This movie was based from the 1982 novel by Stephen King, entitled “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. But take note, the late great sex symbol Rita Hayworth was never on the film, but her pin-up served more than just an inspiration (or male energy & imagination inducer) for a guy who’s imprisoned.

It has a very interesting story that all started with a crime of passion. Andy Dufresne, the calm soft-spoken banker (played by Tim Robbins) was convicted of killing his wife and her extra-marital lover. His life in prison was far from good. It’s a good thing that I’ve seen this movie when I was a little older. Had I seen this movie when I was still a little younger, I could’ve been one jaded cynical person. Life in prison was no joke, and this movie clearly depicts the scenario (solitary confinement/ violence/sex), although the sex wasn’t capitalized in this movie.

I don’t watch prison movies, but I don’t know why I was led to watch this movie (including THE GREEN MILE…but that’s a different story). I did not regret watching this film at all. In fact, I have watched this movie over 10 times (several times on VHS, on cable, on DVD) at different stages of my life. I’ve watched it as a budding adult and I’ve seen it as an adult. It just gets better each time. The older I get, the more I appreciate it. It is one great piece of Stephen King work. Inspite the prison scenario, it’s a story of hope, patience, endurance, and friendship. Perhaps what Stephen King wanted to convey is the message that, in every trial and suffering in life, the Heavens will never abandon as long as we hold on to our hope. As the movie’s tagline suggests, hope can set you free.