Shawshank Redemption (1994)

[Princess Ivy]

My hubby is watching this one, just picked it up in a bargin bin. I've seen it before, but am just as disturbed by it now as I was then. Yes I know it has a happy ending (well justice is served anyway), but the main body just feels contrived and gratuitiously violent and sexual. Anyone else seen it? have an opinion? I know its not sci-fi, but I'd still love to hear.

[ravenus]

I don't know about that. It's based on a Stephen King novella (from the Different Seasons collection) and I personally loved the story...it's stark, but certainly not gratuitious. It's about a man who is trying to bide his time and keep his dignity in a depraved place.
What I didn't like about the film was their transformation of the Dufresne character from the quiet doer in the book to this cocky hood who goes about locking the jailor out of his room to blare opera over the prison.

[littlemissattitude]

Actually the King novella is my favorite of all his work I've read. And I like the film, although not as well as some people seem to. Of King's work committed to film, my favorite is "Stand By Me" (based on "The Body", also in "Different Seasons"). Most of the other films, though, just didn't do it for me. I did like the mini-series they made of "The Stand" enough to buy it on video, although I thought that it was maybe too faithful to the book, especially as regards length. Darned if I can think what they might have left out, though. And I do think I might have cast some of the parts differently.

Which brings me back to "Shawshank Redemption". I like Tim Robbins as an actor, but I just didn't buy him in this film. Not sure why. He just didn't seem right for the part. He was too...something.

[angrybuddhist]

I hate most movie adaptations of Stephen King's writings. The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me are exceptions. If I run across either one while channel surfing, I find it hard to turn away. They were both great. I also liked the first tv version of Salem's Lot.

[I, Brian]

Shawshank as a movie is pretty good - but I didn;t feel satisfied by the ending. Despite the symbolism of the ending, it never seemed to compensate for all that had gone on before. In that regard, the ending never seemed the accomplishment it tried to dress itself up to be.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by littlemissattitude

Actually the King novella is my favorite of all his work I've read. And I like the film, although not as well as some people seem to. Of King's work committed to film, my favorite is "Stand By Me"

SBM was a decent literal translation of the book's events but I felt it could have been better if it had gone the full way of exposing the boys' frayed emotions...a bit of a Picnic at Hanging Rock touch would have helped.

But what about The Shining? Jack Nicholson's ham-laden grimacing aside, I like ths film a lot, as much as I like the book and I certainly appreciate the different approach that Kubrick took to the material. I think King is being unnecessarily crabby when he disses the film.

[Esioul]

I've seen Shawshank Redemption... I actually enjoyed it. I've not read the book though that you're mentioning.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Esioul

I've seen Shawshank Redemption... I actually enjoyed it. I've not read the book though that you're mentioning.

Ah, you must read Different Seasons. It's one of King's best works.

[Lacedaemonian]

I have never read any of King's works but think that Shawshank, Stand by me, and The Shining are great movies. King has a SFF series out, the Darktower or someting, are they any good?

[I, Brian]

New thread topic.

[Princess Ivy]

I'm not a King fan, so can only judge by the movie. But as I stated previously, I just felt that it was to contrived to evoke any genuine emotion.