Art Review #3/ Film Choice

Art Review #3/ Film Choice

Whitney Hale

Fine Arts 10503



Joseph Campbell first discussed the Mythic and Archetypal principles embedded in the structure of stories. Over many years, these steps of the “Journey” and the characters involved have been adopted into many movie storylines. I believe that these principles can be found in many movies, but I have chosen an excellent film to relate these characters and steps to. The Shawshank Redemption practically goes step by step and has very character archetype incorporated into its storyline.
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie about the integrity of Andy Dufresne, who also plays the Hero in this movie. Andy is an individual of integrity among a host of criminals in a state prison who have very little integrity. Andy goes through this story meeting friends and foes and finds the strength and determination to deal with both. One of the most vital people that Andy meets is Ellis “Red” Redding. Red, who fits the part of the Mentor, proves to be a remarkable companion for Andy.
The Threshold Guardian in The Shawshank Redemption is the poor inmate named Brooks Hatlen. Brooks’ parole gets approved but doesn’t want to leave the prison, so he threatens to kill another inmate in order to stay. Andy convinces him to let the other man go, and Brooks is released. Another important character is Tommy Williams, who plays the part of the Herald. Tommy is the boy who Andy helps get his G.E.D., but Tommy also gives Andy some important information. I believe that this information issues a challenge for Andy and announces some pretty significant events.
The Shapeshifter in this movie would have to be Captain Bryon Hadley. He misleads Andy by beating him up at the beginning, but as the story progresses, Hadley reaches out for Andy’s help. Warden Sam Norton plays the Shadow. Although Norton uses Andy for his expertise, he won’t ever allow him any extra ground. He wants to keep Andy right under his thumb. I believe the Trickster in this movie would have to be Bogs Diamond. He is the bully around the prison and leads the toughest gangs, the “Sisters”.
The Twelve Stages if the Journey that Andy’s passes through are some tough and unbearable situations. Andy’s “Ordinary World” would be when he was at home with his wife and living his life as a banker. But after the discovery of his wife with her lover, Andy begins on his “Call to Adventure”. I believe this stage happens when Andy was on trial for the murders of his wife and her lover. He was in the stage of “Refusal of the Call” when he tries to claim that he is innocent of the charges. In spite of the overwhelming evidence, Andy is sent to prison to serve two life sentences.
The “Meeting with the Mentor” takes place when Andy and Red meet, because of Andy’s need for some contraband. When Andy decides to help Captain Hadley and Warden Norton he has reached the stage of “Crossing the Threshold.” He has realized that by helping them, he would be able to devise a plan of escape. Just as in any other prison. Andy faces tests, encounters allies, and is confronted by enemies. The “Tests, Allies, Enemies” stage happens all throughout the movie when Andy runs across new people who either prove to be his friends or enemies.
Andy’s “Approach to the Inmost Cave” occurs when he starts working for the Warden and starts taking the necessary steps to reach his goal. The “Ordeal” takes place once Andy has officially committed to his escape. He leaves behind the certain things for the Warden to find and starts on his way out of the prison. Seemingly his “Reward” was his successful escape from the prison. Although he had to crawl 500 yards down the sewage pipe, he was successful in freeing himself from the prison.
The “Road Back” for Andy proved to be quite enjoyable. Because of the crooked work done by the Warden and the scheming that Andy had done, Andy was able to go the bank after his escape and receive $370,000 out of the Warden’s accounts. Andy’s “Resurrection” happened as he was able to move to Mexico with all the money and start living his life again. But when he was back in the prison, Andy had told Red that if he ever got out of prison to meet him in Mexico. So Andy’s “Return with the Elixir” would have to be at the end of the movie when Red comes walking down the Mexican beach to meet him. This would definitely Andy’s final reward.