I don’t think it’s much of a debate that The Shawshank Redemption is generally considered an all-time great movie by just about everyone. But it has recently come to my attention that one little detail of it is TOTALLY wrong. On the night that Andy escapes, he shines the warden’s shoes, then wears them back to his cell in order to have a nice pair for his trip to the bank the next day. Here’s the quote from Red as he narrates:
“Andy did like he was told, buffed those shoes to a high mirror shine. The guards simply didn’t notice. Neither did I… I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes?”
Now I’ve got a story for you: In the bar I work at the uniform is a black shirt, jeans, and grey Converse All-Stars. The other day it was snowing and the streets were a mess, and since I walk to work, I wore a pair of black boots instead of my grey sneakers. And let me tell you, EVERYBODY noticed. The second I stepped in the door each coworker I passed by made a comment. So you’re telling me that every single day, for 19 years, Andy Dufresne wore that same light blue shirt, jeans, and dirty brown boots; then all of a sudden one night he’s got on shiny black shoes, and nobody notices? No way. Sorry Red, I’m not buying it.
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About Mark Vandeusen