The Shawshank Redemption movie is better than the book

[blobfish]

Thoughts?

 

[Bert Notorius]

I really need to pee.

 

[RoryN]

Considering how many other films owe themselves to that book, I think you're an idiot.

 

[MNGuy]

Was that on AMC again? Must have been, it's been about three weeks since it was last on.

 

[blobfish]

Considering how many other films owe themselves to that book, I think you're an idiot.

I hope you're talking about Stand By Me and not Apt Pupil.

 

[KRCummings]

Thoughts?

Better than the novella or the entire book?

 

[KRCummings]

Was that on AMC again? Must have been, it's been about three weeks since it was last on.

Interesting reason it's on so often. The movie was generally considered a failure (even though it technically wasn't) at the BO so the rights were bought really cheap and therefore is cheap to broadcast so it's a great movie to fill time on a schedule. It's our luck that it happens to be one of the all time great films and never really gets old.
Now get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.

 

[phrodeau]

It's one of the few films I've actually seen in a cinema on its original run. The print was awful, severely damaged in several sections. Maybe that's why it didn't do so hot.

 

[KRCummings]

It's one of the few films I've actually seen in a cinema on its original run. The print was awful, severely damaged in several sections. Maybe that's why it didn't do so hot.

I saw it opening weekend. I was really excited because it was one of my favorite King stories. I was not at all disappointed but I think there were only 10 people in the theater.

 

[blobfish]

Better than the novella or the entire book?

I meant the novella, but it might be better than the whole book, excepting The Body/Stand By Me. I'm not a huge King fan, but those two stories are really good.

 

[KRCummings]

I meant the novella, but it might be better than the whole book, excepting The Body/Stand By Me. I'm not a huge King fan, but those two stories are really good.

No, it's not better than the novella. For all it's great qualities the film chose to ignore, condense or change some key elements that gave the story more depth. The decision to have only one warden is understandable but it gave the book a more realistic feel to it. Killing the kid instead of shipping him off was too neat and meant to make us like him more. Brooks bird is conveniently ignored although makes a fine subplot in the story.

 

[Bert Notorius]

I can't watch Tim Robbins without thinking of that slut he fucks...used to fuck.

 

[blobfish]

No, it's not better than the novella. For all it's great qualities the film chose to ignore, condense or change some key elements that gave the story more depth. The decision to have only one warden is understandable but it gave the book a more realistic feel to it. Killing the kid instead of shipping him off was too neat and meant to make us like him more. Brooks bird is conveniently ignored although makes a fine subplot in the story.

Nah, those are minor details, and they would make a movie needlessly long.