Notably, in the unforgettable film, Red’s heritage is subtly referenced. Andy (Tim Robbins) inquires about Red’s nickname, unschooled in the fact that Red’s last name is Redding. Red (Morgan Freeman), responds with a dash of sarcasm and a smile “Maybe it’s because I’m Irish.” In “The Shawshank Redemption,” Freeman delivers his lines with his signature majestic, resonant voice, without attempting an Irish accent.
Freeman’s initial perusal of Frank Darabont’s screenplay for “The Shawshank Redemption” filled him with admiration for the work. Curiosity led him to the source material, Stephen King’s novella, where he discovered Red’s Irish roots, which elicited a shocked reaction from him.
“[S]omeone sent me the novella. And I read the first page and Red was this Irishman. So I closed the book. I never read another line. I was like, ‘I can’t play an Irishman!’ […] I didn’t play an Irishman.”
Darabont appeared indifferent to the characterization in King’s novella and pursued Freeman for the role after being urged by producer Liz Glotzer. The quip “Maybe it’s because I’m Irish” became not just Freeman’s sarcastic humor but also a nod to the character’s heritage from the novella. As explained in a 1994 EW interview, Freeman didn’t engage in traditional actor’s research for this part, for he didn’t feel the need to visit prisons to understand the character’s psyche. “Acting the part of someone who’s incarcerated doesn’t require any specific knowledge of incarceration,” Freeman explained, “Because men don’t change. Once you’re in that situation, you just toe whatever line you have to toe.”
An interesting tidbit: the photos featured in Red’s prison file as his younger self were actually pictures of Morgan Freeman’s real-life son, Alfonso Freeman.
FAQ about Morgan Freeman and His Role in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’
- Was Morgan Freeman’s character Red meant to be Irish in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’?
Yes, in the original novella by Stephen King, the character Red was Irish, which is subtly hinted at in the film. - Did Morgan Freeman use an Irish accent in the film?
No, Freeman used his own voice in the movie, not attempting to mimic an Irish accent. - Why was Freeman’s character still called Red if his Irishness wasn’t portrayed?
The film maintained the nickname as part of the character’s identity, and it’s used for a tongue-in-cheek reference to his Irish background as depicted in the novella. - Did Freeman read the whole novella ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption’?
No, he stopped reading upon discovering the character’s Irish background, fearing he could not portray an Irishman. - How did Morgan Freeman prepare for the role of Red?
Freeman did not prepare in the conventional sense; he did not feel the need to research prisons or incarcerated life to portray the character of Red.
Conclusion
Morgan Freeman’s portrayal of Red in “The Shawshank Redemption” remains a milestone in his career, despite initial hesitations regarding how to approach a character that was profoundly different in the source material. His embodiment of Red without delving into the character’s Irish roots, and without specific research into the life of the incarcerated, shows the actor’s confidence in his craft and understanding of human nature. The timeless performance earned him an Oscar nomination and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Morgan Freeman proves that sometimes, an actor’s instinct and approach to a role can transcend the expectations set by the original narrative.