10 Movies That Actually Benefitted From Studio Interference

Another classic that requires little introduction. Frank Darabont’s epic decades-spanning prison drama sees Andy Dufresne wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his wife and lover. Experiencing horrific conditions, seedy exploitation and the possibility of dying behind bars, Dufresne makes a daring escape by tunnelling his way out of his cell over the course of many years.

This triumphant escape sequence – narrated by Morgan Freeman as prison bestie Red - is followed by a slow denouement as Red tries to adjust to normal life outside the walls of Shawshank.

Remembering a promise made to old Andy, Red embarks on the world's most idyllic treasure hunt, finding money and directions to a remote Mexican coastal town where his long lost friend might reside. Red hops on a bus to Mexico aaaand that’s where the movie was supposed to end.

Hoping to preserve some sense of ambiguity, Darabont’s original vision saw the film close on Freeman taking the bus south, a monologue stating “I hope I make it to the border. I hope I find my friend and shake his hand”. This ending firmly planted a giant question mark at the film's conclusion and - surprising no one - went down poorly with test audiences.

Based on this Castle Rock Entertainment compelled the director to tack on Red and Andy’s joyous reunion on a Mexican beach and although it seems rather implausible and overly saccharine when measured up to the film that preceded it, it nonetheless gives us the crowd-pleasing conclusion we all wanted deep down. Sometimes the good guys just need to win.