Order this DVD from Amazon.com

Few movies have had the impact of "The Shawshank Redemption". When originally released in 1994, the movie didn't make much of a splash earning only $28 million during its original domestic run. Keep in mind though that the movie only played (at any one time) in a maximum of 972 theaters. Quietly the movie came and went, and it was only with its subsequent release on home video that the movie took off.

The movie has earned such acclaim, that at any given time it ranks either #2 or #3 on the all-time list, according to the Internet Movie Database. (It battles The Return of the King and falls just short of The Godfather.)

So, with the ten-year anniversary of the film, there was wide speculation the the film would be backed by a wide theatrical release celebrating this magnificent achievement in filmmaking. But like it's original release, the anniversary passed without a theatrical release and only a quiet release of this Two-Disc Special Edition.

However, this is not to say that this DVD package is not something to celebrate itself, for there are enough special features here to make this DVD worth adding to your DVD treasures.

Probably the best of these features is the audio commentary by director Frank Darabont. He readily admits this is his first ever commentary, but at the same time, he commands your attention. He weaves the story of the making of the film as well as he told the original story 10 years ago.

More extras include are two documentaries - the first being a making-of feature titled "Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Back at The Shawshank Redemption" and the second feature looking at the enormous impact the film has had titled "Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature". Both of these are well worth the viewing time.

Next, an interview with Darabont and actors Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman from "The Charlie Rose Show". This segment was shot earlier this year in anticipation of this DVD release. It's nice to see the people behind the phenomenon back together and hear them share their memories of the experience.

For comedy, we get a Shawshank spoof titled "The Sharktank Redemption". It's not the funniest, but its a nice send-up. Finally, the special features are concluded by a stills gallery, storyboards and the film's theatrical trailer.

While you may never get the opportunity to view this one one the big screen, this DVD is a worthy addition to your home entertainment library, and worthy of the title of one of the greatest films of the last several years.

Check out the official site.