If ever there was an example of true worth over box office receipts (which is understandably important to the studios, but a financial one only) it is Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption. Cruelly, this film’s almost universal lauding didn’t translate to profitability. But that in no way detracts, as an audience member, from the fact that it is the gift that keeps on giving—it’s a perfect movie.

Admittedly that is a subjective opinion. What is a ‘perfect movie’ to this reviewer? It’s a film that completely immerses and emotionally resonates. Direction, writing, editing, performance and music is absolutely on point to such a level that they disappear. You’re in the story. There isn’t a complaint or an observation that would make me wanna change a single frame. That is a rare and beautiful gift.

From the mind of Stephen King (yep, that Stephen King), Shawshank tells the story of Andy Defresne (Tim Robbins) as told by fellow inmate, Red (Morgan Freeman). Andy is wrongly convicted of a jilted lover murder, and Red has him pegged initially as a weakling. Andy’s intelligence and resilience soon changes Red’s mind, and a beautiful friendship ensues. Andy’s skills are availed to great benefit, not only by fellow inmates, but by the guards and eventually the cruel warden (Bob Gunton). When a fellow inmate comes forward with evidence of Andy’s innocence, the warden literally buries any chance of Andy getting free. All seems lost, but Andy Defresne, always understated, always thinking, has fashioned his own redemption—even a way to help old Red, should he ever be released.

As someone who has worked in Corrections for many years, I always find it amusing that, more often than not, the inmates are the heroes, and the guards are the villains. But this is really a story of the power of friendship. In the most oppressive, hopeless of environments, clinging to hope through friendship allows these characters to weather their storms and come out the other side united.

SHAWSHANK also had the misfortune of coming up against Forrest Gump, which shellacked all competition at the Oscars that year—so it couldn’t even sweep the trophies at the time. It sounds like an apologist, making all kinds of excuses for a lesser product. But no excuses are needed; its quality and timelessness are undeniable. It is a totem for something transcending the perceptions of success or value to find its audience. It is, without exaggeration, one of the finest films ever made. This is the very definition of a perfect movie.

The Film Vault Range - 4K UHD + Blu-ray [UK]

Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray - September 4, 2023
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Japanese, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; French (Canada): Dolby Digital 2.0; French: Dolby Digital 2.0; German: Dolby Digital 2.0; Italian: Dolby Digital 2.0; Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0; Chinese: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0; Hungarian: Dolby Digital 2.0; Polish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

VIDEO

Warner’s delivers a solid 2160p native scan, that according to cinematographer Roger Deakin, steers much closer to his original vision. This makes for a decidedly different colour pallet than the blu-ray of yore, especially in the prison scenes. HDR10 is understated and sparingly applied. Contrast and delineation between objects are improved some. Rare for a 4K, but our old nemeses—black crush— rears its ugly head a couple of times, obscuring shadow detail. But for the most part, the transfer’s presentation is filmic, consistent and a marked upscale from the former 1080p release.

AUDIO

Hmmm. They’ve not given this film a new 7.1 mix. It always boggles my mind, given the storage space on these 4K discs, with a marquee title, why you wouldn’t give it the best possible sound available. We do get a new DTS-HD 5.1 mix to replace the DOLBY TrueHD mix, but all it really did—to my ears—was up the base. There was a lost opportunity for environmental effects and immersive overhead channel work. Not a bad mix by any stretch but a letdown for me, nonetheless.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• With director Frank Darabont

Special Features:

So, I was sent a big-assed ‘limited edition’ Film Vault edition from the UK. The Brits seem to get a lot of these sort of collector focused titles. This one is an oversized box, encased in a sturdy plastic slipcover. Inside you will find a cheap cardboard CD-sized wallet with the 4K and blu ray enclosed (The blu ray is the old scan, so perfect if you wanna see the difference). You get a ream of enclosed paper-related ephemera (lobby cards, posters) and a rather nice and heavy paperweight, with your edition number etched in. My paperweight had made mincemeat out of the cardboard compartment, travelling halfway across the world. But as I was lucky enough to be sent a copy for review, I’ll live with it (bloody ungrateful whiner). After quickly perusing what these sets go for at retail, I wouldn’t drop the coin on what they’re asking for it.

The blu-ray has all the copious features previously released on earlier versions. Generous but I won’t repeat myself without new content.

• Commentary with director Frank Darabont
• 2 Documentaries: Hope Springs Eternal; A Look Back at The Shawshank Reemption, Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature
• Comic Spool
• The Shawshank Redemption Stills
• Storyboards and Collectibles Galleries
• Theatrical Trailer

Description of Contents of The Shawshank Redemption - The Film Vault 005 Collection

• Limited addition of 5000 worldwide.
• New key art by Matt Ferguson in Florey from vice Press.
• Acetate O-ring removes for type free display of your key art.
• Exclusive individually-numbered crystal display plaque.
• Rigid clamshell box with magnetic closure.
• Seven collectible character cards – with film quotes.
• Reproduction of Andy's buried letter for red.
• Double sided reproductions of original theatrical posters.
• Poster of the new key art.
• Feature film on both 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 142 mins
Director: Frank Darabont
Writer: Frank Darabont
Cast: Tim Robbins; Morgan Freeman; Bob Gunton
Genre: Drama
Tagline: Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
Memorable Movie Quote: "I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living, or get busy dying."
Theatrical Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site:
Release Date: October 14, 1994
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: September 4, 2023.
Synopsis: Over the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.