Shawshank Redemption

Movie: Shawshank Redemption, 1994; 142 min

Director: Frank Darabont

Actors: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman

Summary:

Andy Dufresne is convicted murder and is sentenced to two life sentences at Shawshank Prison. In prison, Andy befriends Red and a group of other men. He also has connections with the warden of the jail through his knowledge of banking, which eventually sets him free.

Question 1: What are static colors in the film and what do these colors add to the mood and feeling of the shots?

            Almost every shot in the film contains some distinct form of a grey or similar dark color. The grey hue to the shots gives the movie a sad, depressing atmosphere similar to the atmosphere of a prison. Even when the location is not within the prison walls, for example when ­­­­Andy is released from the prison and walks free in the town, there is still the saddening color in each scene. The purpose of this grey tone throughout the entire film is to give the viewer the feeling one feels when in prison. The grays make the audience feel depressed and alone, feelings that draw them into the movie even more because they are able to relate to what the characters are going through.

Question 2: What is the significance/purpose of the opera music playing in the entire prison?

            When ­­­Andy receives the records and record player, the first thing he does is play the music, and once he gets the chance, he plays the music on the speaker system so the entire prison can hear the beautiful opera music. Music is not a luxury for prisoners so when this beautiful music plays, all the prisoners stop what they are doing to enjoy the beautiful sounds. The music gives the prisoners a sense of freedom and it also makes them feel normal for a brief moment. The act of playing the music also foreshadows Andy going against the warden because he kept playing the music even though the guards and the warden kept telling him to stop. He accepted his punishment for his actions, but he did not regret them because they gave him and his friends a sense of being normal once more.