The Shawshank Redemption · written by Frank Darabont · 1994

Norton dismisses Tommy’s story and refuses to reopen Andy’s case.

Scene 157 of 249 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Norton
Andy

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:20 into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 157

After a banker is wrongly imprisoned for murder, he uses patience, expertise, and friendship to survive Shawshank and build a path to freedom.

Scenes 1–8
Andy’s former life and conviction frame a banker whose apparent control has vanished.
Scenes 9–10
Inside prison, Andy needs a way to survive without surrendering the inner self he is trying to protect.
Scenes 11–30
Andy enters Shawshank and confronts its violence, hierarchy, and rules.
Scenes 31–154
He adapts through Red’s help, builds the library, and slowly earns trust while preparing for freedom.
Scenes 155–156
Tommy reveals that another inmate confessed to the murders, offering Andy a route to prove his innocence.
Just before
Scene 154
Tommy worries that he disappointed Andy; Red reassures him.
Scene 155
Tommy tells Andy and Red that his former cellmate Elmo Blatch confessed to killing Andy’s wife and her lover.
Scene 156
Andy walks away stunned by Tommy’s account of the confession.
Scene 157
This scene

157INT -- NORTON'S OFFICE -- DAY (1966)

NORTON

Well. I have to say, that's the

most amazing story I ever heard.

What amazes me most is you were

taken in by it.

ANDY

Sir?

NORTON

It's obvious this fellow Williams

is impressed with you. He hears

your tale of woe and quite

naturally wants to cheer you up.

He's young, not terribly bright.

Not surprising he didn't know what

a state he'd put you in.

ANDY

I think he's telling the truth.

NORTON

Let's say for a moment Blatch does

exist. You think he'd just fall to

his knees and cry, "Yes, I did it!

I confess! By all means, please add

a life term to my sentence!"

ANDY

It wouldn't matter. With Tommy's

testimony, I can get a new trial.

NORTON

That's assuming Blatch is even

still there. Chances are excellent

he'd be released by now. Excellent.

ANDY

They'd have his last known address.

Names of relatives...

(Norton shakes his head)

Well it's a chance. isn't it? How

can you be so obtuse?

NORTON

What? What did you call me?

ANDY

Obtuse! Is it deliberate? The

country club will have his old time

cards! W-2s with his name on them!

NORTON

(rises)

Dufresne, if you want to indulge

this fantasy, that's your business.

Don't make it mine. This meeting's

over.

ANDY

Look, if it's the squeeze, don't