Review of Shawshank Redemption, The

Video

This version of The Shawshank Redemption is the re-released widescreen version, which replaced the earlier `pan and scan` only release that was in circulation at the beginning of this year.

You get both versions of the film (4:3 and 16:9) on separate sides of the DVD, so this is not a dreaded `flipper` release, more a dual sided disc. The film is split over 18 chapters, and the disc`s many extras are mainly on the 4:3 side, with some being replicated on the 16:9 side B of the DVD.

Picture quality on both versions of the film is fair, but the high compression used has had a detrimental effect on picture quality. Even though the disc is anamorphic, it good have been better.

Audio

Unusually there is no Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack on this disc - you get Dolby Digital 2.0 only. I don`t know why this should be the case, but the film is not a typical major surround sound effort anyway. The 2.0 sound is however adequate for this film, but it would have been nice to have a full 5.1 track to audition.

Features

Quite a nice bunch of extras on this disc. Firstly you get both versions of the movie on different sides. It is always nice when film companies do this, and let the user choose the version required - widescreen is not everyone`s cup of tea of course. The menus are nicely animated with part of the musical score attached.

You get various sub-plots, the trailer, cast interviews and cast biographies. I like the sub-plot idea, the only other disc I have with this feature is Brassed Off. Selecting a sub-plot allows the DVD player to play back certain chapters in order to emphasise a point i.e. Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red`s (Morgan Freeman) blossoming friendship over the course of the movie.

Conclusion

This is a very moving film, and features highly on many people`s top 10 lists. This DVD is also nicely presented, and it is obvious much thought has gone in to its production (over the older version it superseded). Morgan Freeman provides the story telling along the way, and adds to the effect this powerful film has over the audience.

All in all, a very good film and a very good DVD. What more can I say? Go buy it!