MovieChat Forums > The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Discussion > The only scene that was a bit of a let d...

The only scene that was a bit of a let down for me SPOILERS

posted 5 months ago by PackManDan (53)
10 replies | jump to latest

I love this movie. It’s one of my all-time favorites. There’s only one scene in it that is a bit of a let down.

Maybe I was expecting too much because the movie is amazing but the scene is when Andy tells Red that if he ever gets out, to go find this particular rock under a tree.

Red ends up getting out and finding the rock and opens the box. I’m not sure what I was expecting the surprise to be but when it’s revealed there’s some money and a letter saying to meet Andy in Mexico it’s just a bit of a let down because I was expecting to be blown away by what’s in the box.

I wanted to be WOW’d when its contents are revealed but I wasn’t. Can anyone articulate their feelings about this scene to make me appreciate it more?

[–] blindfolded (1530) 5 months ago

Definitely disagree with you.

That part was never meant to be a huge wow. The entire climax with the escape reveal was a actually a series of wows in itself... the vanishing Andy, the poster reveal, the rock hammer reveal, the Bible reveal, the outfit and shoes, the rubble down his pants reveal, what the rope was for, the manifestation of Randall Stevens, and the stolen books, and the Wardens comeuppance.

By the time we get to the field, its no longer about the Wow. That part is over. Now, it's more about the subversion of Red's post prison journey of hope, juxtaposed to Brooks' journey without it.
"Hope" is the ultimate message. The envelope represents Red's hope and a new purpose which is to reunite with Andy.

Furthermore, the fact that Red and the audience may have half-expected the geocache to be something originally meant for Andy or Andy's wife, and not specifically left for Red serves as a bit of a reveal itself.

[–] PackManDan (53) 5 months ago

I appreciate your input. Thank you. I was definitely wowed by the reveals before that (the hole in the wall, rock hammer purpose, bible, etc…)

[–] strntz (10903) 5 months ago

Blind nailed it.

While I had never considered what else could have been in the box, I honestly can't think of anything with more "wow" that would keep the story moving towards Red and Andy reuniting free and happy men.

I've seen this so many times that I tried to remember back when I first saw it and the contents of the box was revealed. I remember the scene being very satisfying and I pictured Andy first making his way to the place Red could find to plant the money and instructions *before* heading across Mexico to ultimate freedom. He could have just left Maine the second he had warden's money but didn't.

I guess you could come up with a more "wow" content of the box reveal, but I don't think it would have been any more satisfying.

[–] PackManDan (53) 5 months ago

I get what you’re saying. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I need to watch again some time soon.

[–] GenoWashingline (811) 5 months ago

Perfect explanation from Blind.

I remember when I first saw the movie, my mind was racing as to what would be in there, I was thinking it may be something a bit 'fantastical' or something to do with his wife, something that would have been there before he went to prison for sure...

and when I found out I found my soul being soothed...

Andy had remembered his friend, even though he was now free, and had gone to that hard to get to spot (whilst on the run) to keep his promise to him.

[–] moviechatterer (13470) 5 months ago

AND he committed to that while still inside .
The box wasnt even there when he was telling Red (as you know)

I always wondered how he know he was gonna be able to find the big black bit of rare rock he was planning on marking the spot with.

[–] strntz (10903) 5 months ago

I always wondered how he know he was gonna be able to find the big black bit of rare rock he was planning on marking the spot with.

He? Red or Andy?

If Andy, he already knew that rock was there, or at least hoped no one took it away from that spot that Andy knew well.

If you're talking about Red which I think you are - Andy gave Red very clear instructions on how and where to find the big tree, rock wall, and the black volcanic glass rock. All he had to do was hope Red didn't forget, but Andy made him promise.

Now, if Andy discovered when he went to Buxton after he escaped that the spot he told Red about had been developed, or the tree cut down or fallen, or the rock wall gone or the volcanic rock itself gone, Andy would have had to come up with a back-up plan.

[–] moviechatterer (13470) 5 months ago

I meant Andy.
It didnt occur to me the rock was already there (like he obviosly knew the tree was there )

I assumed he planned to mark the spot , and had to decide in advance while talking to Red , what to mark it with .

but yeah , I guess he could have spotted the black stone on previous visit.

[–] strntz (10903) 5 months ago

but yeah , I guess he could have spotted the black stone on previous visit.

Andy told Red he was an amateur geologist when he asked Red to get him a rock hammer for his hobby, so he would have definitely noticed the rock during the time he wasn't actually banging his wife under the tree.. LOL.

If there was no unique rock at that location, Andy probably would have directed Red to dig on the (say) North side of the tree or between the tree and the wall - somewhere where Andy could bury the box that Red would be sure to find if he knew where to look.

[–] Melton (2377) 5 months ago

I believe Andy brought the rock there. He even said that black volcanic glass had ‘no earthly business’ being in that place.

It was a marker for Red, but subtle enough to not draw attention to itself.

The only scene that was a bit of a let down for me *SPOILERS*

The only scene that was a bit of a let down for me SPOILERS