Thursday 28 March 2013

The Fellowship of the Ring - Peter Jackson (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  - Peter Jackson (2001)
































The Shawshank Redemption – Frank Darabont (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption – Frank Darabont (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption (Tim Robbins) tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a top 1940's Banker, convicted of murdering his wife and her secret lover, and duly sentenced to life in Shawshank prison whilst maintaining his innocence . In prison he meets what will become a lifelong friend in fellow prisoner 'Red' ( Morgan Freeman ). Life in Shawshank is hard  at first, but eventually, through the use of his financial skills and his ability turn situations to his advantage, Andy begins to make a life for himself within the walls of Shawshank. 

This film has all the perfect ingredients required for a masterpiece, with regards to Direction, Script, Casting, Editing etc… but for me the genius aspect of this film is that even though Andy is the principle character, his story is actually told through the eyes and narration of Red. This facilitates the smoothness of the story-telling and allows us to fall in love with the character of Red. The full horror of prison life is explored, from vicious prisoners and guards to crooked wardens and mindless abuse but ultimately, the human spirit shines through, and Andy's the ultimate shining light in a very dark place, where his actions have a deep impact on his prison friends around him. The ending of this film is now the stuff of legend. 
 
"You have two choices, get busy living or get busy dying" 












                                                     
                                                        The Marriage of Figaro









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