Shawshank - The film or the story

[Black Suit]

I have recently finished reading the short story Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and I have to say that it was indeed an excellent story with much felt heart, compassion and sincerity.

Observing and comparing the story to the film though, I have to say that watching the film is much more of a treat to me.. maybe because the characters come to life and the story itself is sort of reborn..

What I liked most about the film was the outcome of Warden Norton.. I believe he gets what he deserves in the film more than in the story.. I liked that they expanded the Brooks character alot more .. Also, its Darabont's direction how he manipulates each scene and sets everything up so meticulously.

And of course, the ending.. I'm not too much of a fan of happy ending unless they're truly deserved (True Romance comes to mind) and this is defintley is.. I love that Red finally is reunited with his friend..

a timeless classic

[Srbo]

For me - the movie.

That and Stand by me are the only movies that actually top the story, IMO.

[LongWalker]

I have recently finished reading the short story Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and I have to say that it was indeed an excellent story with much felt heart, compassion and sincerity.

Observing and comparing the story to the film though, I have to say that watching the film is much more of a treat to me.. maybe because the characters come to life and the story itself is sort of reborn..

What I liked most about the film was the outcome of Warden Norton.. I believe he gets what he deserves in the film more than in the story.. I liked that they expanded the Brooks character alot more .. Also, its Darabont's direction how he manipulates each scene and sets everything up so meticulously.

And of course, the ending.. I'm not too much of a fan of happy ending unless they're truly deserved (True Romance comes to mind) and this is defintley is.. I love that Red finally is reunited with his friend..

a timeless classic

I feel the same way about this book and movie. It is a good ending and a much deserved one, and is oddly unlike Sai King's usual endings.

[dw1345]

I just saw the movie recently as well and was surprised to find that I actually liked the movie better than the story. It was a great story to begin with, I just thought the film was an improvement. At first I wasn't sure how well Morgan Freeman was going to work out as Red (since in the story he's a white redhead) but after seeing the movie I really don't see how they could have done it any different. Morgan was fantastic as Red.

[Dani~]

Yes this movie is definitely a classic. I loved the story and it's so great that the film did justice to it. If only all adaptations turned out as well.

[seanryan]

The movie was perfection. A look of a real passion project. I loved every frame of the movie and never understood why it didn't do as well as it should when released (but a cult classic ever since).

Which is better? I wouldn't be able to pick. Without the story the script/movie would have never existed.

For me its the closest a film has come to capturing the essence of a Stephen King story.

I have often wondered why the best adaptations of King's work (so far) are based on short stories. (inc. Stand by me).

[scotts_girl]

usually prefer the books like most but this movie was so well done loved it

[Jojo87]

The movie. Because I haven't read the book yet.

[coolambindang]

I actually just watched the movie again, for the umptenth time, and I have to say it is so great. I do prefer the movie but it is so obvious that a great writer created this story. My mother in-law refused to believe me when I told her that it was SK's story. It just did not fit into her vision of SK and his genere. Of course SK trancends genres.

[smooth operator]

I loved them both. Usually, the movie version is sadly lacking, but not in this case. The Green Mile is also very well done.