“Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman turn in career-high performances as two men who forge a profound, lifelong bond while searching for humanity and moral decency against the backdrop of an American prison in director Frank Darabont‘s THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION.

Adapted from Stephen King‘s novella “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” the film tells the story of upstanding banker Andy Dufresne (Robbins), framed in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover. As Andy begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. Over the course of his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates — including an older prisoner named Red (Freeman) — for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

Considered something of a box-office “flop” upon its release in 1994, the film nevertheless garnered seven Oscar nominations (the most for any film adapted from Stephen King‘s canon), and has grown into its cult status, while being widely considered one of the top films of the 1990s.

Vancouver’s own Gil Bellows – who memorably appears in the film as Tommy – will be joining us in-person to introduce the film and for a post-show Q&A.

“In the lead roles, both Robbins and Freeman are outstanding, layering their performances with snippets of individuality: Their small, daily sustenances and minor triumphs are wonderfully inspiring.” (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Simply marvelous entertainment.” (Gene Siskel)

“If you don’t love SHAWSHANK, chances are you’re beyond redemption.” (Empire Magazine)

Friday, July 4
Doors 7:30 pm | Movie 8:00 pm*Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Single film tickets HERE

Want even more Bellows both on the big screen and LIVE on our stage? Then make it AN EVENING WITH GIL BELLOWS double billed with LOVE AND A .45 for one sweet price HERE!

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (Frank Darabont, 1994 / 142 mins / 18A) Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates — including an older prisoner named Red — for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.