*THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION* FIRST TIME WATCHING MOVIE REACTION 

"Are we going to have a bromance here?" Only one of the best in film history.

After seeing this movie probably 100 times, sometimes I forget how perfect this film is.. and then I watch it through someone's eyes for the first time, and I remember. A masterpiece.

7:43 "Are we gonna have a bromance here?" Yes, yes we are. The best bromance in movie history IMO.

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" is a novella that appeared in the Stephen King collection "Different Seasons"

Loved when Andy was telling Haywood about The Count of Monte Cristo. That sly little smile has a whole different meaning when you know the ending.

It's actually Red's story, not Andy's. The redemption was Red's. He dismissed hope and his last line in the film is "I hope..."

I will never get tired of this movie. If I come across it on TV I'll sit and watch it from any point. It definitely takes you up and down emotionally and the pay off when Andy escapes is so satisfying that you can't help but be happy.

I've seen this movie countless times, and yet I'm always moved to tears. Brooks' suicide and the movie's ending always get me.

"Can you imagine being innocent, in prison that long..." It is actually a rather common occurrence in the United States.

I cannot count how many times i have seen this film, everytime tears.We all can relate to the feeling of despair,injustice, hope and friendship.

One of the best reveals of all time. Such a good movie. “Pressure and time.”

I've watched this film easily over 50 times and it never gets old, it has the number 1 spot on IMDB and for damn good reason.

Brooks' death breaks everyone. It's one of the most harsh "Life isn't fair" moments in movie history.

My absolute favorite movie of all time! Fun Fact, when Morgan Freeman's character, "Red" first meets Andy, Red is throwing the baseball. for that scene, it took all day and Morgan Freeman blew out his arm. but, Freeman never complained about it and just kept throwing that damn ball. also for me personally, Freeman's VO work in this film is my favorite of all time. 2nd place is probably Ray Liotta in Goodfellas.

Was waiting for this one, Jen. For me, and I imagine many others, this one ranks in my top five all time movies.

Hey Jen, In Shawshank prison, hope is such a dangerous thing. Andy made hope the best of things. "Cause you can get busy living, or get busy dying". Such a classic line. What an incredible mindset.

The score in Shawshank Redemption is so amazing. It speaks like another character in the movie. Especially during the intense dialogue moments. The single-note piano hits building to an eventual crescendo.

Greatest bromance in the history of movies.

I never get tired of this film. Anyone who can watch this or "The Green Mile" without shedding tears is a sociopath. Such great films.

This movie and "The Green Mile" are like peanut butter and jelly to all movie reactors. They are both seen almost one after the other and everyone (including me) end up loving both films tremendously. Your reaction is so genuine and sincere that it brings a smile to my face. ☺ Red's freedom was more heartfelt because he was locked up for 40 years, doubled that of Andy. I'm glad that they both ended up happy. 🎥❤

I sobbed through the whole film. I'd read the book before which was called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption " and bawled through the book. The film didn't disappoint on any front

Stephen King hit it out of the park with The Shawshank Redemption and the Green Mile, both were not his normal Genre of writings, but both wound up being his best works.

Bob Gunton (the Warden) and Clancy Brown (Captain Hadley) are the unsung heroes of this movie. They played their roles impossibly well, and you don't just HATE them, you DESPISE them. And it's their performance that really add the grounding reality to the movie, and it makes the payoff at the end THAT much more satisfying and impactful. Full credit to Robins and Freeman and laterally EVERYONE in the movie, but Gunton's and Brown's performances are beyond legendary in this film. It wouldn't be anywhere near the same without them.

Jen, today you were fortunate enough to pick the uplifting movie that defines uplifting movies. I'll never forget how people were sobbing in the theater went it was released. IT's a tough act to follow. Continued kudos to you on your continued exquisite palette in movies you choose. Just stay away from the bad ones

"I hope." Best line in the movie. It brings a tear to my eye. 😢 😊 And there is reason why it's the highest rated movie on IMDB.

I've seen this movie over 100 times. Watching with you was like the first time all over again; I cried with you. Wonderful reaction!

Red in the book was Irish which is why it is funny when Morgan Freeman answered Andy's question about his name with "Maybe it's because I'm Irish." Also, the "younger Red" in Red's mugshot is actually Morgan Freeman's son.

So glad you reacted to and enjoyed this film. Red walking up the beach and not caring that his hat flew off because he was so happy to see Andy...whew! The camera pulling back as they walked toward each other and then the embrace...I still tear up! I like to imagine that they sat there on that beach till almost dark getting caught up.

Argh, that Brook's scene gets me every time. I remember the first time I saw this was when it was on TV one evening, had no idea what the movie was and just started watching it without plans of finishing - I could not leave it. And every time it was on TV again, I had to watch it. great movie, great reaction!

Red: 17:13 "Hope is a dangerous thing." 31:59 "I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Thanks for a great reaction! 👍

We sat there watching Jen's movie reaction while drinking beer with the sun on our shoulders, and we felt like Free Men!

A must watch for everybody I think. The twist we probably didn’t see coming but was being built before our eyes. What a masterpiece.

Loved seeing you so reaction video to this movie. I am a 52 year old guy and mentioned this movie to an intern at work and she had no idea as she never heard of it. I wasn’t completely surprised and was simply reminded am getting old😊 Always nice to see a person who is younger enjoy aand appreciate a well made movie with heart like this. On a side note-I don’t like horror movies either so am not a fan or Steven King-but he is really a genius in many ways as he wrote this and a plethora of other books that have become movies. I think he has written so many books-people discount how brilliant he must be to do so… almost like paradox of someone who is a genius-if they do so much-almost becomes devalued.

This masterpiece deserves to be top ..and watching your reaction to it makes me want to watch it again.. great video..glad you enjoyed it 😊

A great little nugget that gets missed by a lot of people is that, when the warden finds the Bible in the safe after Andy's escape, the hollowed-out place where the rock hammer was hidden is right at the book of Exodus. Nice touch.

I see other reactors who show little to no emotions to incredibly moving scenes in movies and I'm left feeling that they are either not very invested in what they are watching or that they just don't have the emotional maturity. It's one of the reasons that I always enjoy your reactions.

This movie is just amazing, remember seeing it and thanks to so many reruns, one of the movies I know pretty well. Such a classic. Another great review Jen!!

"A beautiful mind" with russel crow is another happy sad movie

This film has some really hard hitting, emotional, and outright ugly moments, but the way the characters hold on to the truth they know of, the hope that can set them free, the humanity they must hold onto in the face of a brutal prison system, makes this my favourite feel good movie, all worth it for that ending where Andy and Red unite and embrace as free men on the beach at the edge of that beautiful deep blue sea. Then the credits soundtrack kicks in and swells, and a big smile comes across my face and tears run. I love this movie. Best reveal shot in cinema history too when the warden pulls back the poster, and you just go “Ohhhh MAN!”

Great reaction! I really enjoyed it. I've watched this film many, many times over the last 25 years. I've also just watched it in reaction form about 20 times in the last few days. One thing I noticed is that we never see Andy smile showing his teeth until the very end. There are a few subtle smiles with his lips at various points, but even when the other inmates are laughing Andy never shows his teeth until he's a free man in Mexico and he sees Red. That's what transforms his face and helps make him look like a young man who has no memory of the hell he endured. Edit: I missed Andy's smile when he got the $200 from the state Senate--he does smile with his teeth then for a brief moment. I'll have to watch the full movie again to see if I missed any other occurrences...

Bit of symbolism for you when Brooke's leaves prison the shot looks back into the prison showing he has no hope and wants to return but when Red leaves the shot goes through the gate showing Red is ready to move on since Andy gave him purpose, it's the same with the bus scenes Brooke's is holding the bars where Red is holding his bag. For a fun Tim Robbins film you would probably like Nothing to Lose (1997) it also stars Martin Lawrence.

Great reaction to a wonderful movie. Btw, one way to tell that Red (Morgan Freeman's character) upon his parole wasn't going to end up like Brooks, was the way both of their prison-release scenes were shot. Brooks prison release scene was shot from the camera perspective of him feeling cast away from his home (prison); while Red's prison release scene was shot from a different camera perspective, to give the impression that he was casting away prison, and moving forward towards brighter things.

Easily one of the best Shawshank Redemption reactions, nay best movie reactions period. Well done. So much emotion and passion. Looking forward to many more from your channel.

I always get emotional at the last words of the movie..."I hope to see my friend..and shake his hand"...it means more n more the older you get..👍

It's amazing how a movie can make you feel compassion for convicted criminals. You find yourself crying over Brooks and rooting for Red and hoping beyond hope that Andy is innocent. And their friendship ranks right up there with Sam and Frodo. Love your reactions, Jen. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this movie. I'm excited for what you have coming next.

For a funny Tim Robbins movie I suggest "Nothing to Lose" from 1997!

Jen, I just watched your video. This is a wonderful movie. Your reaction and commentary were great and emotional. This movie does say much about our judicial system. It is not perfect and never will be. Part of this story is of those who lost hope. Not in being free but in living day to day. It is also the story of those who keep hope alive when the odds are against you. You never know who you will influence just by living with hope. Great ending. Thank you for making my day brighter Jen. Looking forward to your next reaction, Take care. 🙂

Really wish I can go back and experience this for the first time again. Absolutely epic movie. The story of the urge and need of the human spirit to survive in hell on earth, never gets old. A beautiful reaction Jen.

This is more than a film.. its a story... it makes you smile, makes you cry.. makes you think.. and it makes you remember the friends you have and have lost .. this probably my fave film... Edit... gets me every time.... 58 bloke from Manchester UK.. wonderfull watching you watch it... Peace N love...

I hope. Those two words from Red at the ending are so strong, his 40 years are behind him and he's got hope again, something he lost in there (or ever had).

What a lovely reaction Jen! Such a roller coaster of emotions! It was even better that you started out thinking Andy was guilty. When his innocence was revealed, that changed everything for you. Brooks was so sad, but you could see how, after 50 years in prison, he wasn't able to cope with life outside. Very ironic and tragic that for him, prison was "home" and when he was on the outside, he was constantly afraid. Your tears of joy at the end made me tear up as well. That ending is just so satisfying! Keep doing what you're doing. You're a natural!

As we used to do I first picked Shawshank up at the video rental store. Through the beginning I was thinking to myself as to why I was looking at this…abuse, cruelty and murder in a most dismal surrounding? Well, the ending mad up for all the awful stuff in the beginning. A wonderful tale, well done.

Hey Jen! 🙂….This is by far my favorite movie reaction on your channel. Your reaction to Brooks was so genuine and heartfelt, and how surprised you were when you found out Andy escaped. This movie is one of my favorites and can you imagine how the tone of this movie would have been if Tom Hanks hadn’t of turned down the roll bc he was already committed to Forest Gump? Great reaction to a great movie!

That last scene where Red and Andy see each other wasn't originally in the movie, but the test audience threw such a fit about wanting to see the two reunite the director shot that last scene, and I just can't imagine this movie without it! :) Another movie starring Tim Robbins that you really need to see is The Hudsucker Proxy. It's fantastic! :D X) Loved your reaction to this movie! Exactly how I felt the first time I saw it.

It's hard to put into words what this movie means to many of us. It's a nearly perfect movie, and really glad you discovered it finally.

Thank you Jen for your channel. I've seen these films so many times and it's a total joy to watch a young person from a younger generation experience them with fresh eyes. It brings my heart joy to know that there is somebody out there who appreciates great films and I look forward to your future videos.

This is one of my favorite films. I cry every time. The photo of young Red in his file is actually Morgan Freeman’s son.

Glad you liked this, Jen... and this should have won the Oscar for Best Picture

You did a really nice job with this, Jen. “The Shawshank Redemption” has stuck with me since the first time I saw it in 1994. As you point out, it is about hope. “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. That’s God-damned right. For the second time in my life, I’m guilty of committing a crime. Parole violation. ‘Course, I don’t think they’ll put up any roadblock for that. Not for an old crook like me. I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey, whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope I can see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.”

14:17 I want to take a moment to illustrate the tragedy of Brooks Hatlen. At his release from Shawshank Prison, in 1954, he was 72 years old. That was at the end of a 50-year sentence, so he was locked up in 1904 when he was 22. Consider the man we're seeing, right here. Consider all the changes that have happened between the beginning of his sentence and the end. I think we're pretty well justified in presuming that this is the first motorized vehicle he's ever ridden in. He was taken from a world without radio or TV transmissions, and in which indoor plumbing was a bit of a novelty. While he was locked up, the nation had two world wars and the Great Depression. The first transmissions for both media happened, and now he's being released back into a world in which everyone has at least one radio and at least one TV in their home. As he explains in the narrative, before he was locked up, he saw _one_ single car, which I can only figure had to have seemed like about the greatest possible novelty. While he was locked up, 50 model years came and went. Now that he's being released, _everybody_ has a car, and the cars they have are very different. When he was locked up, nobody had electric lighting. Not in the outside world nor in the prison. Now, _everybody_ has it. When he was locked up, most people didn't have indoor, powered refrigeration units. The closest they could come was iceboxes, named for the daily shipments of ice they depended on. Clearly, the world into which he is being released is _profoundly_ different from the one from which he was taken. He would probably be able to adapt if he still had his youth, but he's in his 70's, now. He's retirement age. They have _no_ business expecting him to reintegrate by bagging _groceries,_ of all things. Personally, I sure hope _this_ part has changed, nowadays. Personally, it is my hope that, _nowadays,_ people released from prison in their 70's are set up with comfortable pensions and moved into retirement homes.

Hadley's $35k inheritance from his brother sounds moderate, but in 1949 money that is equivalent to more than 10x as much today.

The warden is the epitome of the old adage ‘power corrupts’. And don’t worry, Brooks’ demise breaks down even the hardest heart…

So glad you watched this one. The cast and writing are amazing. Ultimately I think the star is the story itself. The journey of these two unlikely friends to an unexpected happy reunion and ending. I think once you've seen The Shawshank Redemption it stays with you.....always.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I like seeing folks on RU-vid experience it for the first time. Thanks for uploading this reaction! Your tears are our tears!

I never get bored rewatching this masterpiece. This and Green Mile are the best movies I've ever seen in my life, I notice Stephan Kings non horror stories are actually the better ones due to their more realistic take. The irony about this movie is most first time viewers think Andy would kill himself but instead the Warden was the one who ultimately committed suicide after Andy exposed him

Bob Gunton, who played the warden, was the body double stand-in for Harold Ramis in the Ghostbusters Afterlife movie. Just gave that final ghostly scene some extra feels.

This movie never gets old. It rotates within the top spot for highest rated film on IMDb, currently at a 9.3/10. I currently have the Rita Hayworth poster as my wallpaper on my iPhone. Stephen King is beyond brilliant. If you haven’t seen Stand By Me, I can’t recommend that film enough, as im sure others would agree. Thank you for your reactions, Jen. I have no regrets subscribing to your content.

This is one of the only movies that is actually a better story than the book. Easily a top 5 movie of all time.

This has been the highest audience rated film on IMDB for as long as I can remember.

first Ally McBeal reference i have heard in years lmao. that got me good

When I was 16 and worked at my local grocery store, my coworkers who were of older years were convicts and a lot of them just felt that they needed to work to be like it was inside prison. It made me feel kinda sad because one of our best guys would always decline promotions because he just wanted to be around people so the position was what he enjoyed. The Brooks scene always gets me.

I think this was the first movie to have Morgan Freeman do narrations. The first of many movies and documentaries that he would narrate. A great voice for it.

I love how the rock hammer was carved in to Chapter 2 of the bible, Exodus.

You're reaction when Brooks end his life, I just wanted to reach through the screen and say" It's okay, it's okay, don't cry!" lol

This reaction was awesome&very wholesome at the same time. It's always fun to see people genuinely surprised at all the fun twists the movie takes. I hate the reactions where ppl play detective&try to guess everything before it happens, it's never about watching the film&always about proving how smart they are for guessing ahead of time. Glad this channel exists tbqh. P.S. 1:28-1:34 shocked me, I've never heard of that before but I'll definitely hang onto that nugget, going forward.

This is the greatest movie of all time. Number one on IMDb for decades. Forrest Gump won Best Picture but no one talks about that movie or hands it down to their next generation people as much as The Shawshank Redemption.

One of my favorite movies. I watch it anytime it comes on TV, and stick in the DVD when it is not. I loved your reaction with Brooks, and it had you guessing on the ending.

I could listen to Morgan Freeman read a phone book. P.S. I have seen this film a hundred times and never realized the irony of the Warden's comment "Salvation lies within" While handing Andy the Bible back with his rock hammer in it...damn.

The music when Red is going to find the big tree/black obsidian......that music si so atmospheric. The whole soundtrack is awesome.

Brooks monologue makes me weep large tears. Every. Single. Time.

One of my favourite lines in this movie... "I Like to think the last thing that went through his head, other than that bullet..." I mean there is a lot to love in this movie, and it holds up no matter how many times you watch, but that bit of morbid humour gets me every time.

So glad you finally watched Shawshank Jen, i remember clearly the first time i watched it and next day told pretty much everyone i knew who hadnt seen it to watch it ASAP. Shawshank will always be in my best and fav movies of all time, the plot, the cast, the twist and turns in the movie is just so well put together that i never tire watching it at least once a year. Glad you enjoyed it Jen and keep the great movie reactions coming lovely.

This video made me realize that despite having seen this movie many times on TV over the past few decades, I've never actually seen the beginning.

Norton wasn’t gonna try and get out of it, his plan was to take many officers down with him. But in the end just chose to take himself out.

Morgan freeman son was in the movie. The one that was saying reeling them in reeling then in. When they were getting out of the bus

So glad you've seen and enjoyed. Retroactive hug for when you dealt with Brooks.

I love your sarcastic comment... Is this going to be a bromance? Your dam right it is. The book is a little different, but Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins made the movie magic.

One night, in the summer of 2005, during a solo backpacking trip through Europe, I was staying at a hostel in La Spezia Italy, which is near the Cinque Terre. Me and a group of about 12 other guests from various parts of the world ate dinner together and after a few bottles of wine, we decided to rummage though the DVD collection they had there. This was in there and nobody except me had seen it - nobody had even heard of it. I convinced everyone that it was the one we had to watch and guaranteed that they would all love the movie. I was right.

The reveals are so satisfying but also, on additional viewings, once you know how things work out all of Andy's subtle expressions seem to make a lot more sense because you can see he's plotting all along. Great reaction & Great edit. Really enjoyed watching it.

Great Reaction, Jen! Both "The Shawshank Redemption" & "The Green Mile" are absolute masterpieces that will always be talked abut together. Both screenwritten and directed by by Frank Darabont. Both original stories by Stephan King. Both prison movies, yet distinctly different.

Yea! Shawshank. My favorite background RU-vid channel strikes again.

"Perhaps I should rob the Foodway , so they will send me 'home'." You are (probably) the only Reacter I have seen who CAUGHT that; very profound, throwaway line. It REALLY speaks to Brooks mindset. He truly was "institutionalized". Also Jen, it was NEVER about "trust" between the Warden & Andy! It was about Power & Control. Andy had NO Power, the Warden had ALL the Power. (And thus THOUGHT he had Andy under his Control.) To the Warden, Andy was just an extremely valuable ASSET that (was the ONLY one who) could do the things the Warden needed done.

Never tire of watching this film. The music, by Thomas Newman is the perfect accompaniment to this classic. He also did the music for The Green Mile.

So glad it gave you ALL the feels. Never fails. Just a nearly perfect film.

LOL, a gun is definitely used in the third act. Utter brilliance. :)

"Get busy living or get busy dying..." Greatest line in cinema! Andy & Red are truly best friends! Awe poor Brooks he was just out of place in the outside world! Thats institionalized! Great reaction Jen ❤️💛

You said this was Andy's story. I think one of the movie's bigger twists is that it's actually Red's story, and Red's redemption. That sort of thing is open to interpretation, but give it some thought, maybe see the movie again sometime, and I think what I'm talking about will make more sense.

Fun fact: Tim Robbins (who played Andy) now works with prisons to run acting programs to help rehabilitate criminals. Apparently the recidivism rate among prisoners who participate is practically zero.

Fun fact Captain Hadley is the guy who voiced Mr Krabs in SpongeBob Clancy Brown

great reaction. and yes, brooks death is an incredibly heavy one to bear. I've seen a lot of reactions to this movie, as it's one of my favorite movies, and every single time, everyone cries when brooks takes his life. great reaction to this movie.