The Shawshank Redemption

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: September 1, 1994

8.9	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 2134 Ratings

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User Reviews

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brieflyJul 22, 2013

I've never understood the love given to this pile of prison cliches. Yes, the leads are good actors, but that doesn't make the movie much better. I read an Esquire poll once that listed this as one of the male voters' top 10 movies of allI've never understood the love given to this pile of prison cliches. Yes, the leads are good actors, but that doesn't make the movie much better. I read an Esquire poll once that listed this as one of the male voters' top 10 movies of all time, and after the listing, Esquire wrote (huh?) couldn't agree more.… Expand

18 of 34 users found this helpful1816

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JLeighJun 25, 2015

The most over rated film of all time, riddled with plot holes and plagued with sloppy scripting. Not terrible, but not worth watching unless you have a morbid curiosity to see what the fuss is all about and certainly not worth a second viewing.

15 of 29 users found this helpful1514

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GabrielHU3ttdz6Jul 28, 2017

A parody of better movies. This movie was made for people with no brains or low intellect. It doesn't even deserved an Oscar nomination. Maybe that's why in serious lists, this isn't even in Top 100.

16 of 31 users found this helpful1615

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ChristianityOct 10, 2015

This film is awful simply because the bad guy, the prison governor or warden , is a "devout" Christian. A genuine devout Christian would not force the Holy book on anyone or have such a character! This film is to braiwash the masses, this isThis film is awful simply because the bad guy, the prison governor or warden , is a "devout" Christian. A genuine devout Christian would not force the Holy book on anyone or have such a character! This film is to braiwash the masses, this is why it got such a high status among the satanists who run this industry. Typical Holywood industry BS demonising Christianity and none bats an eyelid! Could holywood ve make a film where the Christian is the good guy and the muslim or jew are the bad guy? Oh no, if it was made it wouldnt be released, if it was released there would be a huge cry of lack of PC. Christians all over think this is a good movie! Christians cant not see the wood for the trees because they have been mind programmed to follow the herd of imbeciles bred to comsume and make the 1% theri master. Holywood is evil. Wake up folks.… Expand

15 of 30 users found this helpful1515

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andreekaMar 6, 2015

the worst film ever made.the character is dull, the story are pretty mediocre. just pointless for 2.5 hours. it waste my time. i really dont understand why people vote this rubbish so highly

16 of 35 users found this helpful1619

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CarlJonJan 18, 2018

A bad movie famous because of IMDb. Nobody knows how that movie is there, actually. Everyone knew how thist movie was gonna end.

9 of 17 users found this helpful98

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GrahalMay 31, 2018

How this movie is at the top of IMDb top 250 nobody knows, but one thing is certain: **** movie made for people with low IQ get excitation. Maybe that's why I don't like it.

Often cited as “my absolute favourite movie” by people who collectHow this movie is at the top of IMDb top 250 nobody knows, but one thing is certain: **** movie made for people with low IQ get excitation. Maybe that's why I don't like it.

Often cited as “my absolute favourite movie” by people who collect cuddly toys and probably still support the death penalty.

Shawshank famously became a sleeper hit on DVD sales after bombing in the cinema. Because of this (and the millions of fake accounts on IMDb), it has acquired a reputation as ‘The People’s Choice’. And this just makes it even more irritating.

Fanboys will tell you how they’ve seen it 17 times and talk about its deeper themes that touch on hope, identity and what it is to be human.

In reality its Clinton Cards cod philosophizing is laid on so thick it’s like being waterboarded with Dairylea triangles, while its hokey and unrelenting voiceover, that punctuates the action like pins and needles, should have won Morgan Freeman a Werther’s Originals contract.

The cartoonish 1D characters – saintly, good-hearted folk who get kicked around by the cartoonish devils oppressing them and its facile depiction of prison life it makes The Wonder Years look like Angela’s Ashes.

Time drags as if you’re doing a sentence of your own. Remember this was adapted from a short story and boy does it show. And the twist? Like the film itself, it thinks it's clever but ultimately just feels like a cheap trick to distract you from how dull the previous two hours have been. A modern fairy tale.… Expand

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

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BennyMFeb 8, 2009

Extremely overrated. Morgan Freeman gave a nice performance however Tim Robbins possessed no emotion whatsoever and I cared little if even at all for any of the characters. Not particularly well written with a warm message that is delivered Extremely overrated. Morgan Freeman gave a nice performance however Tim Robbins possessed no emotion whatsoever and I cared little if even at all for any of the characters. Not particularly well written with a warm message that is delivered over an overly long period of time.… Expand

4 of 58 users found this helpful

QuinnC.Nov 25, 2007

Freeman is 'red' freedom character searching for nothing but to pace his life in prison. Robins is a robin hood who does more strength than the hero, he becomes a prisoner, also a librarian, teacher, friend, and smart banker who Freeman is 'red' freedom character searching for nothing but to pace his life in prison. Robins is a robin hood who does more strength than the hero, he becomes a prisoner, also a librarian, teacher, friend, and smart banker who reads books. These two characters start off and end off by learning how to live trying and die trying. I do not enjoy a film that drags on, bores, and tells a message with bad wording, a bad script, and badly done lesson, that prisoners get the rights to do many things than sit in a rotting cell and eat disgusting food all day.… Expand

1 of 26 users found this helpful

BrunoDec 28, 2006

Overhyped socialist movie that tried to convince me that prisoners are better people then us and deserve much better treatment.

0 of 12 users found this helpful

DeDeTheMovieGoJun 12, 2023

What a load of **** Horse**** !!! I AM FULFILLING THE CHARACTER LIMIT. I AM NOT A CROOK

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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