Shawshank_Redemption_Analysis

Shawshank Redemption Scene Analysis Establishing Sequence-Dark Scene- Not a lot of lighting. Andy is being talked down to. anger/sorrow. ‘If I didn’t care’ by Ink spots- symbolic scratchy car tune (diagetic music) ---> fades out as the scene starts. Low key lighting-atmosphere- dark and gloomy atmosphere, Close up of gun/alcohol .’. important + a low angle on these= importance. eerie music in the background-sense of danger. Andy drinking from whisky bottle-gives ‘fuel’ to the actions, more intention to commit the crimes. enables police more ‘evidence’ for blame of the murders. Andy walking through the bushes towards house. Low key lighting- gives a impression that something bad is going to happen. Juxtaposition of music-change. Intercut between courtroom scene + flashback to the night. Close up of Andy in court = ‘icy + remorseless’, no emotion, passive, calm, monotone. Close up of feet, with smashed bottle (symbol of anger) + we see him walk off ( voice over telling us what happened) Focal Point (lawyer holding gun- showing guilt) Straight bleak look on andy’s face- worried/ knowing that he will be found guilty. Montage of shots- of affair- gives viewer a recap of what happened. The gavel marking the sentence pounds the screen to black- metaphor for end of life. Meeting Red 3 Times (recurring scene) This is a recurring scene with slight differences. Close up of the bars- noisy iron jail bars (close up) sliding open + camera zooms into another room Dialogue about rehabilitation Lighting on red ( spotlight) for good characterization, juxtaposed to officials shrouded in darkness. Extreme close up on bold red ‘REJECTED’ Introduction to Shawshank Prison Reds voice over. The siren heralds prisoners arriving. Long shot of prison- power, size, colour grey in contrast to green outside. Aerial shot that moves over the prison into the courtyard where and like prisoners scurry (high angle) Andy suit symbolic of formal/conservative + stand out as different- didn’t belong there. Low angle P.O.V shot shows daunting imposing aspect of prison on Andy + that never get out as lighting becomes low key. Close up of feet chained- trapped, lower power- not getting out. The guards + Norton are hypocritical when it comes to acting/following the bible- reference to anal rape, - close up of bible. Naked- symbolic of stripped identity. Full shot of violence towards inmates- low angles on guards- silence apart from the sounds from the victim. Language violent use of profanities- blasphemy. Rooftop Scene High key lighting when filmed outdoors a sense of freedom- no walls, fences, or bars. Full shot of them tarring the roof. Dangling on edge Andy in a christ like pose symbolic of his sacrifice ( religious illusion) High angle when on the edge of the roof. Eye level when speaking to show equality High key lighting on Andy- charactisation of good/filmed outside mainly. outdoor scene- sense of innocence Panning shot of them drinking beer- Last supper biblical allusion. Voice over- ‘ We felt like free men’ Close up of Andy’s face + a beatific smile enjoying his good work Music uplifting Andy did it ‘ Just to feel normal again’ quoted by Red. Andy meets the Warden Warden medium-shot/warden is always shot with back lighting + Shadow to represent evil. Dialogue --> biblical parnage- you don’t know when the master is coming. Warden- i am the light of the world. follow me Ironic as shrouded in darkness Music Scene Allusion to ‘maniage o Figaro ---> ironically about a servant who out willed his master-symbolic A moment of freedom where ‘prison walls dissolve’--> break routine of prison life and transcend day-day numbness Reaction shot of them hypnotized by it High angle on the convicts in the yard and close up (foreground) of the speaker with music Repetition of Andy’s sublime look=given them the gift of music. Panning of expressions Bird symbolic of hope, dream, freedom=‘every last man at shawshank felt free’-reds voice over In library ‘Court of Monte Christo’-Alexander Dumas-allusion Parallels prison escape (wrong/falsely accused)+ plots revenge Murder of Tommy Low key lighting=atmosphere Low angle on warden, high angle on tommy Hidden meanings in dialogue of warden Symbolic close up of foot crushing cigarette-of tommys life Overhead shot of body + blood seeping out Warden looks over him=power casually signals a sniper who is shrouded in darkness. Door slams shut on andy- fade into darkness Escape Scene Scene cuts away to inside the cell Siren sounds in background-universal diagetic sound Irony ‘everyone is in on it-including her’ which she is. The warden/Andy both conceal things behind posters Perspective of inside chiseled tunnel. camera pulls back to reveal tunnel (foreshadowed earlier) Flashbacks to how he did it Still frame (black/white)of news paper (authentic) zoom close up on hammer Escape-lightning reminiscent of ‘Frankenstein’ + new life... Ironic that escape lies behind a poster + a ‘shitty drainpipe- emerges from excremental tube/rectum of prison (last reminder of rape/nightmares) = reborn/rebirth Lands in cleansing water/rain= baptismal (symbolism) Low angle on Andy= power, naked symbolises victorious and liberated in christ like pose over head shot Uplifting music Camera tracking anonymous black shoes Extreme close up of newspaper headlines ‘ corruption, Murder at shawshank’ Sirens approaching prison Norton glances at the tapestry -closeup zoom to extreme- High angle on warden as he looses power Left with image of blood speckled against glass shattered in a close up Andy driving in a convertible- symbolises freedom Red Leaving Close up of gun and compass symbolic of decisions to make Juxtaposed/ contrast focus on compass Both in red cars (andy/red) in the open- ride to freedom long shots emphasize nature and freedom- no buildings/ imprisonment Grasshoppers in air + chirping symbolic of liberation- ‘get busy living or get busy dying’ Coat slung over shoulder - carefree/laid back End Scene Camera skims across the blue pacific ocean and then dissolves into a wide shot (bright/warm sunlit high key lighting beach) Barefooted Camera pulls back revealing wide, distant horizon with no end in sight (long shot -> ext. long shot) Not confined by walls, bars, guards and limits- reconnected, reunited, redeemed with freedom Ocean symbolic of washing away previous sins and guilt. Themes The ideas underlying the text -messages (composers message) -meanings -central concept -what showing The theme IS NOT the plot=the storyline Theme IS NOT the genre=category of a film Important themes in ‘shawshank redemption’ -search for freedom -hope -power of the mind vs authority -institutionalised -importance of friendship -corruption -perseverance -imprisonment -redemption -Search for justice vs injustice -loyalty -survival of the fittest -courage -innocence -power -the sisters vs prisoners -andy vs norton -has intellect and ultimate inner strength power -Guards vs prisoners= physical -Prisoners vs outside world lose their power due to fear -norton/law ironically more corrupt Characters Juxtaposition is used between the characters to seem similar/different.. contrast. Andy is often shot outdoors in high key lighting-full sunshine. Symbolic of freedom and him being innocent and free. He wears the prisoners uniform of light blue and is often associated with music. These symbols reinforce he is a ‘good person’ who belongs in wide open spaces... not shut up in a dingy prison. Warden Norton is dressed in dark suits. He is usually shot indoors in a shadowy environment. He is Andy’s foil --> what andy could become. Ironic that at the end Andy gains freedom and Norton recedes to death. Shawshank Redemption - Themes ]___ Film Techniques - Characters ] Quotes and scenes x 3 What does the title ‘Shawshank Redemption’ mean' Being sent to shawshank actually saved Andy. He realises that he was such a negative person, and that his actions resulted in the way in which things were. Going to prison saved his soul, he realises the person that he was, and the person that he needed to become. It changes his perception of live. 2.What do we learn about the nature of the prison, and how' At first, the warden gives the prisoners the perception that it is a kind a friendly prison, and although that authority and punishment are the main concerns, that the bible is second important. The guards are hypocritical of what the warden enforces eg obeying the bible. Soon into the movie, you realise that the abuse that the prisoners face from the guards, and that what was enforced was just for show. The dark colors represent the nature of lack of freedom, and the feeling of being trapped and terrified. Perceptions are false- everything that happens is hidden in doors- always filmed indoors- symbolic of hiding. 3.What does the library represent to Andy' sense of security/ passion/ replace boredom/time/fullfilling. gives him something to look forward to, something that he can spend his days doing