A 25th anniversary history and celebration of The Shawshank Redemption, one of the most cherished American films of the late twentieth century and one of the finest movies made from a Stephen King story. The movie not only boasts a great story, it has a great backstory, starting with the dollar deal that eventually led King and co-stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman to put their trust in a largely untested director making his first feature film. Although the film received mostly positive reviews on its release in September 1994, the box office was disappointing and it failed to win many awards. But as Andy tells Red in the film, "no good thing ever dies." The movie found new life, reaching an ever-growing audience on cable and home video (through word of mouth, it became one of the top-rented movies of 1995). Each year, The Shawshank Redemption rises in polls asking film fans to name their favorite movies. It has become nothing less than this generation's The Grapes of Wrath, an inspiring story about keeping hope alive in bleak times and under the most horrendous conditions.
Mark Dawidziak has been the television critic at the Cleveland Plain Dealer since July 1999. During his sixteen years at the Akron Beacon Journal, he held such posts as TV columnist, movie critic, and critic-at-large. Also an author and playwright, his many books include two histories of landmark TV series: The Columbo Phile: A Casebook (1989) and The Night Stalker Companion (1997). Everything I Need to Know I Learned in The Twilight Zone, his lighthearted tribute to Rod Serling's celebrated anthology series, was published in 2017. The author lives in Cayahoga Falls, OH.
"At the very end of Mark Dawidziak's The Shawshank Redemption Revealed, Frank Darabont reveals part of his secret for adapting and directing Stephen King's original story into the brilliantly realized, increasingly appreciated film. It's because Darabont approached King's tale from a writer's perspective - and Dawidziak, in his research, interviews, and analysis, steals from the exact same playbook. This book examines, and adds to, the magic spell cast by King in print, and Darabont on film, celebrating hope and perseverance by paying attention to myriad small details and individual characters and contributions. The fascinating and unlikely success story of The Shawshank Redemption is captured perfectly within these pages, as is its very spirit. With this engagingly crafted, meticulously researched book, Dawidziak carves out some welcome new territory: a virtual last stop on the Shawshank Trail." - David Bianculli, critic and guest host for NPR's Fresh Air ". . . a well-researched and lovingly written comprehensive compilation of all things 'Shawshank.' A must-have for the passionate fans of this revered film . . . even this cast member who thought he knew a lot." - Bob Gunton, actor from The Shawshank Redemption "I've been an admirer of the writings of Mark Dawidziak for many years. His books concern themselves with little guys who secretly (or not-so secretly), harbor big ideas; seemingly common folk who see life just a little bit differently from the rest of us, but who know that the world is round - even if the world itself isn't yet quite up to admitting to it. The Shawshank Redemption Revealed may well be his masterpiece. Here Dawidziak finds heart and humanity, and yes, redemption, both in the beloved film itself, and in its dramatic and against-the-odds afterlife. I passionately recommend this one for the movie's many and fervent fans, of course, but it's also a keeper for all of us cynics and romantics and realists, who, like Dawidziak, know the shape of the world, and who have a soft spot for lost causes, especially when, happily, they are sometimes not really so lost after all." -Steven Bingen, historian/archivist, author of Easy Rider: Fifty Years Searching for America "Mark Dawidziak's deep dive into one of the world's favorite films is amazingly detailed and complete . . . and surprisingly entertaining. Inside stories and technical details abound, but mostly it is a look at the vastness of the creative process in creating a unique and remarkable film." -- Mick Garris, director of the miniseries versions of Stephen King's The Stand, The Shining and Bag of Bones, as well as the films Stephen King's Sleepwalkers and Desperation "Really nice work . . . warm and heartfelt, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. The hallmark of a good book for me is if I'm learning things I didn't know, and, in this case, I'm learning things about my own movie. I keep stumbling on tidbits where I go, 'Oh, really?' That's how well-researched and well-written and engaging it is." -- Frank Darabont, director and screenwriter of The Shawshank Redemption "Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the greatest films and a close up of the comradeship of its players and all they had to contend with - tornado threats, electrical storms, long work days, brutal heat, swarms of flies, and even some uncooperative rats are just a few of the many challenges. The first thing you are going to want to do after reading "The Shawshank Redemption Revealed," is to watch the movie again, because now you'll be looking for scenes you missed and all of the actors and extras you've just been introduced to who were essential in creating the beauty and the longevity of this film. Stephen King brought us the novella, Frank Darabont created the screenplay, and now Mark Dawidziak brings it home, delivering exactly what his subtitle says: "How one story keeps hope alive." If there was ever a time we could use some of that, it's now." --Anne Serling, author of As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling "I don't think those of us who took part in the filming of The Shawshank Redemption back in 1993, had any idea that the movie we were making would go on to become one of the most beloved films of our generation. This book, The Shawshank Redemption Revealed, with all its rich detail and fantastic collection of firsthand accounts, gives a rare, never before seen look at the birth of this classic film. If you're a fan of the movie, this is a fascinating read. Enjoy." -- William Sadler, actor from The Shawshank Redemption "Terrific, exhaustive work. Definitive soup-to-nuts examination of The Shawshank Redemption: How it got made, the story of its filming, what it means to the creators, participants, the community, and society. From extras to studio executives, craft services to critics, day-players to super-stars. And a point-by-point guide book on how to support a major film on location as well as how a film company should behave on location.Great fun to read, informative, heartfelt, moving while never pulling any punches. Eat your heart out, Forrest Gump and The Lion King." --Clancy Brown, actor from The Shawshank Redemption "My late brother Monty Westmore was the makeup artist on Shawshank Redemption. He recalled that it was one of the most enjoyable films he had the privilege to be part of, including the cast and crew." --Michael Westmore, Academy Award winning makeup artist "I devoured this book. Earning its place among the very best works ever written about the world's favorite movie, Mark's comprehensive, conversational new gem wraps every revelation in warmth and wit. Told with brevity, depth, and reverence, his upbeat, breezy blend of history, insights, and anecdotes enlightens and delights. If you like to see people smile and nod with great joy for hours on end, give this book to everyone you know who loves The Shawshank Redemption. It's super fun for super fans." - Thomas B Clark Jr, Shawshank Specialist, The Ohio State Reformatory
