The Shawshank Redemption: trivia

Director Frank Darabont watched 'Goodfellas' (1990) every Sunday while shooting this film and drew inspiration from it, on using voice-over narration and showing the passage of time.

Jeff Bridges, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp and Charlie Sheen were all considered for the part of Andy Dufresne. Hanks turned it down because he was committed to 'Forrest Gump' (1994). Costner liked the script a lot but was then embroiled in the filming of 'Waterworld' (1995).

Although a very modest hit in theaters, it became one of the highest-grossing video rentals of all time.

Frank Darabont took a pay cut in order to be allowed to shoot his own script.

Frank Darabont wrote the script in eight weeks.

The role of Tommy Williams was intended for Brad Pitt, who instead played the lead role in 'Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles' (1994) the same year.

Every picture, except for the big posters, in Andy's cell were all hand picked by actor Tim Robbins himself.

To prepare for his role as Andy Dufresne, Tim Robbins actually spent some time in solitary confinement.

This movie was released in Taiwan as "1995: Fantastic" (it was released in Taiwan in 1995). Many viewers thought it would be an action movie.