When The Shawshank Redemption Released in 1994, the film was a critical acclaim and a hit with audiences around the world, but few could have predicted the loyal fan base that would still surround it 30 years later.
Morgan Freeman sitting outside wearing a hat and prison uniform in a scene from the movie “The … [+]
Although The Shawshank Redemption The film is set in Maine, with principal photography taking place in Mansfield, Ohio. The Ohio State Reformatory served as a prison, and many other locations from the film can still be found in Mansfield. Now, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, the city of Mansfield is inviting fans to come out and join in the celebrations scheduled for August 8-11, 2024.
The Origins of a Classic Film
Written and directed by Frank Darabont, the screenplay for The Shawshank Redemption was based on Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemptiona 1982 short story by Stephen King. Among its many honors, the Library of Congress selected the feature film in 2015 for preservation in the National Film Registry.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Frank Darabont acquired the rights to Stephen King’s story for just $5,000, and adapted the novella into a highly regarded screenplay that was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The Week reported that King never cashed that $5,000 check, returning it to Darabont with a note that read, “In case you need bail money. Kind regards, Steve.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Actors Morgan Freeman (left) and Tim Robbins arrive at the Academy of … [+]
The film received seven Oscar nominations. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins both told Vanity Fair that The Shawshank Redemption is the movie that fans always talk about. Freeman said people tell him it’s the “best movie,” while Robbins said people often tell him it changed their lives. Tim Robbins even noted that Nelson Mandela mentioned how much he loved the movie when they met.
In 1996, Warner Bros. acquired the film rights, and the film was a financial success due to its home media sales and television licensing by Warner Bros. This allowed it to reach an even wider audience who could watch it repeatedly at any time.
The 30th Anniversary Weekend of “The Shawshank Redemption”
The Shawshank Redemption has remained a legend around the world and especially in the region where it was filmed. The film’s anniversary weekend, August 8-11, will be filled with tours of more than a dozen filming locations in the Mansfield, Ohio, area. It will also include meet-and-greets and photo ops with the film’s cast.
There will be screenings and panel discussions with the film’s writer/director Frank Darabont as well as some of the film’s actors and extras. You can get showtimes and tickets on the Shawshank Trail website . (Just keep in mind that they expect to sell out, so you’ll want to plan ahead.)
Filming locations of “The Shawshank Redemption”
The anniversary weekend, taking place in Mansfield, Upper Sandusky and Ashland, Ohio, will feature guided and self-guided tours of the film’s filming locations. Bus tours will be offered during the event, stopping at key locations from the film.
The Shawshank Redemption Trail is a self-guided tour that can be done year-round and can of course be enjoyed during this celebration. Most of the filming sites are free to access and you can look for the signs that identify each site when you arrive. Here are some of the places to visit.
Historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield
Morgan Freeman and Frank Darabont filmed the former reformatory.
The Shawshank Museum and one of the film’s main filming locations, the Ohio State Penitentiary, is the first stop for most visitors looking to tour the Mansfield, Ohio filming locations. The museum displays props, costumes, and set pieces from the film. The Ohio State Penitentiary became a character in its own right in the film, and the director was able to effectively portray the brutal nature of prison life that the characters experienced there.
You can customize your visit as there are many experiences and tours available. You can learn about its history and alleged paranormal activities in the “haunted rooms.” Alternatively, you can stick to the movie theme and walk in the footsteps of Andy and Red, the main characters of the film, in the austere prison where they lived.
Other films have been shot in this former reformatory, including Air Force One, Tango and Cash, Harry and Walter go to New YorkAnd Judas and the Black Messiah.
Mansfield Antiques Gallery in Mansfield
Referred to as the pawn shop window in the movie, Mansfield Antiques Gallery is located in the historic Carrousel District. It’s a fun place to stop for selfies.
Central Park in downtown Mansfield
Brooks Bench is a popular selfie spot in Mansfield.
Brooks Bench is located in Central Park in downtown Mansfield. The Shawshank RedemptionBrooks sat on the park bench to watch the birds and hope his pet crow would show up. The original bench used in the movie is where the overlook is located, according to The Shawshank Trail, and a replica of the bench sits along a walkway just west of the overlook. It’s green with a Shawshank plaque. It’s designed to be selfie-friendly, so feel free to whip out your smartphone or camera to snap a photo.
Route to Buxton in Butler
If you want to see the route Red (Morgan Freeman) took to get to Buxton, head to the corner of Snyder Road and Hagerman Road in Butler, Ohio. In the movie, the character gets out of the red truck and sets off on his new adventure, and it’s also a great selfie spot for fans of the film.
Visit the Shawshank Trail website for complete information on all trail locations and how to best access them.
Filming site signs dot locations along the Shawshank Trail.
Star-Studded Events in Mansfield with Morgan Freeman
The celebration weekend begins on Thursday, August 8, 2024 with a screening of The Shawshank Redemption It’s done drive-in style. The film will be shown on a large screen set up in the back parking lot of the historic Renaissance Theatre, just for the weekend. More screenings inside the theater are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, August 9, there will be a 30th anniversary cast discussion hosted by writer/director Frank Darabont, Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz and other key figures from the film. Earlier in the day, there will be a behind-the-scenes and beyond panel with Kokayi Ampah, the film’s location manager. The Shawshank Redemption; he will share information about how she chose the locations in and around Mansfield, Ohio, for the film.
On Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, a panel of background actors will be held. Key actors who played a central role in the filmmaking process will give a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of filming.
Actors who will make appearances and sign autographs include Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, Alfonso Freeman, Mack Miles and Paul Kennedy.
Other things to do in Mansfield
While there is plenty of movie-related entertainment to enjoy throughout the 30th anniversary weekend, you won’t want to miss some of the other great attractions in Mansfield, Ohio. If you’re traveling with young children, don’t miss the Buckeye Imagination Museum and the Mansfield Fire Museum & Education Center. The Frank P. Lahm Aviation Museum and the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum can be enjoyed by all ages.
Try to spend at least half a day at the charming gardens of the Kingwood Center. Oak Hill Cottage, the Renaissance Theatre, and Richland Carrousel Park are must-see sites for history buffs.
