Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature

Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature (2001)

*** (out of 4)

Nice documentary that takes a look at THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and it's growing cult of fans. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Frank Darabont and many other cast members are on hand for interviews. Much like HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL, this documentary can be found on the film's 2-disc Special Edition. Both films share a lot of the same stories as the cast members are pretty much talking about things that we've heard countless times before. This includes discussions about the casting, the bombing at the box office, the eventual rise in popularity and of course the spiritual side of the film. All of these stories are good but you hear them so many times it's good that the documentary went into a different direction towards the end. Some of the new stuff we get to see is a look at the prison today. The film was shot in Mansfield, Ohio so host Mark Kermode takes us back to the city and talks with the locals. We get to see some of the footage shot at the town premier of the movie. We also get to talk with a church who sees the movie as a very religious story including the idea that Andy was Jesus Christ. Overall this is a pretty interesting look but I think some of the cast comments could have been edited down. I mean, if you've seen the other documentaries on the making of the movie then you're already going to know the story. Another aspect touched on here is the way fans at IMDb and other places has voted this one of the greatest movies of all time. Hearing a fan reaction probably would have been more interesting that some of the cast comments. With that said, there's no doubt fans of the film will want to check this out and especially if they want everything they can get from the film.

'Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature' is a documentary about the film 'The Shawshank Redemption', which became a big seller in video sales but not in the cinema. (The reasons for this are discussed.) This documentary discusses the popularity of the film and goes behind the scenes. It also talks about the characters and some of the society's importances of this film in religion. This is a pretty thorough and insightful documentary, and it is available on the DVDs of the film. This is a short and to-the-point and interesting documentary that compliments the film well. See it if you enjoyed watching the film and want to learn a little bit about the background.

In 1994 The Shawshank Redemption came out into cinemas around the world, and although it received 7 Oscar nominations (lost out to Forrest Gump), it received little publicity, and was a technical "flop". A year later it was the biggest video rental on the planet, and today is hailed by film fans as one of the greatest films ever made. This documentary looks into why it didn't do well until video release, why critics didn't like the film & why it is now loved by many.

Interviews include Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman & Frank Darabont, which garners more respect to this entertaining documentary, hosted by Mark Kermode. All in all it gives the viewer a greater understanding of why so many love this film! A must see for fans!!

Once again, Mark Kermode has come up with a compelling and literate analysis of a favourite film.

Interviews with the main protagonists, and some unexpected participants.

The only omission was Stephen King... it would have been rewarding to hear his perspective on the finished product, since so much of his oeuvre has translated poorly.

Quite an interesting documentary about the modern classic 'The Shawshank Redemption' from its conception to production, through to the rather muted response received upon its original cinematic release. One of Britain's finest film critics, Mark Kermode, tries to discover how this rather routine prison movie (on paper, anyway) seems to have struck such an emotional chord with the public, whilst not pandering to the sickening sentimentality that seems to infect most mainstream Hollywood films. To some it is a spiritual story, to others modern myth and to others, simply a great movie with that rarest of modern cinematic qualities - a heart.

Fans of the movie will find this programme fascinating and revealing. A well-made documentary, if a little un-biased in its praise.