Cool Shank Stuff


FACTS, AWARDS & COOL SHANK STUFF!

  • The majority of the movie was filmed in Mansfield, Ohio with scenes from the U.S. Virgin Islands; Ashland, Ohio; Butler, Ohio; Upper Sandusky, Ohio; and Portland, Maine.
  • Mansfield was scouted-out by the producers in March 1993. Filming took place between June-September 1993.
  • The movie premiered on Tuesday, September 13, 1994 at the Historic Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, Ohio.
  • The original story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption was written by Stephen King.
  • Roger Ebert, a respected film critic, listed The Shawshank Redemption on his "Great Movies" list in 1999.
  • Although The Shawshank Redemption was only a reasonable box office hit, it has become one of the most successful video and DVD rentals of all time.
  • Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Morgan Freeman.
  • Golden Globe Nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Morgan Freeman.
  • Though nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, this fan favorite did not find its audience until it was released on home video just shy of the Academy Awards ceremony.
  • Ranked #1 top movie of all time by Empire Magazine.
  • Kevin Costner turned down the role, which was a big regret for him.
  • When Tommy Williams (played by Gil Bellows) is on the bus, the man seated behind him is Dennis Baker who was the former warden of the Ohio State Reformatory where the movie was filmed.
  • The pictures of the young-looking Morgan Freeman attached to his parole papers are actually pictures of Morgan Freeman's son Alfonso Freeman.
  • How did the Ohio State Reformatory end up in the movie? Director Frank Darabont attended the ShowBiz Expo film trade show in Los Angeles. He was directed to the Ohio Film Office booth where he was seeking an empty prison. An aerial view of the reformatory was shown to him and rest is history.
  • Shawshank makes the top "Best Movie Endings" list. Click on http://wtvn.com/main.html, then click on the "Top 50 Movie Endings" link in the "Must See TVN" list in the middle of the page. Scroll through to #47 to see the Shawshank listing.
  • Check out this web site by Herve Attia who visits filming locations of his favorite movies. http://onthesetshawshankredemption.blogspot.com/
  • Here's an interesting trivia Shawshank site! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/trivia
  • A young film maker produced a series of videos that show the locations and the people involved 15 years ago. The following are the videos, check them out!

 

What People Are Saying About Their Trail Experience

♦Had a most awesome time...recommend it to anyone. Don A., Ohio
♦Magical experience as you pass the Oak Tree and cross over the crest of the hill that reveals the stone wall. Tommy H., Ohio

♦The Shawshank Trail is one of the most exciting and creative ideas to come along in some time. Sam S., OH

♦It is an experience in itself. Imagine yourself on the inside at the prison and then on the outside. Once you have done the trail you find the journey is just as exciting as each destination. Fred C., MI

♦Love it, best movie site for Ohioans ever. Brian S., OH

♦The Shawshank Redemption is one of those rare movies that have touched the lives of so many people. Michael B., NY