Directors Cut

Not many people have seen the alternate cut to the film Shawshank Redemption. Frank Darabont, the director behind the films ‘Wingaling Prayer’ and ‘Dumpster’, had wanted ‘Shawshank’ to be an exploration on the toils that age and confinement can inflict upon the human body. Unfortunately Paramount, who funded the film, had other ideas and forced Darabont to make severe changes to his vision. Both Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman made appeals to the executive producers, but their minds were set.  

The Directors cut is almost entirely the same as the original, except for one key scene that was drastically cut from the cinematic release. The film starts with Andy Doofrane arriving at Shawshank penitentiary thinking about the court case that convicted him, as in the original. We are shown him getting used to prison, being buggered and making friends with Morgan Freeman’s character, ‘Red’, as with the theatrical realise.

Then comes the scene where Brooks, the sweet elderly librarian gets parole.  We are treated to the same sombre letter, narrated by Jamie Whitmore, as we see Brooks adjusting to life outside the prison walls. Then comes the bittersweet moment where we see him carve his name onto a beam in his bed room. A mid shot of his feet resting on a stool, then a step and Brooks feet swing, as he hangs him self.

This is where the director’s cut differs to the public release. The shot of his swinging feet last for five minuets, an uncomfortable length forcing the viewer to contemplate the death of Brooks. Then nature takes over, as the dying mans bowls collapse. A high pitch parp; hesitant at first but then growing in strength. A brief pause and then WOOOSH

A jet of shit shots down into the shot and brooks legs start to swing erratically. Heart wrenching music, as written by Thomas Oldman, starts as the camera slowly pulls back revealing the entire cadaver of poor Brooks being propelled around the room by a geyser of poo, the noose still around his neck. This shot lasts for half an hour.

Then the jet starts to splutter and subsides. Another silent five minuets pass.

Then SPLURUCHH

The fountain starts again but a hundred times stronger. Brook’s body is smashed into the walls and ceiling like a possessed piñata. The music’s starts again, louder and more heartfelt. Morgan Freeman then bursts into the room screaming “FRESH FISH! FRESH FISH!”. He dances the room screaming manically, wildly gesticulating a fishing rod mime.

Then, from being repeatedly smashed against the walls and ceiling, Brooks comes back to life. His confused face contorted with confusion, pain and excrement. With his bowls still rupturing he joins Morgan Freeman and starts to yell “FRESH FISH!” still violently swinging around the room. This scene lasts an hour. Brooks slowly dies and Morgan Freeman gets knocked unconscious by brooks flailing legs. Darabont again gives us another five minuets silence to contemplate the frailty of life.

Then KABOOOM!

Brooks bowls explode