Best Film Adaptation of all time, hands down.

[Wasp27]

It's great that there is a place where I can talk to others about all things King, there aren't many people friends or family who I can have a real, in depth discussion about his work/films based on his work with. One thing my hubby and I agree on though is that The Shawshank Redemption is one of our favorite movies, ever. Definitely MY favorite. I'm not even trying to be biased, but I can honestly say, King related or not, this film is in my opinion, the only flawless film I have ever seen. It is perfect.
The casting- Morgan Freeman..I mean the man could read the damn phone book and it would be pleasurable to listen to.
Tim Robbins- another fine actor, epitomized Andy, and if you don't think so, you're crazy!
Clancy Brown- I just love him haha, and the fact that he is the voice of Mr. Krabs on Spongebob just makes it that much better lol
Everyone cast in the film was just spot on, ya know? And it is truly the only film adaptation that mirrored the original story to a t..The story is only about 100 pages give or take and the film managed to sustain and breathe life into Kings words like no other film adaptation has ever done. Along with the cinematography and soundtrack, it makes for a beautiful work of art.
This is my family's favorite film for sure, and as a person who needs film and literature to live, I'm grateful that such a gem exists. Yes, I cry everytime at the end, and will never get tired of watching it. Thank you Mr. King for writing such moving, beautiful story that speaks to the human condition.

 

[prufrock21]

My favorite, also. Yes, it helps when you have two Oscar winners in the film. A film director's dream assignment, I'm sure.

 

[king family fan]

It's great that there is a place where I can talk to others about all things King, there aren't many people friends or family who I can have a real, in depth discussion about his work/films based on his work with. One thing my hubby and I agree on though is that The Shawshank Redemption is one of our favorite movies, ever. Definitely MY favorite. I'm not even trying to be biased, but I can honestly say, King related or not, this film is in my opinion, the only flawless film I have ever seen. It is perfect.
The casting- Morgan Freeman..I mean the man could read the damn phone book and it would be pleasurable to listen to.
Tim Robbins- another fine actor, epitomized Andy, and if you don't think so, you're crazy!
Clancy Brown- I just love him haha, and the fact that he is the voice of Mr. Krabs on Spongebob just makes it that much better lol
Everyone cast in the film was just spot on, ya know? And it is truly the only film adaptation that mirrored the original story to a t..The story is only about 100 pages give or take and the film managed to sustain and breathe life into Kings words like no other film adaptation has ever done. Along with the cinematography and soundtrack, it makes for a beautiful work of art.
This is my family's favorite film for sure, and as a person who needs film and literature to live, I'm grateful that such a gem exists. Yes, I cry everytime at the end, and will never get tired of watching it. Thank you Mr. King for writing such moving, beautiful story that speaks to the human condition.

For me it is a toss up between Shawshank and The Green mile.

 

[mustangclaire]

It's our family favourite as well. Even my 10 year old loves it now. No matter how many times we've seen it, will always watch it if we can. That shot of Tim Robbins, arms outstretched in the rain, at the end, is one of the most popular movie images of our times I believe. The absolute ultimate feel good movie.

 

[Neil W]

The novella is a damn good yarn. The narrative is always engrossing, the source elements of Andy's secret are carefully placed without exciting attention, and you are delighted when events pan out as they do.

Then Darabont adapts it, and a damn good yarn becomes something special. Part of this is the adaptation (a sensitive simplification), part of it is the casting, which is pitch perfect (Red was always an Irish redhead when I read the story - now I can't read it without seeing Morgan Freeman). And most of it, I think, is the direction.

The story unfolds in unhurried fashion, with the audience being unsure of Andy's guilt for much of the movie, but with a gradually building sense of injustice at the way those in power in the system can treat him (and others) so unfairly. The secret doesn't come at the end, but at about the three quarters mark, and brings with it a huge emotional kick. And then the story is allowed to make its own way into a gentle and perfect end.

This is, without any doubt, one of the most spiritually uplifting films I have ever seen.

 

[guido tkp]

sometimes, when you dream...you drift through this wonderful world where everything is bright and good...and your soul fills with an eloquence that sings...and you realize you are in the precense of near angelic beauty and all is good and right and true...

and then sometimes...you wake up in a room full of delusional people..and they all love frank darabont and this movie with a rabid-like dementia that is, quite frankly, kinda scary......and you wonder...what did i do to piss god off this time...

so, if you're smart...you tiptoe away quietly...hoping these wee beasties are not hungry

 

[Wasp27]

sometimes, when you dream...you drift through this wonderful world where everything is bright and good...and your soul fills with an eloquence that sings...and you realize you are in the precense of near angelic beauty and all is good and right and true...

and then sometimes...you wake up in a room full of delusional people..and they all love frank darabont and this movie with a rabid-like dementia that is, quite frankly, kinda scary......and you wonder...what did i do to piss god off this time...

so, if you're smart...you tiptoe away quietly...hoping these wee beasties are not hungry

Um, okay. Looks like your out of luck. I'm extremely hormonal and hungry to the point of being ravenous! But don't worry, I can't stay long, I have to get back to Darabontland, today we are chanting in hopes of summoning the spirit of John Coffey. Very busy people!!!!

 

[guido tkp]

hormonal ? hungry ?! ravenous ?!?!

i'm thinkin' yer all buzz and no bee...that your sting is worse than your...bite, oh waspy one

have fun with that chanting 'n summoning...

 

[Bryan James]

I have it on two VHS tapes and one DVD...and yet I still watch it every time it gurgles through my cable portal thingy.

 

[Wasp27]

hormonal ? hungry ?! ravenous ?!?!

i'm thinkin' yer all buzz and no bee...that your sting is worse than your...bite, oh waspy one

have fun with that chanting 'n summoning...

?? Now be honest, is this being written in a basement? Specifically your mothers?

 

[guido tkp]

ummm, no...those words were yours first...does that mean you wrote them in your moms basement ??

 

[Wasp27]

No. Just no. Why the hate dude? Can't someone get some joy out of something? I always hated when people would roll their eyes aty obsessions. More so I felt sorry for them, because I can't imagine not being CRAZY about something..life is short and often sucks, so when a little sometiing comes along and lifts your spirits, Christ- love the hell out of it. Call me delusional, but obviously you're passionate enough about a certain man so much that you're on a message board revolving around him.

 

[OldDarth]

This movie is that rare beast that surpasses the source material. I cannot recollect any other such examples at the moment.

My all time favorite movie. It's soul food.

'Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies.'

'nuff said.

 

[guido tkp]

there is no hate on my part...far from it...mayhap you are misintepreting...well, actually..there is no mayhap

those were your words...

not mine...for the record...my mother has been dead for over 30 years, thank you and never lived in the house i now own with my perfectly normal wife and four kids......while i have a basement, it is chock full of storagy stuff, memorablilia...and cobwebs: i don't go there except to get things i need, even if one of my frequent tornados swing by...

sorry you can't handle your own words...hey ! at least i didn't completely reiterate and use your ' extremely hormonal' retort...you'd probably be calling the interent police by now !!

also sorry i don't dwell in your happy land where this movie is " the best film adaption of all time, hands down"

obviously...you can't handle the thought someone might disagree...and you've clearly proven my point about obsessiveness...

i'd say TTFN...but, where both you and this subject are concerned...it's more likely...hasta lavista...

as don henley said...

 

[Moderator]

I think it's time for you both to agree to disagree and move on as this is becoming too personally directed.

 

[hossenpepper]

Someone's gettin' cut! LMAO

SKMB drama ruins lives, yo!

Alright, I'll show myself out...

 

[hossenpepper]

For the record, I loved the movie and the story. I still personally think the best movie made from an SK work is Stand By Me. But that's just IMHO...

 

[Wasp27]

Yeah, i don't want this thread to turn into some petty internet drama and apologize for my part, I think you misunderstood my joke...your original comment just seemed very passive aggressive. Sorry if you thought my responses were anything but a joke, which is what I intended. So yeah...enjoy life not enjoying the Shawshank redemption! And I really do mean that in the nicest way possible

 

[OldDarth]

For the record, I loved the movie and the story. I still personally think the best movie made from an SK work is Stand By Me. But that's just IMHO...

Yes, Stand By Me is a very good adaptation too. As is The Green Mile. There are things in both that I would have liked to have seen done differently.

Shawshank(IMO) is..... perfection.

 

[Neesy]

No. Just no. Why the hate dude? Can't someone get some joy out of something? I always hated when people would roll their eyes aty obsessions. More so I felt sorry for them, because I can't imagine not being CRAZY about something..life is short and often sucks, so when a little sometiing comes along and lifts your spirits, Christ- love the hell out of it. Call me delusional, but obviously you're passionate enough about a certain man so much that you're on a message board revolving around him.

Yeah, i don't want this thread to turn into some petty internet drama and apologize for my part, I think you misunderstood my joke...your original comment just seemed very passive aggressive. Sorry if you thought my responses were anything but a joke, which is what I intended. So yeah...enjoy life not enjoying the Shawshank redemption! And I really do mean that in the nicest way possible

Wasp27 - I have to agree - I am happy that you get joy out of this movie - it's all good (to use my son's expression!) I do not want to add fuel to the fire so I am not taking sides here, I just think it is so good when a book or a movie inspires someone and makes them happy - and I am sure Mr. King is pleased about it as well!