The Shawshank Redemption: I had to come to prison to be a crook!

Which, in case you didn’t know it, is a quote from the Tim Robbins character, Andy Dufresne, in the utter classic that is The Shawshank Redemption.

It’s just a shame it didn’t get any Oscars.

It was up against Forrest Gump.

Which has never really appealed to me, to be honest.

But Shawshank?

The Shawshank Redemption is something else, all together.

The Wikipedia entry, along with the IMDb page about it can probably tell you more.

But doesn’t, for me, necessarily tell you the emotional feel of it: and emotional it is, focusing on those little victories — to quote Ronnie Barker, as Fletch, in Porridge — of prison life.

Getting funding from a library.

Seeing off a bully.

Getting a single cell, even.

And it does raise the issue that, for many repeat offenders, getting institutionalised is a major problem, emphasised by the character of Brooks — the old timer who commits suicide, after being released.

Someone I knew, once, who’d done a lot of time, told me he had similar problems, when released: he’d gone to a bank to open an account, and it took him a while to realise he didn’t have to wait for a prison officer to open the door.

I also think this is part of why many repeat offenders are repeat offenders, actually.

Prison life is, for many, much more reassuring — and easy to deal with — than the real world.

That’s a whole other area.

The Shawshank Redemption is … well …

It’s a superb film.

It’s one that speaks of the longing for freedom any of us feel, innocent or guilty, if we’re doing time.

Of the little, or big compromises we make, to remain free in our heads.

Of the fear of outside, if we’ve been institutionalised for any length of time.

And of redemption by way of those oh so important little victories …

I know, I know, I’ve maybe haven’t encouraged you to see it.

But this is one you have to see for yourself, to appreciate.

The Shawshank Redemption.

GO GET NOW ★★★★