James Whitmore has a fabulous supporting role as Brooks, the old con gathering dust in the prison library. All the elements fall into place on this excellent film. Roger Deakins provides eloquent support for director Darabont with flawless and restrained cinematography. Darabont and Deakins develop their own language of film with subtle use of camera movement. The score written by Thomas Newman, which weaves a haunting recurring theme, provides the proper measure of uplifting spirit to serve the story to best effect.
Resolution is extracted to the fullest.
The punchy picture is perfectly balanced. Dark prison cells or the ice blue of the prison yard are rendered accurately. Shadow is revealing in every circumstance. Color saturation is vibrant with no hint of smearing. The range of skin tones is outstanding.