Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins’The Shawshank Redemptionis undoubtedly one of the best films released in 1994, the same year whenPulp FictionandForrest Gumpwere released. While the latter two managed to nab some Oscars, The Shawshank Redemption shockingly went empty-handed, but, it hasn’t undermined its reputation of being one of the best films of that decade.
The inspiring and heartwarming prison drama told the story of one man’s resilience and eventual freedom from being put into prison despite claims of innocence. The ending of the film saw the emotional reunion of Freeman and Robbins’ characters. It seems the original treatment of the film was slightly different, one which Freeman was vehemently against.
Morgan Freeman Protested AgainstThe Shawshank Redemption‘s Original Ending
Morgan Freeman starred alongside Tim Robbins in Frank Darabont’s prison dramaThe Shawshank Redemptionbased on Stephen King’s novellaRita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Throughout the film, Freeman’s Red and Robbins’ Andy form a close bond in the prison, with Andy telling Red to travel to Buxton once he’s released.
Morgan Freeman Reportedly Earned a Modest Salary of $300,000 For the Best Movie of His Career Yet It Changed His Life Forever
This plot point came around as Andy escapes much earlier than Red is released. Freeman’s character then does what Andy told him which leads to the duo’s poignant reunion at Zihuatanejo. Their reunion was not approached in any grand way, as it was simply two friends embracing with a hug. However, this heartwarming scene was different from the orginal script.
In an interview withThe Daily News, Freeman revealed that he disagreed with director Darabont’s original idea for that ending scene. Darabont’s treatment had Red playing the harmonica that Andy gave him at the prison during their reunion scene. Freeman found it cliched and unnecessary, while also calling it an asinine idea. He said.
“Frank thought I should be blowing that harmonica that Andy gave me. And I refused…sort of asinine, sort of cliched, sort of unnecessary and overkill”
The Shawshank Redemption at 30: Tom Hanks is the Only Actor Who Shouldn’t Regret Turning Down the Movie Unlike Kevin Costner or Tom Cruise
Freeman’s refusal paid off very well as the reunion scene feels much more intimate and moving in the way it’s shown in the film. The original treatment as Freeman says, sounds out of place and weird. The film will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and people continue to discover and celebrate the brilliance of its narrative to this day.
Morgan Freeman Points Out One Flaw FromThe Shawshank Redemption
Even after almost 30 years of its release,Morgan Freeman‘sThe Shawshank Redemptionis still avery popular film today. As he tells Seth Meyers onLate Night with Seth Meyers, people continue to come up to him to this day and tell him that it’s their favorite film. However, the actor feels there is one major flaw in the film.
“That makes sense too”: Tim Robbins Has a Perfectly Valid Theory Why The Shawshank Redemption Failed at the Box-Office That Sounds Insane After 30 Years
Freeman felt the film’s title was terrible. The source book was titledRita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,and he felt it weird that the makers omitted Rita Hayworth (who was one of the top actresses in Hollywood’s Golden Age) and choseThe Shawshank Redemption.
The actor revealed that when he enquired about it, the reason behind the omission was that the long title wouldn’t fit on the marquee. Despite his repeated requests to include Rita Hayworth, the makers refused. Freeman does admit that the movie’s title caught on with him as time went on. He said,
“You can’t walk down the street without somebody telling you it’s their favorite movie. Terrible title. The original title was Stephen King’s book, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Now don’t choose ‘Shawshank Redemption’ when you’ve got ‘Rita Hayworth. They said when I complained – and I did – that it won’t fit on the marquee. I said, ‘So what?’ Just put Rita Hayworth… You’ve got the one-sheet there, it’ll say the rest of it! But they chose not to, and so it took a while to catch on.”
In addition to Freeman, the film also starred Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore. Stephen King has declared the film to be one of the best adaptations of his works and a potential movie classic (viaOscars.org).
Fans can watch/rentThe Shawshank Redemptionon Apple TV+.
Rahul Thokchom
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1276
Rahul Thokchom is a senior content writer at Fandomwire who is passionate about covering the world of pop culture and entertainment. He has a Masters Degree in English that contributes to the richness and creativity in his works.
More from Rahul Thokchom
“His team is non stop with trying to paint him as the goody two shoes”: Jennifer Lopez Gets Surprise Fan Support as Ben Affleck’s Controversial Past Surfaces Amid Divorce
“I don’t know what I’m looking for anymore”: Playing Homelander for So Long Has Made Antony Starr Make a Confession That’s Devastating News for DCU Fans Hoping He Plays an Iconic Justice League Villain
“We didn’t have a lot of money..”: Eric Bana’s Hulk Was a Big Threat to Will Smith’s $273 Million Movie Along With Keanu Reeves’s Highest Grossing The Matrix Movie
Recommended
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – How the 2008 Comic Arc Could Shape Tom Holland’s Next Movie
One Piece: Why Luffy’s Final Fight Will Break Shonen (& It Won’t Be Against Imu or Blackbeard)
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 Episode 9: Release Date and What to Expect
NYT Strands August 10, 2025 Hints and Solution
You Can Finally Watch Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Blockbuster at Home: Digital Release Date Revealed - Report
NYT Pips Solution for August 18, 2025
Morgan Freeman
