An Epic Escape for Justice

There is no way we can talk about prison films without me ranting about one of my favorite movies of all time- The Shawshank Redemption. I mean, just the name of the film is awesome let alone the fantastic plot line, intriguing characters and amazing actors.

The Shawshank Redemption is a story that follows the prison sentence of Andy Dufrense, who was charged for the murder of his wife and her lover, though he was actually innocent. While in Shawshank, Andy becomes friends with Red, the prison con man "who knows how to get things." Andy is able to work his way up in the prison by using his banking/accounting skills to help out the prison guards and even the warden with their finances and taxes. 

This movie contains all of the typical stock characters of a prison film: the corrupt warden (Norton), the innocent heroic protagonist (Andy), the comrade (Red), the group of friends (Haywood, Brooks, etc.), the evil guard (Hadley), and the bad guy crew (The Sisters). 

The film also follows the stock plot of prison films. The story involves Dufrense's 20 years spent in Shawshank to lead up to the climax of his epic escape through a tunnel he has dug from him cell out to the sewer pipes. It's not good prison movie unless someone breaks out or a riot erupts. But this movie takes it to the next level in which Dufrense conceals his escape attempts for 19 years without ever getting caught, and at the same time he is able to work his way up in the ranks of the prison system. 

The stock theme of the film follows the rebellion against injustice as Dufrense escapes from the prison as a free man with money he took from the corrupt warden and therefore serving justice to those who persecuted him in his innocence. 

You gotta love Red--the guy who knows how to get things--because as an audience we like to see someone who can challenge authority, so when there there someone in the prison system who can break a few rules and get away with it we tend to cheer for them. I think the way they set up his character in the film was drawn out the best and utilized to bring home the theme of injustice and the ability to turn your life around (from a murderer to a respectable man).

I think in terms of how prison films are typically set up, this film does a spot on job of following the stock elements. The fantastic acting and the intriguing story line only add to that irresistible exclusive look into prison life, though it is in a historic sense and perhaps not quite in tuned with the complete reality of what happen(ed/s) in prisons.