Shawshank Redemption similarities to Escape from Alcatraz
Sun, 2008-08-17 21:08
I completely agree with you
I completely agree with you dude, and there's more. Eastwood dumps dirt in the yard through his trousers, just like Robbins in Shawshank. Also, he hides the nail file (or whatever it was) in a bible, just like Robbins does with a rock hammer in Shawshank. The warden in Alcatraz shakes down the cell, just like in Shawshank. The old cellmate in Alcatraz has a rat as a pet and he feeds it Eastwood's food in their first scene together, just like Robbins gives Brooks' bird food in their first scene together in Shawshank. The list goes on and on. Both are great movies though...
Fri, 2009-02-20 12:16
Mon, 2009-03-02 08:01
"shawshank" blatant lift of "alcatraz" tsk tsk
Adam and William,"inspired" and "similarities" are too kind. Anyone that's watched Shawshank a lot instantly spots the fingerprints on this one. As you said, the list goes on (a lot longer), and in blatant detail and overall story concept. How may other works has SK lifted? I'm disappointed in him. I suppose, though, it was ultimately the producers that were condescending enough to bank on the public not viewing the "alcatraz" original or making the connection.
Mon, 2009-03-02 08:51
The Count of Monte Cristo
Of course the story lines are similar. But how about The Count of Monte Cristo, which Andy even mentions in Shawshank. Both Shawshank and Alcatraz borrow from this storyline. To take it one step further: The Count of Monte Cristo is alleged to borrow from a book by Jacques Peuchet.
Posts: 50
I recently watched some of Escape from Alcatraz and saw many similarities with the Shawshank Redemption. I guess Stephen King used Escape from Alcatraz as a reference point. And why not? It is a great movie.
I'd like to watch Escape from Alcatraz properly and make a good comparison. However, for now I'll list the similarities I can remember.
The main character makes friends with a black inmate. Although, of course, this is only true in the Shawshank Redemption movie. In the book the characters race is not discussed.
An inmate has a pet.
Several of the guards are compassionate towards the inmates.