MovieChat Forums > The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Discussion > How much time....

How much time....

posted 3 years ago by Naptown317Native (524)
6 replies | jump to latest

Do you think passed between Andy's escape and Reds parole?

On one hand, Reds dialogue about how the prisoners would tell stories about Andy indicate there were at least a few years. On the other hand, when he reunites with Andy, he has barely started working on the boat which makes it seem like he hasn't been there very long.

If I were to personally guess, five or six years seems about right. Andy would have to acclimate to his new environment, spend time laying low and getting comfortable in his new life, acquire a hotel, do whatever work needs done on it, and then he could focus on the boat to take his guests deep sea fishing.

What do you all think?

[–] strntz (12467) 3 years ago

The book may explain that, but in my mind, I'm thinking he was paroled about a year after Andy's escape - enough time for Red to miss his friend.

The boat scene was odd. The boat looks like it was just washed ashore. The next high tide would probably take it back out to sea. That scene should have been on a dock, even if it was a private dock.

[–] Naptown317Native (524) 3 years ago

Probably so. Admittedly, I have not read the book and am actually surprised I haven't at this point.

[–] CaptainCrozier (615) 3 years ago

A little over a year, maybe closer to two.

If you pay attention, Red is paroled after serving forty years of a life sentence, and it was only twenty years at the start of the film when Andy arrived. Andy escapes after nineteen years.

So Red is paroled only a year or so after Andy's escape, and then spends perhaps a few weeks or months on parole bagging groceries like Brooks before deciding to head to Mexico.

[–] howgamer (3938) 3 years ago

My thought was that it was at least a year or two.

[–] JohnGrant (101) 3 months ago

One year. Andy escaped in 1966 after serving 19 years and Red was paroled in 1967 after serving 40 years.

[–] PaladinNJ (21528) 3 months ago

Makes you wonder how he could get out so soon. Surely he would have been suspected as an accomplice in Andy's escape.