully, while continuing to look around to ensure no one is watching him. What an amazing actor to be able to portrait that sense of distrust of everything, after spending so much time in prison where it becomes a fact of life to always "look over your shoulder". I'm always in awe of his acting whenever I come upon this scene.
I have seen this movie way back in 1994...and probably at least 10 more times since then...and whenever I flick channels on the TV ( in the odd time I watch "real" TV) and see Shawshank Redemption playing...I just can't stop myself to watch it again!