THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) Completely Broke Me!! - First Time REACTION!!!

[@Serenity113]

Brooks: "I've decided not to stay." "Where are you going to go?" Me who has seen this movie so many times: "Oh, boy..."

[@claymccoy]

When Red tells Andy going to Mexico is "shitty pipe dreams", it foreshadows Andy crawling through a pipe of shit to escape.

[@kodiacstephens8104]

Imagine crawling through 500 yards of shit only for there to be a grate at the end and you have to sit in it all night until they come and find you in the morning😭 It makes sense why it took so long for Andy to take the risk

[@gymschooz]

I never made that connection. Thanks

[@gymschooz]

@@claymccoy the scene where Andy breaks the sewer pipe has 2 flaws. 1) why wouldn't he walk all the way to the outside wall before breaking the pipe. It would have saved him 50 yards at least of crawling through the sewage 2) that sewage pipe wasn't under pressure so the sewage would not have spewed out of the hole. I know it's a movie and it makes for a good show, but those two things have always bothered me. I still think it's one of the greatest movies ever made

[@daveparker839]

@@gymschoozHilarious! I thought the same about the pressure and thought I was the only one. I wondered if maybe the pipe had a slope to it or some sort of p-trap that kept some pressure on it. It only has a feet of head so I rationalize something like that. 😂 As for the rock placement, he has to have a good view of the window so he can time his pounding with the thunder so many seconds after the lightning while ensuring he hits it squarely. That’s all I can come up with.

[@crb8124]

@@kodiacstephens8104 TBF, Andy was involved in the outside work program, so he could keep tabs on if there was a grate there.

[@j.woodbury412]

Clancy Brown, who played the mean guard Hadley, was approached by several real life prison guards who offered to help him make his performance more realistic, but he turned them down because he was playing an evil character and he didn't want his performance to reflect negatively on any of them.

[@shaneogallagher831]

“That can’t be legal” lmfaooo yeah that pretty much sums up the whole movie right there.

[@gymschooz]

The 1st time Red's parole was rejected. I love when he walks up the stairs. He starts out defeated looking and with each step his walk changes. By the time he reaches the top, he has his swagger (armor) back on. Morgan Freeman is a fantastic actor.

[@makani9004]

I wish I could tell you that's not a sewage pipe. I wish I could tell you that, but sanitation is no fairy tale world.

[@delg1211]

🤣

[@squ34ky]

Brilliant!

[@infiad1275]

Spoken like a true plumber!

[@dlweiss]

A true masterpiece! And yeah...all our hearts break for poor Brooks.

[@sarahfullerton6894]

The actor playing Brooks Hadlin is the wonderful character actor, James Whitmore. He was in lots of movies on the 50's and 60's. A great movie for him was the delightfully cheesy sci-fi movie from the 50's, "Them"! 🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜 I think you'll get a kick out of it!

[@harrietelizabeth9195]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU!!! The number of times I have pointed out that Brooks left surrounded by prison that he could never leave, and Red left the prison with world in front of him!! No one ever seems to catch that!

[@andreshernandez1180]

I’ve seen many comments about that.

[@number1fool]

The only reason the guards “avenged” Andy was because Andy was useful to the prison staff. It wasn’t noble or honorable intentions. Pure greed and self interest.

[@Mister_Samsonite]

For sure! Andy was smart enough to work all the angles to be well-liked and protected in there. I love that he never used his "sway" to ask anything for himself. He did everything for the betterment of the other inmates. Kept him busy!

[@sweetwentworth]

The american way.

[@number1fool]

@@sweetwentworth I mean, I won’t argue that

[@0okamino]

Messing with the gravy train is not recommended.

[@robmaddison8645]

He was used as an asset.

[@ricardoleonor1647]

So it took 30 years... but I finally now know what those two Italian ladies were singing about!!!!

[@robmaddison8645]

The quality of Prison food?

[@baby_boi123]

I've watched 100 reactions to this movie, and never understood the music/Opera songs meaning. That's exactly what they were doing, setting up the bad guy

[@MoMoMyPup10]

But it wasn't a 'they' it was a 'him', so if anyone like this gent who knows the music might not be all bought-in to the idea when there is no 2nd

[@rlciii]

They’ve been in prison so long, hearing a women’s voice was like “Heaven”

[@BobBenson-qz8lp]

It's Mozart's popular opera called the marriage of figaro,The play was banned in france.

[@myboatforacar]

It's worth noting that that scene is new to the movie, it wasn't in the short story it was adapted from

[@sarahfullerton6894]

For Red's parole hearings, the first-time was 20 years in prison, and the 2nd time was 30 years, so the time between was 10 years! The last time was 40 years! By the way, love ❤ this movie! Your reaction was spot-on. Thanks for the info about the opera. I love Andy's story arc, but this is really about Red's arc, from hopeless to hope, and, finally, fulfilled hope. Just beautiful.

[@stevenmonte7397]

It's crazy how they make you cry with Brooks and then quickly make you smile when Andy gets all the books.

[@anygoodimaydopocast]

People who cry to movies like this have good hearts. I've decided.

[@adampare8088]

You: "hope that's not a sewage pipe. Me: Wait 3 more seconds

[@mickelsie5461]

Finally someone that knows some classical music!

[@KansaSCaymanS]

One of the best reactions I’ve seen to this movie! If you haven’t seen it, another movie that features great narration is Apocalypse Now. 😎👍

[@WriterReactsChannel]

Thank you so much!!! I always love a good narration film. I’ll add it to the list 😉

[@lesliedaubert1411]

Based on a short book by Stephen King. It was filmed in a real prison. The mug shot they used for Red was Morgan Freeman's son.

[@tommiller4895]

James Whitmore (Brooks)was a fine character Actor. for many years. What a way to finish your career. He did 3 more films after this film and passed away in 1999. I saw him live on Broadway in a one man show playing President Harry S. Truman.

[@lisanowka8669]

He’s so loved the part of Brooks that he came out of retirement to do this role and boy did he nail it

[@j.woodbury412]

He was the director Frank Darabont's favorite character actor, which is why Darabont gave him the role of Brooks.

[@deeanna8448]

You are the first reactor to know the opera amd what the ladies were singing about! I learned something today!

[@francksands]

Quick note, the first time is 20 years, not 25.

[@gishjalmr5628]

For the longest time I thought the redemption was Andy saving himself from a wrongful conviction, but now I believe that Andy was Red's redemption. If Andy had not been there I believe Red would have ended up exactly like Brooks.

[@trish3572]

The final beach scene was filmed in St. Croix , US Virgin Islands. Hope everyone who visited Mexico instead weren’t disappointed 😉

[@jillfromatlanta427]

It was not actually part of the movie shown to test audiences. They did not like the ambiguity of not knowing if Red would seek out Andy or die the way Brooks had! They wanted to actually see the two meet face to face. So the director reluctantly filmed the beach scene, though from a distance (in protest).

[@ohauss]

Thing is, Zihuatanejo today doesn't precisely like it looked in the 1960s, so it would have been kinda pointless to shoot there.The tourist resort of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was only built in the late 1970s. Plus, given it's both a port and a cruise ship destination, the chance of having decidedly un-1960s boats and ships in the background in a beach scene would have been pretty high. On the other hand, the beach of Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge was, perhaps, a little bit empty for being close to a city.

[@gordondafoe3516]

"Writer", This is my reaction of yours I've seen, and you are the first to connect with the harmonica in the sound track near the end. Well done Sir, you earned a subscription!

[@WriterReactsChannel]

Welcome to the community 🎶

[@brainfloss9710]

Thank you for the reminder. This is one of the best movies in existence, and this is one of the best reactions to it that I've seen. More than enough reason for a subscription.

[@budmcnew7763]

Reds parole was 20,30 and 40 years. Not 25

[@jennthabombdiggity]

There is a reason this is rated by many as the best movie ever. And you are THE ONLY reactor that knew it was Mozart he was playing. (I have a Hemingway cat I named Figaro, because he’s extraordinary….my first Hemingway was named Amadeus…so it was a theme) As well as picking up on some of the other subtleties of the movie. There’s a reason the term “shawshanked” exists. Flipping through channels and coming across a movie that you have to watch, no matter what part you find it on. That’s being “shawshanked”. You just can’t help but finish the movie. It’s just that damn good. New subscriber here. Brilliant reaction.

[@icetech6]

man that Brooks scene never gets easier...

[@El_Jefe_Zamora]

I’ve watched this movie no less than 20 times and anytime a reaction channel watches this movie I’m here for it. In ALL my times coming across this movie, never once have I known what those two Italian women were singing until now. Thank you sir, here’s my follow

[@j.woodbury412]

Yes. To Brooks Shawshank was like his home since he'd been there most of his life.

[@artbagley1406]

I like to think that Brooks was never alone again at The Brewer after Red carved his "So was Red" message next to "Brooks was here."

[@lynnecurrie7561]

Perfect script, perfect actors, perfect director equals the Perfect Film. Great reaction!❤❤❤❤

[@ftt7429]

When Red walks to Andy at their final scene together at the prison, Red kicks a couple rocks before he sits down next to Andy. The rocks look like the gravel that Andy has been leaving in the courtyard.

[@belindalopes6774]

This was a short story/novella called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

[@MrBendylaw]

The main thing I learned from this movie is that I am not 'obtuse', which is unfortunate, as I seem to be surrounded by people like the warden. I guess I will have to be more angular, or possibly round, from here on out. Thanks Andy!

[@billallen1307]

Being called obtuse is a large factor for me right now in an age discrimination law suit.

[@jontk]

"I don't know if that's foreshadowing" I never knew what that song was about, but now you tell us, yes, yes it absolutely is.

[@Gary-pogi]

Red was in for twenty years at the first parole board hearing.

[@gesundheit602]

Stephen King has written so many outstanding books that became movies. The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Misery, Pet Semetary, Cujo, The Shining, Children of the Corn, Stand By Me, The Running Man, and many many more. Such a prolific and wonderful writer.

[@sunohsun4234]

These young people really don't have a clue how the real world was really back in the day. The history is there for all to see and research, but they keep thinking and using today's standard to comment on the differences.

[@angelawilliams5153]

First - this is one of the best movies ever, second - I love chalkboards and I miss them…. Good luck with your channel!!! :)

[@MrUndersolo]

Glad you noticed the different shots for Brooks and Red.

[@jlerrickson]

I'm an opera lover. The only thing that has ever gotten in the way of my loving opera is the story. Carmen drives me as insane as Romeo & Juliet. That said, listening to late night broadcasts of operas on public radio was the first thing that ever helped me sleep as a child. This film hits in a weird way, where I have Red's cynicism, but I want Andy's positivity and determination.

[@tbrackett8389]

I make this same comment on all of the Shawshank reactions. I appreciate the camera work because Tim Robbins is 6'5" tall. The only scene that shows his height is after he shines the wardens shoes and is walking back to his cell he ducks under the doorway as the guard follows.

[@jeremy-cb2nn]

Not entirely true... "That tall drink of water with the silver spoon up his ass."

[@MrSilkySweat]

Thumbs also up on "pinch a loaf" NEVER being ALOUD to be used EVER AGAIN!!!🤩🥰

[@subitman]

I was in a mental institution once for attempted suicide. I had dysthymia which is constant low level depression with deep depression. It took me months to be released. Another patient was also released afterwards and visited me. I showed her this movie. She cried and thank me. I haven't heard from her in a while. I hope she's okay. If you want to watch a mini-series. Band of Brothers. It's about WWII starting with training camp, through the invation in WWII. You might recognize some of the stars.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Bob Gunton (the warden) did a great interview that I found on KZbin one day. He really speaks well and is worth a listen to. Great character actor, like James Whitmore.

[@krissypearson8410]

Please please react to "The Impossible" if you haven't already seen it. Based on a true story and a wholesome, gut wrenching, sad, happy, tearful movie! Would love to see how you'd react to it

[@crb8124]

A pretty major theme in Shawshank is about moral grayness and how a lot of people tend to provide aid only when it benefits them. When the guards beat Bogs to protect Andy? That's because Andy helped them. When Tommy gets killed? That's because Andy threatened to stop helping them. 2 sides of the same coin, really.

[@MrRee-px1nz]

I always love the reference to The Count of Monte Cristo being filed under educational. That's the 👌

[@scottarooni]

"The Shawshank Redemption" is honestly my favorite film of all time. My second favorite is "October Sky" (1999), and in third is "12 Angry Men" (1957). Have you seen "12 Angry Men"? Because you are a writer, I think you will appreciate the film's Oscar-nominated screenplay. I hope you check it out on your channel.

[@catprog]

56:26 They probably don't have to be on the run. Assumed identiies in a small town in another country in the 1970s. Their is not a lot of chances of them being recoginsed.

[@andrewkline5611]

Nice reaction! Cool seeing someone recognize what those two Italian ladies were singing about.

[@NocturnEternal]

Thomas Newman has had so many Grammy nominations (Shawshank Redemption included), but has yet to win one. You could argue he’s almost the Meryl Streep of the Grammies.

[@lisanowka8669]

Such perfect music and Randy’s brother what a difference in music sensibility

[@tzimiable]

Thanks for the details about the aria and the foreshadowing, I never knew. Nice detail :)

[@TerriLynn-hf8xw]

Your next movie needs to be Hackshaw Ridge!!!! Another great movie

[@linarandel]

YT just recommended your channel, so glad they did! Greetings from Sweden 😊🇸🇪

[@glawnow1959]

This is a wonderful and thought-provoking reaction.

[@Roller-Ball]

Good review and understanding........ Think you would enjoy "The Sting" (1972 I think) Award winning movie. Just a thought.

[@suebob16]

Great suggestion! The Sting is a very good story with a bunch of great character actors besides Newman, Redford, and Shaw. Definitely worth a reaction.

[@lizzydean9075]

this was such an insightful reaction, your attention to detail was amazing. Thank you

[@ThunderbackOG]

from "BROOKS WAS HERE" to "Hope is a good Thing... Maybe the best of Things"

[@ThunderbackOG]

Oh.. and Reds parole hearings are every 10 years. We see the high points of his Arc being shown through them. Reds change... not becoming like Brooks and daring to hope again. Just beautiful.

[@AmaroqFan]

Now you have to do 'The Green Mile'!

[@Lasse3]

My dude literally watched the movie thoroughly, analyzed it, read about Figaro. Planned his whole "reaction" meticulously. And then he saw the movie for the first time and recorded it. 54:29 and the Oscar goes to this dude.

[@WriterReactsChannel]

Actually just an attentive, overly emotional former opera student, but I appreciate the guess. Thanks for watching, friend:)

[@mckayaitch7335]

@@WriterReactsChannelyou can even hear at the beginning when you sing along to a little bit of opera. I know next to nothing about opera but even I’ve heard of Figaro. Some people are just cynical and would rather assume the worst.

[@Lasse3]

​​@@mckayaitch7335yeah I'm just a cynic. Thank you for the psychoanalysis, that'll save me money on therapy sessions.

[@StormyH871]

I just visited the prison a few months ago I'm a photographer and the photos I took are among my favorites

[@torikazuki8701]

I was 23 when this film came out and had already been through enough where I treasured it immediately. As a film buff, with probably at least 1,000 films under my belt, it immediately shot to my personal Top Ten. However, though I would never have admitted it to anyone, especially myself, when I saw this, I'd already entered the first year of my own 'Prison' sentence. Now, at 53, I've struggled for 31 years with Chronic Pain due to Inoperable Spinal Damage. I am now almost totally disabled and this Prison has destroyed everything in my life. My Career, my Social Life, my Hobbies, but most painfully, my Marriage. Filled with anger and resentment, that she didn't have the life she felt she deserved, my Wife of 15 years is finally divorcing me. (Though in reality, she checked out of it a decade ago.) Though I have struggled with 'taking Brook's way out' for nearly all of my life, I refuse to give up. I will keep my Faith, I have not lost Hope and I still strive to live in Love.

[@myboatforacar]

FYI, the head guard, Byron Hadley, is played by Clancy Brown, the voice of Mr. Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants 😁

[@donkunes8630]

Considered by many one of the best movies ever made . My daughter was on vacation near the town of Zihuatanejo . It has become a tourist stop thanks to the film and has great beaches

[@TangentOmega]

The parole board is looking for remorse. "There's not a day goes by, I don't feel regret." That's the phrase that got him paroled.

[@Simdoog]

I also noticed the sound of a harmonica when Red is moving along that rock wall towards the tree?

[@brooos]

Great reaction to a great movie! Love your knowledge, insight and sensitivity.

[@tashawilliams1928]

I LOVED your reaction. So much so, I subscribed immediately. Please keep it up ❤. U are smart and thoughtful .

[@WriterReactsChannel]

Thanks for the loving words and sub❤️ welcome to the creative community!

[@budmcnew7763]

You're the only one that commented on the broken bottle. I noticed that long ago. It seemed to be broken in a million pieces before it even touched the ground.

[@joeyboogenz]

Amazing reaction. You are one of the most informed , cultured dudes I've seen on YT .

[@rlciii]

That’s why it’s #2….Usual Suspects…GOAT

[@budmcnew7763]

?

[@lolalo6344]

20:00 i dont think that part is about redemption of the guards. i think its about the growing power of Andy. He set his two enemies against eachother.

[@sawyer33]

You won’t regret visiting Zihuatanejo. The movie moved us so much that my girlfriend and I went there the January after the movie was released.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Actually filmed in St. Croix, the Caribbean

[@BrittanyNgo01]

Fun fact: the IRS does actually allow a monetary gift tax-free as long as it's under a certain amount. It can actually be used yearly though now, not just one time. Source: husband is a tax accountant, just like Andy.

[@caseymoe816]

Somebody earlier mentioned this is Red’s story and not necessarily Andy’s. It makes total sense. After all, Red is the narrator, not Andy. Red goes from a place of hopelessness to redemption and joy-perhaps the real Shawshank Redemption. Through Andy, we see Red’s journey. Yes, Andy is triumphantly and spectacularly redeemed for his wrongful incarceration, but it is Red who is telling his tale of redemption too. Notice Red’s arc is completed with the very last line of the movie: “I hope.” (That in itself would have been a great ending and it was the original ending of the movie. However, after preview audiences overwhelmingly wanted to see Red reunite with Andy, the studio added the ending scene on the beach.) Nevertheless, whether you look at it as Andy’s story or Red’s (or both), Shawshank is just a great short story made all the better by spectacular filmmaking.

[@kh884488]

Oh man! You don't know how much I envy people who are watching this for the first time. If you want to watch another excellent Stephen King story adaptation, I'd recommend "Stand By Me".

[@seaneendelong8065]

How nice to watch a reaction where many subtle aspects of culture and history are not just recognized but commented on with intellectual understanding. Truly rare online, so Thank You! 🙂✅🎬🎞️⚖️📚🎼

[@momD612]

One of the greatest movies ever. I never tire of watching it. ❤❤

[@Timmycoo]

My fav movie of all time. Super glad you reacted to it lol. Mr. Hadley ... what is he doing, going the wrong path. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. Ugh what an amazing movie lol

[@brian9438]

37:21 I never heard of chalkboard hate before. Not impossible to get off clothes, not impossible to erase.

[@DirigoDuke]

If you are indeed into classic movies, and fancy yourself a writer, I highly encourage you to watch and react to the 1957 legal drama, 12 ANGRY MEN.

[@Mister_Samsonite]

It's not a matter of proving that you've repented and feel remorse. Parole boards know when someone is just giving them "lip service" and saying what they want to hear.

[@PGoodmanCOG]

15:25 $35,000 in 1949 is around $445,000 today. 49:35 $370,000 in 1966 is around $3.6 *million* today. Now, stop and consider the pair of balls on Andy Dufresne. He's a wanted man, just escaped from prison. He calmly takes the time to clean out the warden, buys a f___ing car, drives up to another town calm as can be, and buries that box with a note to his friend before finally heading south.

[@deires77]

Just one single thing bugs me about this masterpiece.... how did the warden's suit and shoes fit Andy so well, when he was like more than a head taller.... but then, that's fiction for you 😉

[@Fred-vy1hm]

The thing that always sticks out to me is when Red says "500 yards just under half a mile." Its actually just over a quarter of a mile (1320 feet or 440 yards).

[@j.woodbury412]

Actually Tim Robbins, who played Andy is only 2 inches taller (6'5") than Bob Gunton, who played the Warden (6'2"). Gunton once commented that there were very few actors who could play the Warden because they would have to be almost as tall as Andy. The part was originally offered to James Cromwell, who the next year would play the Warden in the movie The Green Mile.

[@margiewilliams537]

It's funny how the dumb warden was responsible for Andy getting all those documents

[@bdubson9082]

I love ❤️ your passion and I’ve made a mental note of your beliefs to put into practice for my life. Prison reform In this country is absolutely necessary. To your point though, it’s tough to get the people to care about someone who’s broken the law. Far too many get caught in the system and for some once you’re in, it’s difficult to get out. It ultimately comes down to who has the political will or enough political capital to spend on making real change. ❤

[@jbooker7099]

Have you watched the movie Amadeus from 1984? I think you might actually enjoy it if you haven't. It's highly worth the watch, and from you enjoying Andy playing the music from Mozart, I think you might enjoy it. Ps... 32:12 is every 10 years. The first time we saw Red at his parole hearing was 20 years. The second time was it 30 years.

[@digitaladventurer2142]

A lot of people don't get why they let Red out on his 3rd Parole. It was because they could tell he truly had reflected on his crime. The first time and even a little in the second time he was just all smiles and agreeing with what they said with a big smile, basically a little kid who got in trouble and is just saying sorry even though they don't mean it or don't understand why they are in trouble.

[@2tone753]

If Warden had retired, Andy's lifetime would have lasted at most until nightfall. Then the killer in uniform (Hatley) would have completed his work by shooting Andy on the occasion of his "escape attempt". Warden lets Andy live, even though he is a witness to his machinations? That would contradict everything we already know about Warden.

[@eaguillen2924]

29:58 95% Of what I know about Mozart is because of the movie Amadeus (1984).

[@MoMoMyPup10]

From the opener; glass liquor bottles back then were much thinner, like a tall ice-tea glass -- they always broke very easily.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Not a box office success....years and "word of mouth" brought this gem to just about everyone's top ten list. Seldom if ever happens that way .

[@ffc303]

In my lifetime I remember the chain gangs working on the train tracks. This movie brings back memories as they were treated like 💩💩💩💩

[@E71]

There is a downside to watching such a great movie. The bar is now set waaay too high for the other ones. 😂

[@blizzywilk]

This is about the best reaction to this movie I've ever seen. Dude you are super smart, articulate and passionate. Congrats Bro, new sub here!

[@RobbiePfunder]

Red dropped the people-pleasing act. He was authentic.

[@andrewmcgill9544]

Captain helped Andy more than any of his friends.

[@lauriefarmer7724]

Such a great movie. Not a true story. A novella written by Stephen King. I remember when it came out I was so excited because I had read the story. Truly a classic.

[@robmaddison8645]

The redemption hinges ultimately on the Brooks problem; Andy saves Red from the sin of suicide or crime after his parole. He sets this up by giving Red hope. First of all though Andy regains possession of his own freedom and lost assets through his intelligent planning and execution.

[@ReelMeurik]

Re: Andy and Red "being on the run from the law" Andy was in prison for a crime he didn't commit. While he did escape, he was innocent of the crime (and 20 years served, I doubt anyone would be after him) Red was in prison for 40 years, and he was paroled! He violated his parole, but given his advanced age, there really would be noone after him. Lastly: They escaped to Zihuatanejo in Mexico. The US would have to get the Mexican government to extradite them back to the US. Many flee into Mexico to "disappear".

[@jaakkomantyjarvi7515]

Also: A point that a lot of people miss is that ever since leaving Shawshank, Andy was Randall Stevens, an upstanding and wealthy US citizen. No one would have been looking to apprehend him, and Andy Dufresne had indeed vanished "like a fart in the wind". Therefore the only remaining question is, how did Red get across the border?

[@frankp9324]

Parole Boards need to save money by releasing prisoners who have served a long long time. 50 years for Brooks, 40 years for Red, old enough to be unlikely to be a danger to society and make room for new prisoners.