Applying the Key Concepts to Shawshank Redemption, and what to you are the most enjoyable elements of the film

        Once inside the prison it is its own enclosed world, it is its own society. In most prison theme films/novels there are always certain themes that run through it. Trying to escape, being imprisoned when really they are innocent, brutality, victimisation, self-sacrifice and the will to carry on and not stop hoping. A number of these are present in “Shawshank Redemption”. There are nine separate groups within the prison and even within them, they can be broken down in to smaller groups. There are the guards, prisoners- the good side, the bad side, and then the group of homosexuals, women, Americans, educated or ill-educated, religious, age/youth and those who aren’t inside. Each of these groups represents different aspects of prison life. The prison warden is very religious, and hopes that by inflicting religion on to the prisoners it will change them, and make them respect him. The guards take their authority to the limits and often cross the line; they can do what they like. The women in the film represent the outside world, through the black and white films the prisoners are allowed to watch and the posters that are shown on Dufresne’s wall. There are also the different age groups; there is a significant age gap between Red and Dufresne. Brooks, the prison librarian is also a lot older than Red and Dufresne, so you are able to see how different generations cope with being in prison.

        Although Dufresne is the main focus, Red plays a large part in the progression of the film. Red is used as the narrator of the story and he builds a strong bond with the audience relatively quickly. There are two types of narrator, reliable and non-reliable. A reliable narrator is one that the audience can trust, is consistent and we can see as being our friend, a non-reliable narrator is the opposite, where the audience ends up questioning what they are saying and asking themselves if they can be believed. The voice of the director comes across in the narration. It’s human and pragmatic.

        The music used throughout the film reflects the storyline. It is used to reflect emotions and creates atmosphere, setting the tone. Many of the music pieces use the piano and the oboe, creating a gentle, sadness, melodramatic tone. The scene where Dufresne plays Mozart over the tannoy, gives the prisoners a sense of release and feel of freedom.

        Dufresne is educated, innocent, and intelligent. He finds his own position in the prison; he has found his own authority and hierarchy and is respected by other prisoners, as he is willing to take a risk. When Dufresne gets involved in the money laundering he uses it to his own advantage. At first we see this as a way of keeping the warden and guards on his side, but really he was using it in his plans to escape.

        The film celebrates the American dream; it is about making your fortune, from rags to riches. It has a fairy tale ending, with everyone living “happily ever after”.

        I think the film is a good portrayal of life in prison at the time it was set. The way in which the story unfolds is very effective as it leaves the reader trying to work out what is going to happening. I think my most memorable scene is the one where the warden discovers that Dufresne has escaped through the wall, although the scenes where the little clues that would Dufresne would use to get away, were very subtle, but looking back now it was good the way they intertwined them and not making them obvious. I think this film was very well made, and adapted from the short story, however, there were a number of mistakes made, mainly through editing, so I think these should have been sorted out as in a way it spoils the flow and continuity of the film.