The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

(On VHS, December 1999) This film was dangerously over-hyped to me, regularly turning up in “Best-of” list and being endlessly praised by both critics and trusted friends. I already knew that the basic story was solid; I had been very impressed by Stephen King’s original story. As it turns out, the film honoured both King’s story and its own near-classical reputation. You can tell it in many different fashions, but The Shawshank Redemption is a grrreat film, an instant classic (immediately earning a spot on my Top-100 list), a ****/**** film and a must-see. Great stuff, rent it, buy it, etc… You shouldn’t need much more than that to rush to your video store.