The Story of The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Published 2024-08-04
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In this in-depth retrospective, I tell the story behind one of cinema's all time great classics: 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption", directed by Frank Darabont and based on the novella by Stephen King. I dive deep into its development, production, release and legacy, while providing some of my own thoughts on the film. Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, William Sadler and James Whitmore. Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment. Property of Warner Bros.-Discovery.

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Sources:

King, Stephen. “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.” Different Seasons, Signet, 1983. pp. 1-120.

The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, audio commentator, Warner Home Entertainment, 2021.

Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature. Directed by Andrew Abbott, Nobles Gate Scotland, 2001.

Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Back at 'the Shawshank Redemption'. Directed by Constantine Nasr, Warner Home Video, 2004.

Ward, Brendan. "16 Secrets Behind The Making Of The Shawshank Redemption." Screen Rant, 26 Apr. 2018, www.screenrant.com/shawshank-redemption-secrets-tr…. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.

"Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Shawshank Redemption." The Mind Circle, www.themindcircle.com/the-shawshank-redemption/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.

"20 Great Behind the Scenes Photographs from the Making of “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)." Vintage Everyday, 25 Sept. 2023, www.vintag.es/2023/09/shawshank-redemption-bts.htm…. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.

"Red.” Stephen King Wiki, Fandom, 10 Dec. 2022, shawshank.fandom.com/wiki/Red. Accessed 5 Nov. 2023.

"Tommy Williams.” Shawshank Redemption Wiki, Fandom, 21 Mar. 2024, shawshank.fandom.com/wiki/Tommy_Williams. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

"The Shawshank Redemption." IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

"The Shawshank Redemption." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

"The Shawshank Redemption (1994)." Box Office Mojo, www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0111161/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Ivan_lima. "Shawshank Redemption, The (1994) [74596]." LaserDisc Database, 10 Sept. 2002, www.lddb.com/laserdisc/06325/74596/Shawshank-Redem…. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

"THE 67TH ACADEMY AWARDS1995." Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1995. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

"The Shawshank Redemption/Home Media.” Moviepedia, Fandom Movies, 14 May 2022, movies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption/Ho…. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.

"SHAWSHANK OAK TREE NEAR MALABAR FARM STATE PARK." The Shawshank Trail, shawshanktrail.com/sites-listed/shawshank-oak-tree…. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.

All Comments (21)
  • @wstine79
    "Much like Andy Dufresne, Mr. Layton Eversaul tunneled his was through the YouTube bots and flags to bring his Retrospective of the Shawshank Redemption back to the internet."
  • Hoping that your video won't be taken down is a dangerous thing. Hoping that your video won't be taken down can drive a man insane.
  • I literally just screamed with joy for a new Layton Eversaul video. As a fellow Youtuber (Haddonfield Radio), I salute you, sir. Your sincerity, diligent research and insight make your Channel amongst the best that YT has to offer. (*chef’s kiss) 🤟🏻
  • I'm So Happy That This Video Is Re-uploaded!!! I originally commented on the original before it was taken down. But I'm gonna resay what I commented. "This is one of my all time favorite movies!!! I live 15mins from the Reformatory. And Ironically I Work In A Factory That's Right Infront Of The Prison!!! It's Amazing That The Greatest Movie Ever Was Filmed In Ohio In A Unknown City At The Time. Fun Fact: My Uncle Played A Background Prisoner, In The Scene Where They're Unloading Mail Just Before Andy Gets The Rock Hammer, and He Was Also In The Same Line as Freeman and Robbins During The Roofing Meeting. After The Movie Ran, My Uncle Was Able Too Get His Hands On The Original 1994 Movie Poster!!! And After My Uncle Passed, My Dad Got The Poster And It's Hanged Up In The Living Room By Our Fireplace!!!" Great Retrospective!!!!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
  • It's videos like these that makes any intelligent soul want to watch the actual films again and again...and again...
  • @johnhchgo
    I really thought I knew a lot about this movie but Layton comes through again. This ranks up there with your best especially the last 20 minutes. Thank you so much for your time on these videos.
  • Me and my wife just watched the whole video, fully engrossed, loving it! Thanks for what you do
  • Im from columbus oh and going to visit the area where this was made was a moving experience. I could see how the area inspired and moved the actors performances and the production crew’s decisions. Its a part of ohio thats really frozen in time and the contrast of such lush and beautiful landscapes with the story told is baffling. Malabar farms is a charming and beautiful spot too and the woods behind the cabin where andy’s wife was shot is one of my friends and I’s favorite hiking spots. This is probably one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time, and mansfield holds a very special place in my heart. Thankyou for making this
  • Truly a Masterpiece of a cinema! Thank you for the excellent retrospective.
  • @B33FY2011
    I was 9 years old when this was first released in 1994. I didn't actually see the movie until I was 21 in 2006 on DVD. It was the first time I had ever seen a movie with Tim Robbins. His performance instantly made me a huge fan of his work, which made me go back and watch some of his movies like Cadillac Man, Jacobs Ladder, and Nothing to Lose, which I also loved. I loved every minute of this masterpiece, and it is one of my favourite movies of all time. I watch it at least 4 times a year. Another great retrospective review.
  • You would think Layton would have about 100k subs by now.. Tons and tons of work go into his videos.
  • @DiGiTyDarKMaN
    Fantastic video. I know it's only been out for a day, but it is criminally underviewed. It's one of my best films ever made and #1 on my personal list.
  • I mistakenly missed the upload first time, wanting to savour it for later. Finally, it's here, and well worth the wait. Well done, Layton. Shawshank is one of the rare films I would consider perfect, absolutely flawless, everything hits 100.
  • I’ve been waiting for the perfect evening to settle down and watch this. Tonight is the night! I discovered your channel last year, and I have watched all of your ‘Story of…’ series. Incredibly well put together videos!
  • Another great video man! I wish we could get more quicker but I know these are beasts to do.
  • Your work is simply splendid. Hats off to you, from Ireland 😊
  • @PopularCat27
    Glad it’s finally here and hope it stays. Btw I hope you make a video on Nosferatu (1922) right before we get Robert Eggers remake in December 🤞🏻 🦇.
  • As always, Layton, this review is compelling, heartwarming, and so intriguing and interesting, they I had to watch it twice. Thank you for your extensive work, and may there be many more reviews to come..