WHEN A TIMID BANKER IS CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER, HE'S SENT TO SHAWSHANK PRISON. THE CONVICTS BET HE WON'T LAST THE FIRST NIGHT. HE BEFRIENDS THE CONVICTS' LEADER, RED, AND TURNS HOPE AND FRIENDSHIP INTO AN UPLIFTING BOND NO PRISON CAN DESTROY.