It’s hard to imagine a world where “The Shawshank Redemption” isn’t thought of as one of the best films of the last three decades. However, upon its release, ‘Shawshank’ didn’t exactly light up the box office and was seen as a big flop. And according to actor Tim Robbins, he thinks that maybe one of the reasons for that failure is the title itself.
Speaking to EW, Robbins was asked why he thinks “The Shawshank Redemption” wasn’t an immediate hit back in 1994 when it was released. Obviously, the content of the film is spectacular, so there has to be some other reason, right? Well, Robbins thinks it could be the title.
“When it came out, and was not well received at the box office, there were various reasons given: Well, it’s the title, no one can remember the title,” explained Robbins. “And that makes sense too, because for years after that film came out, people would come up to me and say, ‘You know, I really liked you in that film Scrimshaw Reduction’ or ‘Shimmy, Shimmy, Shake’ or ‘Shankshaw’ — you know, so many different ways that people got it wrong.”
He continued, “But again, the immediate reaction at that time wasn’t as important as whether the film would have life in video and on cable. And when given a chance, when people actually started to see the movie, it became something that was a movie that people had to watch several times.”
But, even with the difficult-to-remember name, “The Shawshank Redemption” became a classic film that was beloved by almost everyone who did eventually catch it, most likely on cable or home video. And why it became such an iconic film, according to the star, is for a variety of reasons.
“One is that there are very, very few films that are about the relationship, the friendship between two men that doesn’t involve car chases or being charming with the ladies and those kinds of buddy movies,” Robbins said. “This one is about a true, deep friendship that lasts…But in the larger picture, I think it’s a film that is about hope, and about transcending whatever challenges or obstacles are in your life to become a better person. To overcome those obstacles and know that somewhere, if you have patience, and a belief, and you live your life with generosity, that there might be a spot on the beach in Zihuatanejo [Mexico, where Andy and Red meet up at the end of the film] for all of us.”
You really can’t argue with that. The film is one of the best films of all time specifically for those reasons, as well as the masterful filmmaking of Frank Darabont and the incredible performances of the leads, Morgan Freeman and Robbins. And yes, the film is most definitely one of the few male buddy films that don’t revolve around action setpieces, which in the world that just was given “Hobbs & Shaw,” is a rare thing, indeed.
Robbins can next be seen in the upcoming Stephen King adaptation “Castle Rock” Season 2, which premieres on Hulu on October 16.