“Tommy” ‘s introduction to Shawshank comes in November of 1962 at the age of 27. He has done time all over England and is a self labeled “professional thief.” Tommy is married and his wife visits regularly. Tommy also has a three-year-old son who eventually becomes the main reason for his wanting to get a high school diploma. Wanting his diploma leads Tommy to Andy who eventually agrees to tutor him. Tommy also has vital information pertaining to the crime Andy has been convicted of.
“Norton” is the warden at Shawshank. He has a thirty- year pin from the Baptist Advent Church of Elliot, which he shows rather flagrantly. He acts cold and callus at times yet, warm and inviting during others. He is no less a con then anyone else in Shawshank. This is clearly shown when he makes Andy, among other things, cheat and lie on his tax return to help make him a millionaire.
“Byron Hadley” is Norton’s right hand man. It would seem as though he actually administers the day-to-day activities at the prison although, that is not actually is formal duty. He is a tall, shambling man with red hair, who sunburns quite easily. Mr. Hadley talks in a deep, loud voice in sort of a thankless matter and it seems almost impossible at times, to get a word in edgewise.
Tim Robbins was the gentleman selected to play the role of Andy Dufresne. I believe that Tim Robbins was an excellent choice for this role for a number of reasons. He himself is tall with sandy hair and can look very book smart when given a pair of glasses to wear. He looks exactly as I believe Stephen King intended Andy to look and looks like someone who would get screwed by the system. Tim Robbins was definitely the best choice for the role.
Morgan Freeman was chosen to play Red Redding in the film version of The Shawshank Redemption. I believe this decision was a good one for a few different reasons. It was unexpected to see an African- American playing Red because in the book there are numerous references to Red’s name rooting from the colour of his hair and of his Irish decent. Actually I believe this was a good move by the producers. Morgan Freeman brought something special to the role and was more then a suitable choice.
James Ident is the man who was chosen to play Tommy, the young man whom Andy takes under his wing and teaches him, among other things, basics in the classroom. He was a decent choice and served his purpose well. He was not exactly as I pictured Tommy to be but definitely did a good job.
Bob Gunton played Warden Norton in the film. Bob Gunton does look somewhat anal and he was unquestionably an excellent choice for the role. He was crisp, clear and straight to the point on numerous subjects, just like any warden would be. He conveyed the message of: “I own this place and all who choose to visit it” to a tee. All in all, he was more than a suitable choice for the role.
William Saddler is the gentleman who was given the role of Sir Byron Hadley in the film version of The Shawshank Redemption. He did a good job like everyone else.
Setting
The story takes place inside of Shawshank Penitentiary, which is located in Portland, Maine. The time frame in which the events described take place is between 1927 and 1980(approximately). When reading one gets the sense that Shawshank is a cruel, rough and heartless place. Red described it to Andy perfectly when he said: “boy this place is nasty, but what do you expect?” The setting was transferred onto film remarkably well in my opinion. It is obvious that great care was taken in order to perfect the way in which Stephen King described Shawshank in writing, when transferring it to film. Almost everything is extremely accurate and there are no noticeable changes that were made.
Scene Study
In the spring of 1949, after two years of imprisonment, the worst in Red's memory for Andy, Red and Andy are selected from volunteers to begin a week's work ("outdoor detail") to resurface the roof of the license-plate factory. In the fresh air of the outdoors - without walls, fences, or bars - while the cons pour and spread bubbling tar on the roof, Captain Hadley complains bitterly about government taxes that he will owe after receiving an inheritance from his rich brother's estate. Out of a million bucks, Hadley will only see $35,000 and most of that will be taxed:
"Uncle Sam, he puts his hand in your shirt and squeezes your tit till it's purple." After overhearing the bitching, Andy boldly saunters over to the captain and inquires: "Mr. Hadley, do you trust your wife?" Furious with his audacity, Hadley grabs Andy and jerks him toward the edge of the roof to throw him off, until ex-banker Andy adds - while dangling precariously:
“Because if you do trust her, there's no reason you can't keep that thirty-five thousand...If you want to keep all that money, give it to your wife. The IRS allows a one-time only gift to your spouse for up to sixty thousand dollars...tax-free...you do need someone to set up the tax-free gift for ya, and it'll cost ya, a lawyer for example...I suppose I could set it up for ya. That would save you some money.”
This scene was done in the movie so extraordinarily well that I was, to say the least, completely astounded. After reading the scene, I thought it was pretty cool, but after actually watching it play out, I was amazed by the incredible feeling that I got from watching the scene come to life. Tim Robbins was superb and was exactly how I would picture Andy Dufresne. The same goes for Bob Gunton, the gentleman who acted Sir Byron Hadley. It was a perfect scene from beginning to end.
The Final Analysis
I was very satisfied with the film overall. After reading the book and viewing the film, there were only a few changes that seemed evident to me. The biggest change when transferring the book to the big screen was the number of wardens. In the book there are numerous wardens, five or six, and in the film there is just one. Also in the book, Tommy is transferred after telling his story of Andy’s innocence to the warden, but in the film, Tommy is taken outside and shot in the head by one of the guards.
I was impressed by the films portrayal of prison life and by the approach that was used in bringing it to life. I feel that great care must have been taken and that it is a noticeable fact throughout the movie. I feel that the subtleties of the book were transferred onto film in a positive and thought- provoking manner, one that keeps you thinking.
Ultimately, when asked which version of this story I prefer, I would have no choice but to say that I couldn’t pick a version that I liked more. I thought both had their benefits and there drawbacks. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie from beginning to end, but that is exactly what I would say about the book. I believe that they both are imaginative pieces of art, which leave you thinking about the mysteries of life.
