FAQ for
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags are used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for The Shawshank Redemption can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/parentalguide.

Allen Greene was Frank Darabont's agent and also a close personal friend. He died just before the completion of the movie due to AIDS complications.

This is an issue of some dispute. There is much about it that is unique and supports its high rating. The film speaks to a lot of people on some level, and its message of hope and inspiration is one that appeals to vast arrays of people. It conveys this message very well. Some "great" movies are more geared towards certain demographics, whereas "Shawshank" has wide appeal.

As with many films that gained legendary status as years went by, such as "Blade Runner" and "Citizen Kane", audiences acquired their appreciation of it over time. The movie didn't do fantastically with the critics or audiences during its theatrical release but prospered only after being released on video.

It is perhaps worthwhile to remember that the top 250 list doesn't really measure what individuals consider the best movies of all time. It measures the collective opinion of the films in which people have the greatest positive feel when they are rating it. People are not voting for the movie against other movies. They are voting for it based on their opinion at the time have decided to rate it on IMDb. And "Shawshank" has quite simply garnered the highest average of votes among eligible users.

The name of the song Andy plays over the speakers when he is in the Warden's office is called Canzonetta sull'aria from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro.

The name of the Rita Hayworth movie is Gilda (1946).

Andy only pinned the top two corners and lifted the poster up and into the hole when he escaped. He more than likely used a daub of glue or resin from the prison labor workshop to pin the top two corners.

A tack can quite easily be pushed into plaster. We know the walls were plastered because Andy dislodges a chunk when scratching his name into the wall prompting him to dig the tunnel

Very often in prisons, especially in earlier years, music and media are handled very carefully and often regarded as potentially harmful and rebel-rousing material. Dufresne knew he had to keep the guard from being able to immediately turn off the music.

When the Warden begins hiring out the prisoners of Shawshank as cheap (nearly slave-wage) labor, he takes payoffs and buyouts from desperate construction and business companies so that they can make money off of the project at hand. Each of these monies are laundered, processed, and booked by Andy who in turn ingeniously sets and continues to deposit all funds into an account under the pseudonym Randall Stevens.

Tommy tells Andy and friends a story of a prison stint in which his cell mate, Elmo Blatch, reveals another man (Andy) was convicted for a crime Elmo committed, proving Andy's innocence. If Tommy testifies and the evidence is made public, Andy would be freed and put all of the Wardens underhanded dealings in jeopardy of being exposed or discontinued.