Cinema has a lot of baggage. Many systems do and for those invested in it, it can hurt to see how these systems are designed to block instead of build on the arts magic. Like many of us, I have seen this happen in the way those with the ear of cinema’s funders or academic voices with funding (for the funds are the key thing ) dictate how and what should be said and, more importantly by whom. This has led to a very fickle imagining of what matters in film and society. Explaining why we are here. From nepotism (the film industry is rife on both academic and creative) to nihilism. With millions of great films disappearing into the void of nothingness after ever shorter times, it scares me. I am temporary but cinema is not. Now I understand because of the direction of financial reward and audience attention, this is to be expected. Today forgotten films can be those like THE MATRIX. Seen as if they were crafted like the EPIC OF GILGAMESH, from an imagined, alien past.

Sometimes though, sometimes this is countered by what I call a ‘divine’ but others mere human will. A human passion if you will. A humanity that finds something in the thing that resonates beyond merely financial success or immediacy of release. As I reach the last days of my full time, unpaid, writing career in the film world, I think back to these films. There are some that make me remember an imagined past of undiscovered gems and magical moments in front of a cinema screen (or in this case a TV screen). THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is a case in point of this.

Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is a new inmate in The Shawshank Correctional facility. Framed for the double murder of his wife and her lover, he was a rich banker on the outside, now set to serve life as another wasted life. But maybe he has a chance. Befriending another prisoner named Ellis Boyd Redding (Morgan Freeman), who can get things and is seen as a sagely guy with a kind heart. As they both grow into the life of an institutional convict, Andy is brought into use as an accountant to the guards and the corrupt Warden Norton (Bob Gunton). Admired by the other inmates, protected by head of guards Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) Andy wants more. Freedom. At any cost…

Right enough of my grandstanding. The set has some nice bits and bobs. Artwork from this set and then original and other release posters that are all nice enough. With the new art work being really well framed and potently capturing a key scene. The real talking points are the discs. First, the Blu Ray which is the same as the previous release. same menu, same extras, same type and font. Highlights are the SHARK TANK REDEMPTION that is funny and respectful of a masterpiece. Darabont’s commentary (that I have heard before) is a study in why films are made and translation of others work. Being as Darabont is honest, it is both insightful and worth the 2 plus hours of your and his time.

But the UHD, which I have not seen before, is the reason we are all here. Firstly, it looks great. Actually, it looks amazing. Clarity is a magical thing. Done right it makes a film feel new. Like you are discovering it again. From a fresh set of eyes or with a sense of why it matters as a person seeing it from another age. Here it is exceptional. Done with a gravity I adored. Watching it again, it felt new. Unblemished. Now aside from this, there is the depth of colours, warmth of tone and seasonal diffusions that this all captures. Resonating the films layers and performances. If you want the definite version of this masterpiece, well here it is. Come and get it…

Featured In Pack

• NEW KEY ART by Matt Ferguson & Florey from Vice Press
• ACETATE O-RING – Removes for type-free display of your key art
• Exclusive individually-numbered CRYSTAL DISPLAY PLAQUE
• Rigid clamshell box with MAGNETIC CLOSURE
• 7 collectible CHARACTER CARDS – with added film quotes
• Reproduction of Andy’s BURIED LETTER for Red
• Double-sided reproductions of original THEATRICAL POSTERS
• Poster of the NEW KEY ART
• Feature film on 4K-UHD and BLU-RAY with Special Features

On Disc Special Features

• Commentary by Writer/Director Frank Darabont
• 2 Documentaries: Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Back as The Shawshank Redemption, Shawshank: The Redemption Feature
• Comic Spoof The Shark tank Redemption
• Stills, storyboards and collectibles galleries
• Theatrical trailer

Synopsis