Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two life sentences for a double homicide he claims he is innocent of. In prison, he befriends smuggler Red (Morgan Freeman) and finds a way to be of use to the sadistic warden, thus ensuring his own safety. But only for a while. Andy will still need a lot of hope to get through prison life. Fortunately, he has that. That and a plan to escape.

Based on a novel by Stephen King.