Mark Kermode, writer and presenter of the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature, traces the history of this unexpected audience favorite from the pages of Stephen King's novella 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption', through the icy corridors of Ohio's Mansfield Reformatory (whose imposing gothic architecture dominates the film), to the television and video screens on which The Shawshank Redemption became a phenomenon. Kermode's account draws on extensive interviews with writer/director Frank Darabont and leading players Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The book also explores the near-religious fervour that the film inspires in its huge number of devoted fans.

I was fortunate to see THE SHAWSHANK REMEMPTION in the theater when it was first released. When I walked out of the theater, I felt I had just seen the Best Film of that year and that it should win an Academy Award. I saw it with my mother and father-in-law, which is and will be the only film I ever viewed with them in a theater. For that reason the movie is special to me but of course that’s not the only reason I love the film. I later had the chance to view the film with Frank Darabont, who was speaking at a screenwriting seminar and this viewing helped give me more understanding of the film.

Mark Kermode delves deep into why he thinks the film grabs the heart of so many audience members and I have to say he nails it. The religious imagery, situations and dialogue are exposed with his keen insight. Kermode proves he is one of the guys out there who able to break films down to what really makes them work.