Shawshank, prison: where is it?

As you know, the world of the film industry is not always a sham and decor. Film directors often strive for maximum realism, and instead of forged requisite diamonds, they put stones on the actors that cost millions, and school or palace scenes are shot in real schools and palaces.

So, in some episodes of Star Wars, the role of the residence of Amidala was performed by the royal palace of the Bourbon dynasty, and in the Hunger Games President Snow was placed in a real architectural monument called the Swan House. Was not an exception and the cult film "Escape from Shoutshenka."

"Escape from Shawshank" - a summary

To begin with, we'll refresh the memory of the events that took place in the movie masterpiece, based on the story of Stephen King. To date, this tape is recognized as one of the most powerful and famous film stories about escaping from prison. The main character is banker Andy Dufrain, who, as a result of some circumstances, found himself in Shoushenk prison.

Prison meets the hero very inhospitable. Here, Andy has to face the horrors of imprisonment - cruelty and moral humiliation. Thanks to a sophisticated mind, Tim Robbins' hero manages to come out of difficult situations with honor. Throughout the time of imprisonment in Shoushank, he is preparing a clever escape plan, which ultimately succeeds.

It is noteworthy that in the cinema there are many films about escaping from prison. Regardless of whether they came out earlier or later than the picture described, they are inevitably compared to Andy Dufrein's story. And they always seem a little less sophisticated and interesting. Perhaps this is due to a certain degree of certainty, which is present in the film? After all, the "Escape from Shawshank" was filmed in a real prisoner's place of imprisonment! So what is Shawshank?

Is there really a prison?

Little is known that the prototype of the institution called Shoushenk is a prison in Mansfield, Ohio. It was she who "shot" in the film about Andy Dufrein and his impudent escape. After its "role", the real prison became famous, and a kind of pilgrimage of tourists began.

It is noteworthy that even before the shooting of the movie masterpiece in the Mansfield prison, TV directors and directors often visited. Several telecasts, films and video clips were shot in the building, but it was not recognized until after Frank Darabont's film was called Shaushenk.

Prison - history and sad facts

The exact date of construction of the building, which housed the Ohio State Prison, is currently unknown. Historians disagree, and different dates are mentioned - from 1886 to 1910. The building is attributed to the German castle architecture. The names of the architects are immortalized on the first laid stone of the prison - they were some Scofield and Schnitzer.

After the construction of the building was completed, the prison began to receive prisoners. The correctional institution operated until 1990. For the period of its work, the prison buried about 200 people, including guards and guards. Prisoners often died from infections, tuberculosis, and influenza.

The most tragic event that occurred in Mansfield prison is the 1948 escape. This escape is in no way connected with the events of the Shoushenk movie. Prison in that fateful year lost one of the guards - he was killed in his own house by two escaped criminals. Along the way, the attackers also dealt with his family - his wife and 20-year-old daughter. The bodies of all three were found in cornfields a little later. As for the criminals themselves, they were executed in an electric chair two days after the escape.

By the end of the 1970s, the lists of prisoners in the Mansfield prison numbered more than 2,000. But the correctional institution was sued in court, which contained charges of inhuman conditions of detention of convicts. Nevertheless, after the trial, the place of imprisonment lasted about 10 years. In 1990, the Mansfield prison ended its activities and ceased to exist. But not a building - it started a magnet to attract fans to tickle their nerves, especially after filming the cult "Shawshank's Escape".

Restoration

Little is known that for the filming of the film for the restoration of the building it was necessary to spend a round sum. Too bad was a prison.

Today, the complex of facilities of the Mansfield institution has undergone serious modifications. Looking at him, it is already hard to believe that once it was a terrible Shoushenk - prison. Photos found on the web, this is confirmed.

From the old institution there were only facades. Fence, other prison buildings, production facilities and outbuildings demolished. This was for the reason that only the facades of the main building represent a real historical value.

In the film, all these buildings can still be seen. The buildings of red brick in the prison now also exist only on film.

Filmography

Shoushenk is a prison with a decent record of cinematography. Before filming a cult film about the prisoner's escape, Mansfield filmed several films and TV shows about paranormal phenomena. A list of feature films filmed in Ohio State Prison:

• "Tango and Cash";
• "President airplane";
• "Harry and Walter go to New York."

Mansfield Prison today

Since 1995, right after filming the film about Andy Dufrein's escape, a special prison security society was created. Apparently, the initiators and founders of the creation of society are local activists. Nevertheless, after the foundation of the organization, the prison acquired the status of a museum. For tourist walks, the prison security society collects a fee, which later goes to support the building.

Shoushenk is a prison where there are a lot of ghosts. This also fuels interest in the building. Since 2014, it is customary to arrange excursions to a gloomy castle on an ongoing basis. Curious tourists are willing to pay for the tickling nerves of an impression, and the prison just needs funds for restoration.

By analogy with Menfield prison, in the world there are still a few abandoned places of conclusions, which attract entourage to film directors. But Shoushenk is among them the most memorable.