Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption Essay Example
Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption Essay Example

Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1379 words)
  • Published: December 7, 2017
  • Type: Film Analysis
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Andy Dufresne, born on September 20th, 1908 in Portland, Maine, has been sentenced for the murder of his wife and her lover.

Andy, a tidy and petite man with sandy hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and small hands resembling a cleaver, visited Shawshank Penitentiary in 1948 at the age of 30. Despite his "prim and proper" appearance that consistently gives the impression he should be wearing a tie, Andy previously held the position of vice president in the trust department of a prominent bank in Portland. He is known for his sharp wit and remarkable skill in extricating himself from challenging situations.

During a confrontation with the Three Sisters, who are actually men, Andy resists their attempt to trap and sexually assault him. When pushed to the extreme, one of the Three Sisters instructs Andy to p

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erform oral sex. Andy cleverly responds by warning that he will bite anything inserted into his mouth. He adds that even if they were to inflict a severe brain injury on him, it would cause him to involuntarily urinate, defecate, and bite down. After a short exchange between all four individuals, the Three Sisters ultimately retreat, leaving Andy as the triumphant one.

"Red" is the man in Shawshank who knows how to acquire various items such as cigarettes, a bag of reefer, a bottle of Brandy, and more, as long as they are within reason. He proudly claims, "I'm a regular Sears and Roebuck" during a conversation in the prison yard. Red arrived at Shawshank at the age of 20 after being convicted for the murder of his wife, her friend, and her infant son.

His original motive was solely to murder his wif

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in order to collect the insurance payout, but his scheme went horribly awry. Red is a person one can confide in, who may not always provide solace but will offer a listening ear. This is how he attempted to console Andy regarding a friend's premature demise upon reentering society: "at first, you despise them. Then, you become accustomed to their presence. Eventually, you reach a point where you rely on them."

According to the speaker, the prison walls have a significant impact on an individual's life, describing it as "institutionalized." He holds the belief that all prisoners are innocent and have become victims of heartless judges, incompetent lawyers, or police set-ups. "Tommy" enters Shawshank Prison in November 1962 at the age of 27. He has previously been incarcerated throughout England as a "professional thief." Despite being married with a visiting wife, it is his three-year-old son that becomes his main motive for pursuing a high school diploma.

Tommy seeks Andy's assistance in obtaining his diploma. In addition, Tommy possesses crucial details relating to the crime for which Andy has been imprisoned. The warden at Shawshank, known as "Norton," proudly displays his thirty-year pin from the Baptist Advent Church of Elliot. Norton's behavior varies, as he can be both cold and indifferent at times while being welcoming and friendly on other occasions.

Similar to the other individuals in Shawshank, he is also dishonest. This can be seen when he forces Andy to participate in tax evasion to help him accumulate wealth. The main assistant of Norton is named "Byron Hadley." Even though he doesn't hold an official position, it appears that he oversees the prison's daily operations. Byron Hadley

is a tall and unkempt person with red hair who often experiences sunburns. Mr.

Participating in conversation with Hadley can be challenging due to his deep, loud voice that is difficult to interrupt. The actor chosen for the role of Andy Dufresne was Tim Robbins. I believe Tim Robbins was the perfect choice for this role because he has a tall stature and sandy hair, and when wearing glasses, he gives off an intelligent appearance. He closely resembles how Stephen King envisioned Andy and appears like someone who would face mistreatment from the system. There is no doubt that Tim Robbins was the ideal selection for this character.

Morgan Freeman, an African-American actor, was chosen to play the character of Red Redding in the movie version of The Shawshank Redemption. This casting choice may have been seen as unusual since the book describes Red as having red hair and being of Irish descent. However, I view this decision as a beneficial one made by the producers.

Morgan Freeman was a great fit for the role and brought a unique quality to it. Playing Tommy, the young man mentored by Andy and taught basic knowledge in the classroom, James Ident was a suitable choice who fulfilled his purpose effectively. Though he didn't match my exact vision of Tommy, he still performed well.

Bob Gunton played Warden Norton in the film adaptation, bringing a commanding and direct approach that perfectly captured the character's authoritative presence. He effectively conveyed complete ownership and control over the facility and its visitors, making him an impeccable choice for the role. Meanwhile, William Saddler portrayed Sir Byron Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption movie.

Like everyone else, he

did a commendable job. The story unfolds within the confines of Shawshank Penitentiary, situated in Portland, Maine. The events occur approximately between 1927 and 1980. Throughout the narrative, the reader witnesses Shawshank as a brutal and merciless environment. Red accurately portrays it to Andy by exclaiming, "boy this place is nasty, but what do you expect?" In my opinion, the film adaptation successfully captures the essence of Shawshank's setting. It is evident that meticulous attention was given to Stephen King's written description of Shawshank when bringing it to life on screen.

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 chosen 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 bitterly complains 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 receive $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." Upon overhearing the complaining, Andy confidently walks over to the captain and asks: "Mr.

Hadley angrily confronts Andy, questioning his trust in his wife. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Andy suggests that Hadley give the money to his wife as a tax-free gift. He mentions that a lawyer could help set up the

gift. The scene in the movie depicting this exchange was incredibly well done and left me astonished.

After reading the scene, I found it enjoyable. But seeing it being performed left me astounded by the overwhelming sensation it invoked. Tim Robbins portrayed Andy Dufresne flawlessly, exactly as I had imagined. The same can be said for Bob Gunton, who brilliantly depicted Sir Byron Hadley. Throughout the scene, it was flawless and captivating.

The Final Analysis

In general, I found the film to be satisfying despite some noticeable deviations from the book. However, there was still overall consistency between the two mediums. The primary difference that caught my attention was the number of wardens - the book depicts multiple wardens (approximately five or six), while the film only includes one warden. Another contrast is evident in Tommy's destiny. In the book, Tommy is relocated to a different place after disclosing Andy's innocence to the warden, whereas in the film, he is escorted outside and executed by one of the guards.

The film's portrayal of prison life was impressive, and I appreciated the effort put into bringing it to life. It effectively captured the intricate details of the book in a thought-provoking and optimistic manner, leaving viewers with deep reflections. When asked to choose between the two versions, I cannot pick one as each had its own pros and cons. I thoroughly enjoyed both experiencing the entire movie and reading the book.

Both artworks are imaginative and thought-provoking, prompting contemplation of the mysteries of life.

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