Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption celebrates 30 years with celebration
By Renee Hansen
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie released in 1994 that was written and directed by Walking Dead's original showrunner, Frank Darabont. This movie is one of many Darabont adaptations of works by Stephen King, this is based on the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the city of Mansfield, Ohio, where the movie was filmed, is planning a celebration for the film's 30th anniversary.
Shawshank Redemption stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, a man incarcerated for the murder of his wife and her lover, a crime he claims he is innocent of. The story follows Dufresne and his fellow inmates over two decades, during which time he becomes embroiled in a money laundering scheme led by the prison warden Samuel Norton, portrayed by Bob Gunton. Dufresne also befriends Ellie "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), a man who smuggles items from the outside for a profit from his fellow inmates. William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore star in supporting roles.
The images below are of the Bible Andy used in the film which was up for auction in the UK.
The movie was set in Maine but primarily filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, at the Ohio State Reformatory (aka Mansfield Reformatory), whose cornerstone was laid in 1886 and ceased operations in 1990. The facility now houses a Shawshank museum, which features props, set pieces, costumes, and more from the movie. It also houses the Frank and Rae Darabont Gallery Shawshank Collection, a collection of items from Darabont's personal collection of Shawshank memorabilia, including posters and original artwork.
Fans can view the museum and all it offers and take a self-guided or bus tour of additional filming sites. The museum offers many tour packages via the website including a virtual tour experience, which costs $5 for a 24-hour pass.
The town of Mansfield will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the film from August 9-11, 2024, with a weekend full of events. Several cast members will be in attendance, with more to be announced, and according to THR, director Frank Darabont will also attend. The celebration is currently being organized, and new details will be released via social media, and will include the 10th annual Shawshank Hustle 7K.
"My wife and I went to the 25th anniversary and had such fun. People from all over the world were there. I’m trying to rally the cast into attending. It is such a great event, and a great community of fans, and the local people are so behind it."
- Frank Darabont
Cast attending Shawshank Redemption 30th Anniversary celebration. (as of June 5, check the website for more announcements)
- Mack Miles - Tyrell
- Paul Kennedy - Food-away Manager
- Claire Slemmer - Bank Teller, Maine National Bank
- Scott Mann - Glenn Quentin - Golf Pro
- Renee Blaine - Linda Dufrense - Andy’s Wife
- Alfonso Freeman - Young Ellis Boyd (Red) | Fresh Fish
The Shawshank Redemption received critical acclaim but, coming against the release of Pulp Fiction and Forest Gump, did poorly at the box-office. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards at that event's debut ceremony. Despite its tepid box-office reception, the film is known as one of the most beloved films ever made.
Darabont produced two more of King's works in film adaptations, The Green Mile and The Mist. In an interview with Deadline King stated that Darabont's Shawshank and Rob Reiner's Stand by Me are his favorite adaptations of his books.
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