“The Shawshank Redemption” came out in October of 1994, and right away, the movie seemed as though it would float right into the abyss. Perhaps it was that “Forrest Gump” and “Pulp Fiction” were released around the same time, or maybe audiences didn’t think they could connect to such a movie.
Regardless of the reason, “The Shawshank Redemption” wasn’t an instant success. However, in 1995, the movie started to gain traction with audiences and was nominated for seven Academy Awards. Since then, “The Shawshank Redemption” has gained a following of loyal fans who enjoy all the many characteristics that make this movie great.
From the incredible acting to the passionate directing, numerous elements make this movie one of the best. Whether you are a massive fan of this iconic movie or know it by name only, there are plenty of facts that you may not know about “The Shawshank Redemption.”
“The Shawshank Redemption” tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to life in prison, and he spends almost 20 years in brutality with the hope of escaping eventually. The movie was filmed in an actual Ohio Prison, the Ohio State Reformatory, in Mansfield. This location gave a realness to the set. Of course, many more hidden facts about “The Shawshank Redemption” may interest you, so take a look at 25 more interesting facts below. (Read our list of the most legendary movie lines of all time.)
To compile a list of 25 facts you may not know about “The Shawshank Redemption,” 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment websites, including clips of the film and IMDb. Now, let’s read on for some fun facts about this iconic film.
The Novella is Called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
“The Shawshank Redemption” is originally a short story written by Steven King titled “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.” When the story was adapted into a movie, the front of the title was dropped, and it simply became “The Shawshank Redemption.”
Andy first uses a poster of Rita Hayworth to cover up the hole he begins to dig. She was a popular pinup girl in the 1940s. However, when the movie was being produced, many people thought it was a biopic of Rita Hayworth, with numerous offers to play her coming in. Therefore, the name Rita Hayworth was dropped from the title.
They Had to Work Around Tim Robbins’ Height
Tim Robbins plays Andy Dufresne in the movie. However, one characteristic of this actor that needed a workaround was his height. At six feet and five inches tall, Robbins appears to tower over the other actors.
To counteract Robbins’ height in the movie, in most scenes, he is sitting, slouching, leaning, or in some position that makes him appear shorter.
Stephen King Sold The Rights to the Novella For $5,000
As mentioned before, “The Shawshank Redemption” is the work of Stephen King. Frank Darabont was an avid fan of King’s work. He especially longed to turn the novella into a film adaptation. When Darabont finally secured the rights to make the movie, Stephen King only sold it to him for $5,000.
King Never Cashed Darabont’s Check
When King received the check from Darabont, he didn’t cash it. Instead, after the movie had been out for years, he framed the check and sent it back to Darabont. The included note says, “In case you ever need bail money. Love, Steve.”
“The Shawshank Redemption” Didn’t Win An Oscar in 1994
When “Shawshank Redemption” came out, it didn’t do well at the box office and was essentially a box office flop. It’s possible that the film didn’t resonate with the audience, or they were more interested in watching the other popular movies premiering. Regardless of why, in 1994, “The Shawshank Redemption” was not as successful as originally anticipated, and it didn’t win an Oscar. However, the following year, the movie won seven Academy Awards. Since then, “The Shawshank Redemption” has had immense success and is considered a classic.
Tom Cruise Turned Down the Role of Andy
When “The Shawshank Redemption” was in the pre-planning stages, there were several actors whom the filmmakers wanted to play Andy. One of those actors was Tom Cruise. Cruise did a table read with the filmmakers and liked the script. However, he didn’t want to work with an inexperienced director. Therefore, he turned the role down.
Red’s Mugshots Are of Morgan Freeman’s Son
In the movie, Red’s mugshots are shown from his younger years. Instead of finding a younger yet random man to picture in these mugshots, the film went in a different direction. They used Morgan Freeman’s son, Alfonso, in the mugshot.
Alfonso Has a Second Cameo
Alfonso is pictured in the mugshot scenes and makes a second cameo in the movie. He plays the “fresh fish” con as Andy arrives at the prison. Alfonso shouts, “Fresh fish today,” as Andy walks through the crowd.
Darabont Wanted a Different Ending
Beyond being a movie about escaping prison, “The Shawshank Redemption” is also a beautiful story about a lasting friendship forged in the prison between Red and Andy. Therefore, ending the film with Andy and Red reuniting after years apart was only fitting. Andy manages to escape prison, and Red is on parole. Yet, he breaks his parole and crosses into Mexico, reuniting with Andy again.
However beautiful this ending is, it almost didn’t conclude this way. Darabont wanted to end the movie with the scene of Freeman on the bus, giving viewers a more ambiguous ending. Yet, Liz Glotzer, who felt the audience deserved to see the two back together, convinced Darabont to shoot the iconic ending with the possibility of not using it.
“Goodfellas” Was an Inspiration
Darabont was a big fan of Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.” He was inspired by the movie’s directing team, from the editing techniques to how time is depicted. Some say Darabont would watch the movie every Sunday to stay refreshed on the different techniques and directing styles.
If you watch the movies one after another, it is nearly impossible not to see the similarities.
Stephen King’s Name Was Kept Out of Promotions Intentionally
When Columbia Pictures did a test screening of “The Shawshank Redemption,” they believed it would be wise to leave Stephen King’s name out of promotions.
The thinking was simple. Steven King was best known at the time for his horror films. The goal was to appeal to a more general audience; therefore, leaving Steven King’s name out when advertising the movie would mean those who were not fans of horror movies may be willing to give the film a chance.
Tom Hanks Almost Played Andy
Another actor who almost played Andy was Tom Hanks. However, he could not commit to this role because he was already committed to another: “Forrest Gump.”
The Baseball Scene Injured Freeman’s Arm
The scene in the movie where Red tosses the baseball out in the prison yard took nine hours to shoot. Notably, Freeman was not a fan of Darabont’s long days, which included tedious hours of shooting six days a week, and for good reason. While Freeman was a champ during the shooting, throwing a baseball for nine hours injured his arm. As a result, he came to work the next day in a sling.
Frank Darabont Took a Pay Cut
Frank Darabont wrote the script for “The Shawshank Redemption” after securing the rights from King. However, another director wanted to take over. Rob Reiner loved the script and offered Dorabont 2.5 million dollars for the rights. Reiner planned to direct and cast Tom Cruise as Andy and Harrison Ford as Red.
Darabont considered the offer but ultimately wanted to direct the movie, even if he was inexperienced. So, he turned down the offer and took a considerable pay cut.
Tim Robbins Spent Time in Solitary Confinement
Tim Robbins, who played Andy, took his role very seriously. He wanted to make the effect of prison life as accurate as possible, so he spent time alone in solitary confinement to see how much of an effect it could have on a person.
While he was able to leave anytime he wanted, Robbins was aptly able to gather the torture and mental effect solitary confinement has on a person, which shows clearly through his acting on screen.
The Prison Set Almost Burned Down
The prison block set was created by putting plastic sheets over windows with lamps shining in. This was to give the illusion that it was daylight outside. However, putting hot lamps near plastic sheets is pretty hazardous.
One day, during a coffee break, the director and someone from the cast noticed a fire and were able to put it out. The whole set may have burned down if they weren’t there.
Frank Darabont Has Two Cameos
It is common for directors to have cameos in the movies they produce. Yet Darabont wanted to do his cameo differently by showing only his hands.
Those are not Robbins’s hands when Andy loads the revolver and carves his name into his cell wall. They are Darabont’s hands. If you look very closely, you can see the subtle differences.
The Movie Had a Small Release in September
The film had a limited release when it first came out. On September 23, 1994, “Shawshank Redemption” premiered in 33 theaters across North America. It only earned $727,000 on its opening weekend.
It has been said that Darabont and Glotzer visited a premiering theater to see the impact of the opening night, yet they found the theater empty.
The Significance of the Number 237
The number 237 appears in a few adaptations of Steven King’s Novels. The number of Red’s cell and the hotel door in “The Shining” is 237.
While 237 in Shawshank Redemption may be an ode to “The Shining,” it was not the original hotel room number in “The Shining” book. Kubrick changed it in the film. Additionally, it has been said that King was not a fan of the switch.
Charlie Sheen Wanted In
Charlie Sheen was a young actor during the 1990s, and when he heard about this script, he wanted to play Red. He offered to do a table read and even take the actor’s minimum. However, the filmmakers turned him down.
It’s possible Sheen just was too young for this role. If you think about it, by the time Andy arrives at the prison, Red has already served 20 years of his sentence.
Stephen King Had One Dislike About the Movie
Stephen King loved “The Shawshank Redemption,” but he did not like one specific aspect of it.
When Andy escapes, and the guards are looking for him, there is a climactic scene in which they rip off his poster and find the hole that Andy had dug.
King disliked this scene and thought it was very cartoony. Andy spent almost two decades digging this tunnel, and when it was finally revealed, it looked a little too neat.
American Humane Society Put a Stop to a Scene
There is a scene in the movie where Brooks feeds his crow. He keeps the crow as a pet, and it hides in Brooks’ pocket in one scene. The plan was for the crow to be fed a live maggot. After all, it’s just a maggot, right?
However, AHS stepped in and said feeding the live maggot to the crow was inhumane, so the scene had to stop. To continue, the crew searched the property for a dead maggot. When they finally found one, the scene was allowed to continue.
Helvetica Was Not Invented Until 1957
It’s not uncommon for some movies to have factual errors. Some of these noticeable errors contribute to the movie’s unrealistic nature. Other errors are inconsequential and do not play a significant role in the movie either. However, these errors are still entertaining to notice.
In the case of “The Shawshank Redemption,” this factual error is inconsequential but still fun to know. There is a scene where Red’s papers are being stamped; if you look closely, you will notice that the font used is Helvetica. Helvetica wouldn’t have been used since the movie takes place in 1947 because this font wasn’t invented until 1957.
Morgan Freeman Recorded His Voiceover First
It was more common then for actors to record voiceovers after filming. However, Morgan Freeman took the untraditional approach and recorded his voiceover before the movie began filming.
The plan was to use the voiceover during production so the actors could align their acting with it. However, the original audio was not very good, so Freeman had to re-record everything after production was wrapped up.
Historically Factual Depiction That Actually Matters
While it’s fun to watch a movie and notice tiny errors here and there that play no significant role, such as the Helvetica font, it’s great storytelling when we see historical facts being depicted correctly. This is the case for “The Shawshank Redemption.”
In 1966, the Miranda v. Arizona case came before the Supreme Court, resulting in the law that suspects must be read their rights upon arrest. In the movie, Andy escapes prison in 1966. At the end of the film, audiences can see guard Captain Hayley being arrested while also being read his Miranda Rights. (Now, read our list of the most hated movie characters ever.)