Cool Stuff



   

  • The Shawshank Trail was featured on "All Things Considered" with Cory Turner of NPR, August 4, 2011.  http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=138986482&m=138996241
  • The Shawshank Trail was featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and online on August 20, 2011.  http://video-embed.cleveland.com/services/player/bcpid619326673001?bclid=0&bctid=1118505626001
  • View photos of the Trail on Cleveland.com, http://photos.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/2011/08/the_shawshank_trail_8.html
  • 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.
  • The Bissman Building, used in the movie as the scenes of the Portland Daily Bugle and the front of the hotel where Brooks hung himself after being paroled, is open for paranormal ghost hunts. Visit their web site, http://www.bissmanbuilding.com/
  • Four major motion pictures have been filmed at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory- Harry and Walter Go to New York, Tango and Cash, Shawhshank Redemption and Air Force One.
  • Want to impress your friends with a cool dessert?  Order a Shawshank Bundt Cake from the Eatmor Bundt Company in Mansfield, /things-to-do/eatmor-bundt-company.
  • 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.
  • Hungry while traveling the Shawshank Trail?  Try a Shawshankwich at Ed Pickens' Cafe on Main, http://www.cafeonmain.net/
  • The Shawshank Trail has its own Facebook page.  Become a friend!
  • Shawshank has been mentioned in TV movies:  Will & Grace, The Simpsons & Family Guy.
  • 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.
  • The tunnel Tim Robbins was crawling through to escape was actually chocolate syrup and sawdust- not sewer!  It's on display at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory.
  • Kevin Costner turned down the role, which was a big regret for him.
  • Traveling along the Shawshank Trail, stop by the Squirrel's Den for their official "Prison Bar" candy bar.
  • Stroh's was the beer of choice when the prisoners were drinking on the roof top.
  • The Shawshank Redemption was the most rented video in 1995.
  • Enjoy a Shawshank Sundae at the Olivesburg General Store in Ashland, Ohio.  They also have the original ceiling lights that were used in the movie, www.olivesburggeneralstore.com
  • 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
♦A dream come true. Best movie ever made in my books. Watch it every chance I get. Makes you realize how lucky you really are.  Rick Ayres, Dutton, Ontario, Canada 
♦"The Shawshank Trail idea is genius!"  A visitor to the Historic Ohio State Reformatory.
♦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