by Brianne Bowles

The National Film Preservation Board ensures the legacy of the American film heritage along with the survival of classic films. Just recently, twenty-five movies were selected to join the list for 2015. Reading the list, I saw a movie that stuck out to me, The Shawshank Redemption.

For those who don’t know the movie, the film is about Andy Dufresne who is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two life sentences in a prison that is far from pleasant. Knowing he didn’t commit this murder, he starts to makes a best friend named Red, help the warden, and experience the harsh reality behind those steel bars. In what seems an everlasting nineteen years he makes a break for freedom, leaving behind nothing but an empty hole in the wall. After his escape his best friend joins, and they continue to live in boundless freedom.

In the OHS film study class we viewed this film, and I completely fell in love with it. Asking another fan’s opinion and Oakdale’s own film and drama teacher, Michael Copen, expressed his opinion on why it took so long for the film to make it on the list.

Copen responded with,“However, I think the board finally caught up to society on this particular film.  It’s a film that speaks to the heart. That type of a film can take awhile for critics to catch up to society.  I think most people LOVE this film because it restores hope and it allows us to forgive.”

Asking his opinion on the board itself Copen replied, “I think the preservation board is a fantastic way for our society to speak to future societies of people. It’s a virtual time capsule about the way we saw the world, each other, and our problems.”

Agreeing 100% with Copen’s response, the National Film Preservation Board stands as a time capsule for future generations to understand how we acted and how each generation was portrayed. This film is no way an innovation for its time and did not make any incredible statement. Mainly attacking you with emotion, it leaves you with an amazing smile on your face and a tear drop running down your face.

“Get busy living, or get busy dying”-Andy Dufresne,The Shawshank Redemption
Picture: “How Long Andy’s Tunnel Was In Shaw Shank Redemption.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.

PictureLink:(http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/this-is-how-long-andy-s-tunnel-was-in-the-shawshank-redemption-a6874701.html )

Congress, Library Of. “Complete National Film Registry.” The Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.

McKnight, Brent. “The 25 Films The National Film Registry Has Chosen To Preserve For 2015.” – CINEMABLEND. N.p., 16 Dec. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.