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“The Shawshank Redemption” is a critically acclaimed prison movie that has been recognized by many critics and even film circles as one of the best movies of all time. It follows a man’s experience in prison and how he deals with hope in a hopeless place.
Find out what makes this prison movie a masterpiece and keep reading to see where you can watch “The Shawshank Redemption” in Canada.
Table of Contents
What Is The Shawshank Redemption All About?
“The Shawshank Redemption” follows banker Andy Dufresne after he was framed for the double murder of his wife and her wife’s lover. Because of this he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences and began a new life at the Shawshank State Prison. Here, he faces a lot of challenges, even getting assaulted by other prisoners when he gets assigned to do laundry work for the prison. Despite being in a hopeless place, Andy uses his skills to do work for a warden when he overhears him having trouble with his taxes. Andy uses this as an opportunity to utilize his skills. His unwavering determination to hold onto hope that things will get better is both seen as inspiring and naive by other prisoners but also catches the attention of another prisoner, Red, who befriends him. From here, they develop more friendships throughout their stay in prison as Andy tries to see the light at the end of his bad experience.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of The Shawshank Redemption?
“The Shawshank Redemption” is a movie based on the novella called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by Stephen King. The movie is directed and written by Frank Darabont. It was produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and distributed by Columbia Pictures with Niki Marvin as producer. The movie also has a talented cast of recognizable actors who gave award-winning performances such as:
- Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne
- Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding
- Bob Gunton as Samuel Norton
- William Sadler as Heywood
- Clancy Brown as Byron Hadley
- Gil Bellows as Tommy Williams
- James Whitmore as Brooks Hatlen
What is the Rating for The Shawshank Redemption?
“The Shawshank Redemption” received a TV-MA rating which means that it is only intended for mature audiences. Themes, topics, as well as languages, may not be suitable for younger audiences.
How Many People Watch The Shawshank Redemption?
“The Shawshank Redemption” faced a lot of hurdles during its box-office run. It was competing with a lot of big movies that eventually became pop culture phenomena. This meant that it did not become an instant hit when it was released. However, when it finally received numerous Oscar nominations, it captured the attention of a lot of audiences prompting a re-release of the movie in theaters and creating a bigger buzz this time around.
How Are the Reviews for The Shawshank Redemption?
Despite not becoming an instant hit, “The Shawshank Redemption” still became one of the most recognizable movies in Hollywood. It was met with astounding praise and even critical acclaim with many praising both the movie, storyline, and even the performances of the actors featured in the movie. Additionally, it even received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and it also made it into many critics’ list of must-watch movies. The Stephen King adaptation also proved to be a success especially when it comes to ratings. It earned an amazing 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 9.3/10 rating on IMDb, and an 82/100 score on Metacritic. Aside from good ratings, it also received impressive reviews from critics such as:
- “In the lead roles, both Robbins and Freeman are outstanding, layering their performances with snippets of individuality: Their small, daily sustenances and minor triumphs are wonderfully inspiring,” says Duane Byrge of Hollywood Reporter.
- “Freeman, who is simply a great actor, a man who has never struck a false note in his career, both narrates this tale and anchors it with his authoritative playing,” says Richard Schickel of TIME Magazine.
Where to Watch The Shawshank Redemption in Canada
You can find out how Andy finds the light amidst his suffering when you watch “The Shawshank Redemption” on different platforms available in Canada.
Is The Shawshank Redemption Available on Streaming?
Crave
Yes, you can watch “The Shawshank Redemption” on Crave. The moving story of these inmates is available on the platform and streaming requires users to subscribe. Subscribing to Crave is as easy as it can be with many options available for viewers to choose from based on your preferences. Here are the available subscription plans that Crave offers for its viewers:
| Plan | Price | Number of Simultaneous Devices | Video Resolution |
| Crave Mobile | CAD$9.99 | 2 devices | HD |
| Crave Total | CAD$19.99 | 4 devices | HD |
| Crave + Movies + HBO Annual | CAD$199.99 | 4 devices | HD |
Subscribing to Crave gives you access to not only “The Shawshank Redemption” but also to a variety of content like “Band of Brothers” and equally compelling and award-nominated movies like “Hacksaw Ridge” which are available on the platform. When you add Starz to your Crave subscription you get a wider selection of content making the most out of your subscription. Whether you’re looking for a new series to binge-watch or something to watch for your next movie night, Crave is sure to satisfy your entertainment cravings.
Netflix
You can also watch the movie on Netflix. “The Shawshank Redemption” is available to be streamed on the platform along with other content that is available for any subscriber to stream. If you are planning to watch the movie here, you get different options for your subscription plan and you can choose which one fits your preference:
| Plan | Price | Number of Simultaneous Screens | Streaming Quality |
| Basic with Ads | CAD$5.99 | 1 device | SD |
| Basic | CAD$9.99 | 1 device | HD |
| Standard | CAD$16.49 | 2 devices | HD |
| Premium | CAD$20.99 | 4 devices | Ultra HD |
Netflix offers a vast selection of movies and series that can be accessed by subscribers once they subscribe to any plan. It is home to many inspiring movies like Stephen King’s equally moving story in “Stand By Me” and movies that portray resilience like “Roma” which can be streamed anytime and anywhere using any device.
Is The Shawshank Redemption Available for Rent (VOD)?
If you would rather rent or purchase “The Shawshank Redemption,” it is also available on different VOD platforms in Canada. Here are a few platforms that offer viewers this option. Do take note that rented films are only available for a limited time.
| Platform | Rent | Purchase |
| Apple TV | CAD$4.99 | CAD$12.99 |
| Amazon Prime | CAD$4.99 | CAD$12.99 |
| Cineplex | CAD$5.99 | CAD$13.99 |
| Google Play Store | CAD$4.99 | CAD$14.99 |
| Microsoft | CAD$4.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Youtube Movies | CAD$4.99 | CAD$14.99 |
Is The Shawshank Redemption on Cable or Free TV?
Unfortunately, “The Shawshank Redemption” is unavailable on any free TV or cable networks in Canada.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch The Shawshank Redemption?
You are not required to use a VPN to watch “The Shawshank Redemption” in Canada. Once you subscribe to Crave and Netflix, you can stream the movie without any restrictions. You can also watch the movie freely when you purchase or rent it on VOD platforms.
The Complexities Of Hope In Dark Places
“The Shawshank Redemption” weaves a beautiful story that tackles reflection on one’s innermost faith and ability to hold onto hope despite being in situations where it can slip away easily. What the people in Shawshank represent is sort of a reflection of being in a hopeless place regardless of whether one deserves it or not. In its entirety, the movie lets audiences witness the story of prisoners and how each day is a fight for survival not to be alive but to feel alive and as if life is still worth living. At the same time, it is a movie that does not rely on traditional representation of people in prison. With the shock value factors or elements removed from this depiction, audiences are drawn into seeing if the lives of the people they are witnessing are worthy of their fate. This is also the brilliant thing about the movie. The fact that it exposes the misaligned and often tipped scales of justice makes it an eye-opening tale of the reality that some may deserve the time that they spend in prison, some probably don’t and some might have started their path of growth. Regardless, inside, they are all viewed the same and often cancel out the good they might have had. Overall, aside from the good story, it is filled with amazing performances from its actors proving why the film deserves to be considered as one of the best of all time by critics.
Find hope in the worst places in “The Shawshank Redemption” and watch the movie on Netflix, Crave Starz, and VOD platforms in Canada.
