Differences in the movie and book of Shawshank Redemption essays

Differences in the movie and book of Shawshank Redemption essays The novella Shawshank Redemption and Rita Hayworth by Stephen King is the basis of the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont. This moving and inspirational film follows the book very closely in relation to the characters and plot, however does include some very significant changes. These range from the atmosphere in which the characters must live, to furthering your understanding of Andys goals and desires, and to examine the idea of redemption. The ways in which this is achieved are very effective and do not detract from the original sentiments or feelings that you get from the book but strengthen the film to make it as powerful a piece that it is. The cruel reality of prison is established straight away by the use of additional scenes and the altering of events that occur. When Andy first comes to Shawshank Prison one of the felons that was brought in at the same time as Andy is reduced to tears on his first evening sleeping in the jail. Due to his insisting that he doesnt belong [t]here Captain Hadley beats him so badly that the prisoner dies later that night from the sustained injuries. This is a major difference from the book and a very significant one. This introductory scene establishes the harsh life in prison, which Andy is going to have to deal with for a long time. There are a lot of unjustified beatings and deaths within the prison that are allowed to happen because the warden or guards are the ones administrating them. When warden Norton is looking for a way to silence Tommy Williams to ensure that Andy remains where he is he, Norton chooses the most despicable thing to do. He has Tommy murdered by one of the guards who shoots him from a watch tower. This enforces the sense of brutality as in the book warden just moves Tommy to a minimum security prison, but the fact that he is shot several times instead, strengthens the over all morose mood of the set...