Framed in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.
Nominated for 7 Oscars. 21 wins & 43 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
...a throwback to the kind of serious, literate drama Hollywood used to make.
– Derek Adams,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
fresh:
A passing reference to 'The Count of Monte Cristo' offers a partial clue to what makes this movie compelling.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
28 Jun 2007
fresh:
A testament to the human spirit...
– Leonard Klady,
Variety,
28 Jun 2007
fresh:
Freeman, who is simply a great actor, a man who has never struck a false note in his career, both narrates this tale and anchors it with his authoritative playing.