The Shawshank Redemption Essay

816 Words2 Pages

How is the theme of friendship conveyed in the film? In The Shawshank Redemption, a film directed by Frank Darabont, Friendship is a prominent theme that is explored throughout the story of Andy Dufresne, Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding and their imprisonment and subsequent friendship. Darabont uses a range of techniques in this film to convey that theme of friendship, such as lighting, dialogue, music/score, Camera angles, mise-en-scene and camera shots. When Andy has is first interaction with Red we see the first hints of friendship displayed through the techniques of light and dialogue. When Andy approaches Red in the yard to talk about purchasing a rock hammer, the lighting is bright and colourful and the dialogue friendly and humorous, the first …show more content…

Mise-en-scene is used to convey friendship in scenes such as the rooftop scene and for many of Andy and Red’s conversations in the yard. When Andy and Red are together and are enjoying their friendship the setting and arrangement of props is often very open, with little bars or imposing walls to look intimidating or dominating. This displays how together they are as free as they can be while imprisoned in Shawshank. When Andy is alone, the bars and walls tower over and confine Andy, making him appear constrained and vulnerable. This is a direct contrast to many of the scenes with Red and Andy together, this is to show how alone they are powerless but together they have some control over their lives. Camera shots are used to show their friendship in many scenes, there are many examples that have Andy and Red in a mid-shot together in the same shot. Often facing towards each other or facing the same direction. These shots that show them together close up creates a sense of intimacy between the two, as these characters are the sole focus of these scenes. Darabont has placed many scenes like this throughout the film to highlight their friendship and differentiate their relationship as special compared to relationships with many of the side

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