When The Shawshank Redemption was introduced to the world in September 1994, it earned a reputation as one of the greatest films of all time thanks to its real-life depiction of incarcerated inmates. Directed by Frank Darabont, who also penned the screenplay, the film is based on the 1982 Stephen King book, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the film was a slow burn. Despite its $25 million budget, the film initially only earned $16 million upon its first release. However, the movie received critical acclaim, earning seven Oscar nominations and a second run in theaters, this time earning a staggering $73.3 million.

Tim Robbins beat out Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Kevin Costner for the lead role of Andy Dufresne, an inmate serving a life sentence at Shawshank State Penitentiary for murdering his wife and her lover. The gripping story of a man struggling to prove his innocence, while surviving horrid conditions is told with such authenticity that most people cannot help but ask “Is The Shawshank Redemption Based on a True Story?” Read ahead to discover the answer, though be warned, there are several spoilers throughout the article.

Andy’s life as a married banker comes to a halt after his murder conviction in 1947. Upon starting his life sentence, he befriends Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), another lifer who is also a professional contraband smuggler. Red takes Andy under his wing, helping him adjust to the prison. Despite Red’s leadership, Andy is still brutalized by both guards and prisoners. However, he finds solace in both the prison’s library and within a money-laundering scheme with the warden.