It's wonderful. A dark setting contrasts against the bright story and message. Brilliant main characters.
The Shawshank Redemption
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Gritty but comforting story of friendship.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–17
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Shawshank Redemption was written by Heather Boerner
Parents need to know that this movie is rated R for a reason: The gritty world of Shawshank Prison is populated with sadistic guards, a corrupt warden, and predatory fellow inmates. Two characters have sex (their clothes are on, and it's not graphic), one loveable character hangs himself, guards shoot an inmate and frame it as an escape attempt, inmates attempt and, we are told, succeed in raping Andy, and guards beat and kill an inmate in the opening scenes. But the film also shows inmates forming a loving community of friendship and support despite oppressive conditions.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the ways oppressed people have kept their spirit historically -- for example, through spirituals created by slaves. How do Andy and Red handle prison differently? How would you handle such a bleak future? Why did Brooks feel more comfortable in prison than out of prison? Why did Andy get Red a harmonica? What did that represent? Why did Red and Andy disagree on whether they should have hope for a better life? Did their class and race affect their approach?
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More on The Shawshank Redemption
What’s the Story?
In THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover, and sent to prison. It's 1949, and Andy doesn't have the stuff for prison life. Andy befriends "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) and uses his past as a banker to get a job in the prison library. But things unravel. In doing the books for the warden, he learns that the prison boss is taking bribes, and Andy is to launder them. A loveable former inmate hangs himself when he gets to the outside after decades behind bars and can't adjust. The inmate whom Andy helps get his GED is shot by the guards to keep him quiet about information that might prove Andy is innocent of the murders and set him free. Andy spends two months in solitary. After he gets out, he seems depressed and Red worries he'll kill himself. The next day, Andy isn't dead, but he isn't there, either. He's escaped. The rest is a perfect Stephen King happy ending, complete with come-uppance for the corrupt warden.
Is It Any Good?
Call this the Stand By Me of prison stories. Stephen King, who penned Stand by Me, also wrote the short story on which The Shawshank Redemption was based. Here we have all the things that made Stand By Me such a satisfying experience: loveable characters, writerly flourishes , one-dimensional evil antagonists, enduring friendships, poetic justice and a happy ending. This one is far darker and far more violent than Stand By Me, and so ought to be reserved only for older teens. The story is slow to develop, and younger kids and children sensitive to the suffering of others may find this world a difficult one to sit with for the film's duration.
Having said all that, the film is satisfying, but cloying. Andy is the minister of the healing power of hope. He educates the inmates on the healing power of Mozart. He builds a library. He asks Red why he stopped playing the harmonica. When Red replies that it's no use in prison, Andy looks at him soulfully and replies that "here's where you need it the most." Despite the somewhat unbelievable friendship between a white, upper-class, innocent banker and a black man in 1949, it's a valuable lesson that may seem inspired to children who haven't heard this story a couple hundred times.
Movie Details
Studio: Castle Rock Entertainment, Director: Frank Darabont
Run time: 142 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1994, DVD release: 2/3/2004
MPAA Rating: R for violence, mature themes
Run time: 142 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1994, DVD release: 2/3/2004
MPAA Rating: R for violence, mature themes
Our Members Say
See all 13 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
Great for anyone who has the maturity to understand the story.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
Great for anyone who has the maturity to understand the story.
It's wonderful. A dark setting contrasts against the bright story and message. Brilliant main characters.
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Probably one of the greatest dramas ever. Rather on the violent side though.
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I rate this title off for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A fantastic movie, but not for everyone
I absolutely loved this movie. I would never let anyone under age 15 see this, but it still rocked. Morgan Freemen's performance brought me to tears, and Tim Robbins was awesome. But the emotional intensity of the movie will bother a lot of people. The violence was not quite as bad as you would expect, but still lots of it. Unless you have a very mature kid, do not watch this movie with them. It also might make them want to go to prison, as it as seen as not the worst place in the world.
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Not apporaite for young teens and under
Good acting but very strong language, voilence, and some sexual content.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
Great movie for teens
Great movie for teenagers. I was comfortable with my 14 year old watching it. There is some violence and some sexual situations, but they were in context.
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Amazing movie, one of my three favorites! I could watch it 100 times and it would never get old. Though there is a couple of scenes with violence and sexual dialogue. Language throuought. You see a man commit suicide by hanging himself and many people get beaten very badly. But you notice how bad a jail is and to never do anything that would cause you to have to go to one. Amazing movie about friendship.
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
One of the best movies out there.
This is an incredible movie with a touching story and incredible friendships. Theres a good amount of language, some mature topics, and violence in a few scenes. Every kid 15 and up has to see this movie!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE EVER
This movie isnt bad at all in my opinion, its been my favorite movie sense I was 7.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
An excellent movie - in my top 5 list!
This movie made me laugh and it made me cry, This is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite movie ranked in my top 5 list. The movie is based in a prison, where violence, sexual references and profanity are part of the daily life. The story line is excellent with great performances from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman especially. I have watched this movie over 20 times and still enjoy it every time I see it just as much as the first time.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Best Movie EVER
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Great movie
This movie was awsome it's a little to mature for some one under 13 at least but it's definitely one of the best movies out there.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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