25 Things You Didn't Know About The Shawshank Redemption

By Jack Pooley / July 18, 2023

11. The Prison Set Almost Burned Down Mid-Shooting

Though most of the movie was shot at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, Andy and Red's prison cell block was actually a purpose-built set created in a disused factory nearby.

In order to give the impression of sunlight, plastic sheeting was placed over the windows, allowing lamps to shine behind them and convincingly depict the elements.

However, while on a coffee break between takes, Darabont and extra Michael C. Poole noticed that one of the lamps had been placed too close to one of the windows, causing it to set aflame.

Had they not discovered this purely by chance, the set could very well have burned down or at least sustained major fire damage, putting production in jeopardy.