Allen Greene was a literary agent, 3-time Academy Award-nominated director, Frank Darabont’s, agent, and personal friend. Unfortunately, he died from AIDS complications just before the release of The Shawshank Redemption. This is the reason why he adds his memory at the end of the movie.
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As Frank Darabont explained, Allen Greene noticed Frank when he was a set dresser on low-budget movies but wanted to be a writer, and in the 80s it was difficult to get an agent to believe in you. However, when Frank met Allen, he found a friend and an ally. Frank wanted to acknowledge Allen Greene’s significance to his career as well as his love for a dear friend.
The Untold Truth of the Shawshank Redemption
Following a successful release in the 1990s, The Shawshank Redemption has gone on to become one of the most beloved and acclaimed movies ever made. It is listed top 250 movies of all time on IMDb. Performances from Tim Robbins, new inmate Andy Dufresne, and Morgan Freeman, the movie is a drama set in the Shawshank prison. The film is about the impossibility of caging the human spirit and hope.
Stephen King’s Novel “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” is what the movie is based on. Frank Darabont also happens to have a great relationship with Stephen King. Even though other filmmakers have turned King’s stories into horror movies, Stephen King has not always been a fan of these versions. However, when Frank Darabont approached him asking to produce his novel, King sold the rights for only $1,000 which he never cashed out but framed the check and gave back to Darabont as a gift.
The Shawshank Redemption almost directed by Rob Reiner
The screenplay was sent to Castle Rock Entertainment by Darabont after he was done writing the script. Rob Reiner wanted to direct the film and even offered Darabont $3 million just to sell the screenplay and also finance any film of his choice. Frank Darabont refused to sell the screenplay to direct the film and he seemed to have made the right choice because Shawshank became the greatest movie ever made.
Nelson Mandela was a Huge Fan
Since Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman had both won Oscars for other movies, fans still only want to chat about Shawshank. Freeman once explained that whenever they go around the world, people say that the movie changed their lives, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of South Africa, the Late Nelson Mandela.
At the end of The Shawshank Redemption, after Andy and Red reunite, and there is a wave of emotion, there is still one last moving moment. There is a dedication to Allen Greene. Many people did not know who this is but the director Frank Darabont explains that Allen Greene was his first agent who set the trajectory of his career and he was forever grateful to the man.
