The Shawshank Redemption · written by Frank Darabont · 1994

Young guard Rory is lowered into Andy’s tunnel to search for him.

Scene 181 of 249 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

Norton
Haig
Hadley
Red

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:32 into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 181

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.
Scenes 157–166
Norton refuses to help and has Tommy killed, costing Andy the legal hope he had found.
Scene 176
The morning count reveals Andy is gone, confirming that the hidden plan worked.
Just before
Scene 178
Norton discovers that Andy’s dirty prison shoes are in the shoebox.
Scene 179
Norton orders a prison-wide search and has Red seized.
Scene 180
Norton berates the guards for failing to notice Andy’s disappearance.
Scene 181
This scene

181INT -- ANDY'S CELL -- DAY (1966)

Norton steps to the center of the room, working himself up into a fine rage:

NORTON

What do you mean "he just wasn't

here?" Don't say that to me, Haig!

Don't say that to me again!

HAIG

But sir! He wasn't! He isn't!

NORTON

I can see that, Haig! You think I'm

blind? Is that what you're saying?

Am I blind, Haig?

HAIG

No sir!

Norton grabs the clipboard and thrusts it at Hadley.

NORTON

What about you? You blind? Tell me

what this is!

HADLEY

Last night's count.

NORTON

You see Dufresne's name? I sure do!

Right there, see? "Dufresne." He

was in his cell at lights out!

Stands to reason he'd still be here

this morning! I want him found! Not

tomorrow, not after breakfast! Now!

Haig scurries out, gathering men. Norton spins to Red.

NORTON (CONT'D)

Well?

RED

Well what?

NORTON

I see you two all the time, you're

thick as thieves, you are! He

must'a said something!

RED

No sir, he didn't!

Norton spreads his arms evangelist-style, spins slowly around.

NORTON

Lord! It's a miracle! Man up and

vanished like a fart in the wind!

Nothin' left but some damn rocks on

the windowsill and that cupcake on

the wall! Let's ask her! Maybe she

knows! What say there, Fuzzy-

Britches? Feel like talking? Guess

not. Why should you be different?