Finding peace in a frantic world.

Red‘s Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption.

There are so many good things about this Steven King and Frank Darabont masterpiece. Shawshank Redemption has all the ingredients to make a great movie/story. It is a deeply spiritual story. It is a synergy and culmination of many things that make the whole; spiritually, like how everything together creates an incredible oneness. The story, the friendships, hardships, bonding, isolation, the script, the characters, the acting, the soundtrack, the scenes, the direction and the epic vocal narration by Red, (Morgan Freeman) Andy’s new found friend at Shawshank.

More than a prison story

For anybody that hasn’t yet seen the film, it’s way more than just a prison story. It’s based around the central character, inmate Andy Dufresne, who has been wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife. The story incidentally presents the more civilised side of those incarcerated and shows just how upside down the world is, that even whilst in prison, one can find friendship, humour, kindness, trust and hope; these are things we wouldn’t usually associate with a prison.

The role Andy plays within Shawshank has overtones of the fate of Joseph (son of Jacob) in the Book of Genesis. False imprisonment, injustice, betrayal, bringing wealth to others, resilience and integrity.

Near the beginning of the film, during court sentencing, the judge says to Andy “You strike me as a particularly icy and remorseless man, Mr. Dufresne”. Now; given Andy is actually innocent, how else would we expect to see the face of an innocent man? He’s hardly going to look full of remorse. This typifies the shortcomings of the justice system (proof not truth), where justice is not necessarily about punishing only the guilty.

Red

On the face of it, it appears that the redemption relates to Andy Dufresne but actually, it is Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding that finds redemption. At a number of points in the film, Red (“Maybe it’s because I’m Irish” note this quote refers to a red haired Irishman in the book) is given an opportunity to make early release in front of the parole panel.

From the first parole scene:

Panel.

“We see by your file you’ve served 20 years of a life sentence”.

Red.

“Yes, sir”.

Panel.

“You feel you’ve been rehabilitated?”

Red.

“Oh, yes, sir. Absolutely, sir.

I mean, I learned my lesson.

I can honestly say… I’m a changed man.

I’m no longer a danger to society.

That’s God’s honest truth”.

At each hearing Red is rejected for parole and it isn’t until the end that Red gives a redemptive expression of how he feels about the system that has kept him imprisoned, resulting in the panel giving him an approval for release from Shawshank.

Andy Dufresne

Now onto Andy Dufresne. Even in imprisonment, Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) was still able to “have a walk and talk that isn’t normal around hear”. Interestingly, parallels can readily be drawn between Andy and Jesus. Jesus would certainly have had a walk and a talk that wasn’t common. He had grace, something Andy carried throughout his tenure at Shawshank, but also humility and a quietness. His message is one of hope and freedom, often in the darkest of times. Both Jesus and Andy were treated awfully by their peers, both physically and mentally. Like Jesus, Andy enters as the sinless outsider.

The turning point of the story for Andy Dufresne (“I’m a convicted murderer who provides sound financial planning”) is whilst tarring the roof with his “coworkers”. He essentially risks his own life for the others by confronting Captain Hadley about his family inheritance. In exchange for preparing some legal documents for Hadley, he asks only for some cold beers for his coworkers, yet; Andy himself has abstained from drinking. At this point, little does he know it, Andy changes his fortunes and begins his plans to escape with the unwitting help of the guards and the warden. His fate is perfectly captured by “You know on the outside I was an honest man straight as an arrow; I had to come to prison to be a crook”.

Norton the Warden upon his first meeting with Andy Dufresne says “put your faith in the bible, your ass belongs to me”. In other words, his physical body may be imprisoned but his mind is still his own. After Andy’s return from solitary Andy says to the inmates around the dining table “they can’t take that away from you”. What they ask? Knowing and being aware that we are more than our fears, history and suffering there is a spiritual essence available to us all. This also highlights the fundamental difference between loneliness and solitude. One can be on their own, without being lonely. Solitude is more akin to peace.

The Light of the World

During the wardens raid on Andy’s cell, he asks Andy if he has a favourite passage from the Bible. Andy replies “Watch ye, therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh”. Mark 13.35. In this, Andy is referring to the Wardens unannounced search of his cell. This passage also foreshadows the wardens own visit from his masters, when the evidence Andy complies during his incarceration is handed over to the authorities prior to their visit to Shawshank. The warden responds to Andy with, But I prefer…

“I’m the light of the world.

He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

This passage from the bible (John 8:12) is the key to spiritual awakening.

Hypocrisy

The hypocrisy of Norton the Warden being presented as a man of God. This hypocrisy highlights the fundamental difference between words and actions. One can speak of God and the Bible, but it is actions that matter in terms of one’s spiritual journey. Empty words mean nothing. There is a significant difference between knowing about something and knowing.

Twists

The biggest twist in the movie, besides Andy’s secret escape, is that regarding Andy’s financial involvement with the warden and the guards. It all begins with Andy’s simple request for cold beers on the roof. Later in the film these close ties Andy has with the finances of the prison, unwittingly puts an end to any notion of Andy’s potential legitimate early release. Upon finding out that the person actually responsible for his wife’s murder, which he presents to the warden, the warden will not consider making a case for Andy’s release as the warden would have too much to lose, a point where Andy calls the warden obtuse. Had Andy not been so involved with the corruption of the prison, this is a point in the story which may have seen him released from Shawshank.

Thomas Newman

The wonderful and befitting Shawshank soundtrack was written by Thomas Newman (Wall-E, Road to Perdition, The Green Mile). Rick Beato’s interview on his Youtube channel with Newman dated 12th October 2022 is well worth a watch. The interview begins with Thomas playing one of the reoccurring stoic themes on piano. The interview moves back onto Shawshank at 31mins. Thomas explains the creation of the ominous music played during Andy Dufresne’s escape behind the walls and the musical transition from the years of imprisonment into a rebirth of freedom and then onto the wonderful music played for Red’s release and journey by bus to the old oak tree at the top of the hill amongst farming fields, all whilst the harmonica plays, drawing on Andy’s gift of a harmonica to Red in prison.

The Exodus

Andy’s exodus. Andy’s leaving gift for the warden is a bible with the pages carefully holed out for the hammer he used to escape. Appropriately, the page within the bible opens at Exodus. Andy escapes, taking the wealth ($370,000) with him as compensation (severance pay) for all the years imprisoned and the slavery / forced labour he endured for a crime he didn’t commit. Written onto the bible was a note/lesson for the warden left by Andy repeating the advice given to him earlier by the warden. Dear Warden, you were right. Salvation lies within. Andy.

“His Judgement Cometh and that Right Soon….” A statement stitched into a sampler fixed on the wall of the wardens office. This foreshadows the wardens own fall from grace. This statement eventually comes to fruition after Andy’s escape by way of the – Karma – front page headlines and the arrest of the prison guards and punishment for their abuse, corruption and murder at the prison. The only person to escape arrest is Randall Stevens.

The most profound spiritual lesson of the story is that of Andy Dufresne climbing through 500 yards of sewer pipe to be reborn by being washed clean by the rain as he hold his arms up in a crucifix pose. This reflects many peoples lives and their spiritual journey, the pain and suffering many go through before they find peace, escape and a new beginning.

Zihuatanejo

Zihuatanejo, the place with no memory. Spiritually we are more than our thoughts. To be at peace without thoughts of our past and without fear of the future is a wonderful place to be, hence why Andy finds this place with no memory to live out the rest of his days.

Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free…

The 1994 Frank Darabont film The Shawshank Redemption is an adaption of the 1982 novel Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
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