The Shawshank Redemption · written by Frank Darabont · 1994

Tommy shows his diploma to his wife and child but cannot explain the new hope it brings.

Scene 159 of 249 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:22 into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 159

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 156
Andy walks away stunned by Tommy’s account of the confession.
Scene 157
Norton dismisses Tommy’s story and refuses to reopen Andy’s case.
Scene 158
At mail call, Tommy apologizes to Red for letting Andy down; Red reassures him.
Scene 159
This scene

159INT -- VISITOR'S ROOM -- DAY (1966)

Tommy makes his way through the chaos, finds Beth and the baby waiting behind the thick plexi shield. He sits, doesn't pick up the phone. Just stares at Beth. She doesn't know what to make of it. He presses a piece of paper against the glass. A high school diploma. Her face lights up, blinking back tears.