FIRST TIME WATCHING: Shawshank Redemption 

The scene where Andy's cell is tossed actually gets a LOT more suspenseful once you know the twist, as you see just how close Norton came to finding the tunnel behind the poster, and then taking the Bible with the rock hammer inside.

I think the ending has actually been rated one of the most satisfying film ending scenes of all time and I can totally see why. It wasn't in the original King novel but was added later because the filmmakers (not all of them, some disagreed) thought the audience deserved to see them reunite and for a kind of catharsis to happen.

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I love the fact that Red described Andy's plans of going to Mexico as "shitty pipe dreams", and then Andy had to literally crawl through a shitty pipe in order to make them a reality.

It’s nice to watch a reaction where James hasn’t seen it yet 😂 This movie is phenomenal 🖤💕

Did you notice the progression of Red's parole hearings? The way the board welcomed him into the room? 1. Sit... 2. Sit Down... 3. Please sit down... I always thought that was an interesting way to highlight society's progression in their treatment of criminals. Shawshank, in particular (if it had been real), must have seen a very drastic transformation after the events that Andy exposed to the world! I love this movie and you guys are really awesome to relive it with!

Brooks' fate is sadder because it's not only that he spent 50 years, most of his life, in prison and he has nothing outside when he's released. It's WHICH 50 years he spent in prison. He went in before things like electricity, house phones, cars, movies, TV, indoor plumbing, etc., were normal everyday things, so he was thrown out into a world that's not only different because he's no longer in prison but also because it changed so much from the world he knew before he went to prison. He was basically thrown into an alien planet with zero support.

Brooks scene always makes me cry... I also love when he is out and says "i saw a automobile once when i was a kid", like just how much he missed over the years, the world he left when he went to prison is no longer the same world he now joined when he got out. And you can just feel that he is so scared to be on the outside. He did deserve better then what he got in The end. 😢

Im really happy that you guys realised that the Redemption was reds, not Andy's. Andy didn't need a Redemption, he was always innocent and he never gave up, it was really reds story disguised as andy

What's wild to think about is that Andy was ready to leave, but still stuck around to help Tommy. And when his legitimate way out is taken away, he goes through with his original plan.

This prison IS a real prison, in the city where I live in Ohio. It's obviously not operating now, but it's a tourinst attraction, and they have haunted prison tours around Halloween, and hold a metal festival there called "Incarceration". The stone wall and the tree ar ealso in the area, but the tree is gone now after it was struck by lightning.

The moment where you said “it’s funny he polished his shoes” made me smile huge and subscribe. No one has ever noticed that before. I’m 60 and I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen that scene and didn’t notice. You guys are very mature and intelligent with some great insights.

I like how when Red is released the guards look upon him with some level of reverence.

I saw this film on the big screen when it first came out. That end scene with the blue ocean was so vibrant after the whole film being shades of grey, it felt like freedom.

Fun fact: Byron Hadley, the chief prison guard is played by Clancy Brown, who is the voice of Mr Krabs.

I think the idea that they're playing with thematically is that Shawshank is a kind of purgatory, overseen by demons, and Andy comes to redeem the sinners (hence "redemption" in the title). Red, the only one who admits his guilt and is ready to turn away from it, is the one who is most "saved." Or, in less religious terms, all of us are in prisons of our own making, but you can reject that imprisonment and escape.

Ninetailbrush:”“What’s interesting is that he still polished his shoes”. *5 minutes later* Red: “How often do you really look at a man’s shoes?” Damn, I think you’re the first person I’ve seen catch that.

This movie is about a lot of different things, but in the end, the main thing it's about to me, is friendship. The friendship between Andy and Red.

I spent an embarrassingly long time thinking you guys were Skyping, between the poster and the blanket the image is incredibly symmetrical.

All these Stephen King reactions, I’m still waiting for Carrie and Pet Sematary 😂

After seeing this a million times I'm just listening to Mr Krabs' (Clancy Brown's) voice

definitely the best stephen king adaptation ever

It actually left you speechless at the end there for a few seconds there. That made me smile, there is no bigger show of appreciation. Best movie of all time for me.

Never saw one of your vids before. I like these two dudes! I can see hanging out with them.

Andy didn't have any time to finish his escape after he was thrown in hole for two months, so he was ready to go before that. He stayed to help Tommy get his High School diploma.

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF ALL TIME!!

I think one of the most Underrated scenes is when red is sitting down, by the wall at the end. It's so peaceful, just nature around him. There's just something about it.

Still the greatest movies ever made!!

This film is one of those films that has a brilliant twist. I remember the first time I watched it and the way he escaped shocked me so much 😂😁. I’m doing the book by Stephen King for A Level English because I love it so much 😂😂

Time to cry again! Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. Also, the opera broadcast scene gets me every time. 😭

Have you done “stand by me”? Based on the novella “the body” (Stephen king Different seasons) same book that featured the novella “Rita Heyworth and the Shawshank Redemption “

38:20 Red to Andy on Hope - "You'd best stop talking about (hope). It's just a shi**y pipe dream." (Seen this 30 times and only now catching the pun.)

I don't know about back in the day. I worked at a prison for a short period of time and the new transfers were taken into one section of the prison and each had their own cell to change their clothes in (while watched and they were still searched - squat and cough and all that) but at least a little more privacy and they weren't paraded naked into their new living quarters. Took a while to check them in though, each one not only was searched but also had a medical exam and mental health exam before going into the rest of the prison. Also, while length of time to serve can play a role in their security level for which prison they go to, you can have a 3 year sentence guy with a life sentence guy if the 3 yr sentence guy tends to be a handful and the life sentence guy has been behaving. The first time we see Red giving his spiel to the parole board, he was being sincere, the second time as well as though you could hear him tiring of giving it. He basically said the same thing that last time only gave it in a fed up tone because he felt there was no point. So they didn't release him because he sounded more sincere but because the parole board was actually doing their jobs correctly this time rather than being paid off to keep people in the prison system.

You're absolutly right! This isn't a spur-of-the-moment watching. This film stays with you, and the first view is also the deepest! Good show, guys!

Absolute epitome of perfect film

You're dead on with your analysis. The Redemption in the movie title is Red;s not Andy's. Good review.

rewatch the scene with brooks out of prison. You can notice how people in shots are regularly facing away from him, creating a subcontious feeling of iscolation for brooks.

One of the best endings in a movie ever.

All these movies made in the 90s have something special about them. No CGI, but epic as well. Another amazing 1990s movie is «Dances With Wolves». It hasn’t hit RU-vid yet but it will. Be one of the first to react to.

This is one of the tightest scripts ever written. Every single little detail pays off later.

Ninetailedbrush is the only person to ever catch that Andy polished his shoes XD. Nice catch sir.

You noticed the shoes. That’s amazing. You’re a legend

Adjusted for inflation, $35,000 in 1949 is the equivalent to about $407,000 today. $370,000 in 1966 is equivalent to $3,125,000 today. Fun fact: Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman became friends while filming and remain close friends to this day.

The Greeks knew how to entertain with a lesson. In mythology, Hope convinced Pandora it was needed after the world troubles was released. Hope alone can be dangerous, or it can inspire ourselves (or others) to do great things we never imagined. The Shawshank Redemption deserve the top spot.

Happy 27th Anniversary "The Shawshank Redemption" (September 23, 1994)!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a good and great movie indeed.

54:45 That's what great cinema is all about.

I literally just transferred my VHS tape of this movie right as you uploaded this! Not to mention, Stephen King had celebrated his 74th birthday 3 days ago!

The Guy who yelling "Fresh Fish, Fresh Fish Today, We're Reeling em in." Is actually Morgan Freeman's son. He is also the guy you see as Young Red's mugshot.

when you think abt it, in the time brooks was in prison, two world wars had passed. when he went to prison, cars and roads weren’t even a proper thing. he was basically released into an alien world.

Stephen King can really write. If you've seen The Great Escape, watch Stalag 17.

This movie, The Green Mile, The Exorcist, Forrest Gump and Sling Blade are my 5 favorite movies of all time. You guys need to check out Sling Blade.

From what recall in the MASTERPIECE that is "Great Mouse Detective", a bullet will get marks on it when it's actually fired from a gun, and these are (or at least at some point were perceived to be) unique. So when they're talking about comparing the bullets to the gun, that's what they're referring to. If they had found his gun, fired bullets from it, and compared them to the bullets found in the bodies, they may have found some evidence that it wasn't him.

Good for you for being troubled by what happened to Boggs! It’s meant to still be uncomfortable not just a celebration of a bad guy getting his comeuppance. Mind you, I cheered the first time I watched it, but I’m not a nice person lol.

$370,000 in ‘75 (when Andy escaped) is equal to just under $2.1 million now

one thing I love about this film is that a lot of people start out thinking, oh ok it's going to be about a prison break and the system, but as the film goes on so many other things happen that people forget about the prison break. That's how you do a cliché properly

Something I feel is missed by many (and I didn't notice until my second watch) is how Red is spoken to at each parole meeting. The first time, it's 'Sit'. The second time, it's 'Sit down.' And the third, it's 'Please, sit down'. A notable change in attitude over the years.

This movie is ranked the #1 all time best movie ever on IMDB. A deserving position.

I LOVE the scene when they experience the music through the loudspeakers. It shows the importance of how much these guys have missed in the world. Music stopped their movement!

this has been my favorite movie for more than 20 years. i'm so, so glad to see this reaction for you guys.

Hard to explain why this movie works so well. Not a great deal happens and it runs for 2 hours+, but it's riveting. When I see this on TV I can jump in at any point and still enjoy it thoroughly.

Probably my favorite thing about this movie is how many little things that didn’t seem significant at the time ended up being part of Andy’s escape plan. From walking the grounds to the poster on the wall to the rock hammer to running the books for the guards to Andy’s speech to Red, every little thing was significant. The ultimate set up and payoff.

- That's a good movei. - That's interesting yeah. :DDD Great Reaction, Guys!

I can't believe I missed you guys reacting to this until now. This is on my short list of "perfect" films for sure! Everyone needs to watch this ❤️

The guy that plays captain hadley also plays mr krabs

I'll never forget the first time I saw this film. I was taking part in a scholars program and a bunch of us were in our main hall (think "large and impressive stone building"). As the penultimate scene approached a big thunderstorm rolled through the campus. It couldn't have set that scene up better.

Fantastic commentary after this movie guys! You truly understood the deeper meaning that make this film one of the greats. You hit all of the major points that create this beautiful story. It's a film you'll never forget & will make you smile when you think of it. That famous quote will never leave you. "Get busy living or get busy dying". ❤✌📽

"like it's a power thing" - yes, in practice the institution of prisons, in most cases, is exercise of power rather than the fairy tale of rehabilitation. What an incredible question to ask.

The thing about this movie is that when it first came out, it barely broke even despite positive reviews. Where it really shone was the new VHS market, when people discovered it at home and it got great word of mouth genuine reviews from friends and family. Then Hollywood finally clued in.

You can see why this movie is considered one of the best that has ever been made. The story is fantastic, the characters and their evolution, the shots, and the score. The whole thing. Epic. Glad you guys got to enjoy it!

yes movies that make you think, to open up discussion without preaching to you and telling you what you are supposed to think.

One of the best movies ever. I'd say read the short story as well, it's an amazing read for not being overly long. One of Stephen Kings' best work.

I have seen this movie a bunch of times and i really wasn't expecting to get emotional with the ending but i did, indeed an amazing movie, one of my favorites along with "The prestige"

Chinese guy is a robot, did you not feel the emotional rollercoaster? His first reaction was, it was interesting, mine was wow through tear filled eyes.

So cool to get to see you two experience a classic like this for the first time! IMO, King is always at his best whilst weaving together tiny (seemingly insignificant but VITAL) details that merge to craft an incredible and clever conclusion. :) Another film I think you’d enjoy is “What Dreams May Come” - another heartbreakingly heartfelt Robin Williams movie. It was received with mixed reviews because it’s pretty trippy and deals with/challenges some really rough subjects, but I’ve always enjoyed it. Given some of the themes addressed, the loss of Mr. Williams makes a few of the scenes hit doubly hard. It’s a film that makes you think, for sure.

Thanks, James! Thanks, Ninetailedbrush! ⚖️ One of the greatest stories of all-time... excellently executed.

Fun fact -- Red's cell number is the same as the room number in The Shining. (YOU know which room I mean)

I've only just realised that the prosecutor in the beginning is also one of the guards in The Green Mile and this is my favourite film.

You guys are Great! Thanks for the entertaining and engaging reactions!

One cinematic thing I love about this movie is the parallel of the scenes with Brooks and Red leaving shawshank. With Brooks, it shows Brooks with Shawshank behind him, showing his institutionalisation, but when Red leaves, it shows the outside world, showing Reds going to make it

Deffo one of the top 3 King screen adaptations. Great reaction guys!

To ‘match’ the guns, they’d have to fire a round through Andy’s gun (the one in the river) and check to see if the rifling marks on that bullet matches the bullets that were used to kill his wife & the golf pro.

You should really check out The Last Castle. An excellent prison movie. Another outstanding reaction and analysis, guys!

Greatest movie ever. Congrats! You've seen two of the three Frank Darabont/Stephen King adaptations. One left - The Mist.

Shawshank is definitely a fantastic movie!! But so is that one represented by the poster on your wall. I think you guys should get a standing ovation just for having that poster up...haha!

OMG young guys watching this all these years later. I remember the mall, the movie theater, the hot girl at the counter who sold me tickets to see this (albeit alone) in the 90s. Christ I walked out of the movie theater wonder what da hell I just seen. How amazing is this story? Every second is developing something bigger. Wow. I'm so grateful you guys would upload your experience with this movie. It brings me back to the 90s watching this in the movies. I "sub" to your channel but moreover, I love seeing you realize what is REALLY going on this this F**K-AWESOME story. So satisfying.

My favorite movie! Love to see the next generation seeing it for the first time. I am a classics movie buff and think you guys would enjoy "The African Queen" with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn.

Love this movie! It's one of my all time favorites for sure!

That is a real prison. The exterior shots were shot at the reformatory in Mansfield Ohio.

I love this movie! Thank you for watching and reacting, I enjoyed seeing this movie through a new perspective! My fan theory is that Randall Stevens was the name of the chubby fat guy that died early in the movie, and Andy figured this out and paid tribute to him. Just my theory, though it's not addressed in the book, which I would also suggest reading. Thanks again!

It's a great movie. The reason I think the warden would never let him go has nothing to do with how useful Andy is. It's that Andy knows all the details of the corruption going on. Andy, if freed, knows enough to put the warden in prison. And Andy, as a former prisoner, would have motivation to want payback on that warden. He could easily trade his testimony for immunity, so claiming he was just as vulnerable to prosecution was not going to fool the warden. If he didn't escape he was never getting out of that prison alive.

This film is epic, so glad ye saw it. It taught me so much about life

Just found your channel! Im really enjoying the in depth conversation throughout and following the movie. Best wishes to you both and for your channel. Much love and appreciation, from Minnesota. ✌

It's hard to believe that the actor who plays the violent guard Mr. Hadley is the same actor who voices Mr. Krabs on Spongebob!

Great example of earning your happy ending. So satisfying.

in the scene where Norton discovers the hole Andy made you could see a poster of Einstein in the back, it's as if he's making fun of Norton for not noticing that hole until Andy escaped haha

Het guys! I just found your channel and watched your reaction to The Green Mile (love that movie) and now Shawshank which I also love. You probably know by now that Stephen King and Frank Darabont worked on both films. You may have also noticed that some of the actors were in both movies. Great reactions. Looking forward to watching more. 🙌🏼

One of the best written movies of our lifetime. When you watch it back, you'll notice gems like when the warden hands Andy back the Bible saying "salvations within"...The Bible that was housing the rock hammer at the time. 🔥

Good Evening. Although set in Maine, the prison used was the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. The large main building and Cell Block 1 are now a Museum. They offer tours, can be used for special occasions, and offer overnight cell accommodations for the brave. ( haunted ) The street scenes were primarily N. Main St where the shop owners agreed to have their stores redone to fit the time period. Many still look the same. The halfway house is the Bissman Building, and still looks the same today. The store was the E and B Market on 4th Street which has been torn down. I was fortunate to be an extra con in the yard scenes. The premiere was held at Mansfield's Renaissance Theatre, a restored 1929 movie palace, before New York and Los Angeles.. I also volunteered working the restoration. The prison was also used in the movie "Tango & Cash", and was the Russian cell block in "Airforce One". An interesting side note: In the bad winters, crows from 7 or 8 counties move into Mansfield by the hundreds due to large granaries between town and the prison. Brook's crow was a natural. I am 75 now with Parkinson's and don't get to attend movies. I enjoy the reaction videos on RU-vid.

This has always been one of my favourite King books AND films.. so beautiful and moving. Have you done Schindlers List yet? I don't remember.. Love watching you guys xxx

still the highest rated film on IMDB and has been for a while now - a masterpiece for the masses

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, great short story.