Fanedit: Shawshank - The Duality Cut
Original: The Shawshank Redemption
Author: Daedal
Released: 2024
Spoilers ahead.
This edit takes the first half of The Shawshank Redemption and plays it out chronologically, up to Andy’s one month solitary confinement, whilst splicing in the second half of the film, mostly chronologically, in black and white throughout.
Very good A/V quality. Black and white scenes look good. Bitrate 12.5 mbps. Audio editing is mostly good, besides clashing scores at 07:50. Great and varied transitions, and audio editing, between scenes from the different timelines.
The new structure creates a lot more mystery as to who Andy is and why he’s in prison. The flow and pacing of the two storylines is good.
We go from Red narrating in the main timeline about “Andy kept to himself at first”, to Red’s narration in the later timeline about Andy escaping, and then back to Red continuing to narrate in the main timeline about Andy speaking after a month. Splitting Red’s main timeline narration like this here is confusing. Similar issue at 57:46.
The transition between “this place could’ve got the best of him” and Andy staring at the rope is an inspired one - although by this point we know that Andy isn’t thinking of committing suicide.
The misdirection of the viewer into thinking that Andy has killed himself for the first half an hour or so is a good choice. You find out that Andy has escaped, which lessens the tension of the first storyline; instead it’s replaced by curiosity as to how Andy got to the point of escaping. For first time viewers, this order is inferior, but a good alternate take for those who have already seen the original.
I like the choice to have Red leaving (b&w timeline) right after talking about being institutionalised (main timeline). It then cuts from “Brooks was here” (b&w) to Andy reading Brooks’ letter - excellent choice. Cutting out Brooks’ little subplot works for well for this edit, you get all the info you need from the way Daedal has structured these scenes.
The viewer is kept ignorant of why Andy is in prison and if he’s innocent up til the end, another good choice.
Personal preference: I think most or all of Red’s narration can go, at least for the black and white scenes. A lot of exposition that the audience doesn’t need to hear, and a lot of redundant info too. The narration also spoils that Andy is taking the Warden’s money and on the whole reduces the mystery around the b&w timeline.
The Warden saying “salvation lies within” and giving back the Bible could have led into the scene of the Warden opening that same Bible and reading that line.
Conclusion - this is a well executed alternate take of The Shawshank Redemption, and a good viewing for those who’ve seen it before. Daedal has strong editing ability and the edit is of professional quality.