History Heartwarming / TheShawshankRedemption

* Tommy's UndyingLoyalty towards Andy. When Norton question him on Andy's innocence, Tommy repeatedly states that he would be willing to stand before a judge and swear on the Bible if it meant Andy could walk out of court a free man.
Unfortunately Norton murders him in response, as he figures he cannot allow Andy to walk free - ever.

* Tommy's UndyingLoyalty towards Andy. When Norton question him on Andy's innocence, Tommy repeatedly states that he would be willing to stand before a judge and swear on the Bible if it meant Andy could walk out of court a free man. Norton murders him in response, as he figures he cannot allow Andy to walk free - ever.

* You notice how the other guards in the prison, while they get along with/work for Hadley and Norton, are [[PunchClockVillain nothing like either men]] and only do what they need to do to keep the order (evidenced how when Andy played his record, the guard banged on the door and politely begged him to let him back in, which can almost look like he was trying to protect him from Hadley and when he was in solitary confinement, another came by and told him that Tommy passed his exams). Also, once Hadley was arrested and Norton committed suicide, the whole atmosphere of the prison was a lot less miserable, even with a scene where the prisoners all laughing loudly at a story/joke and no one ordering them to keep it down or shut up.

** You can also see the change in environment after Norton and Hadley are removed. Instead of huddling over their meals and whispering, the prisoners are leaning back in their seats and laughing loudly, and when Red gets his parole, he shares a nod and a smile with the guards as they escort him through the gates.

* The scene at the end when Red finds the package Andy left for him. After a whole movie of having believed that hope was "a dangerous thing", Andy has proven him wrong and has now given him something to hope for as well. The real CMOH of this scene, however, is sealed with the closing portion of the letter:

* After returning from his solitary confinement stay due to the loudspeaker incident, Andy is playfully teased by Heywood, who says he would have preferred if he played "something good", like Music/HankWilliams, to which he apologizes by saying they stopped him before he could take requests. Then, many years later, after having substantially improved the library, Andy finally manages to fulfill Heywood's request by amassing a substantial collection of Hank Williams' records.

** Note on the fateful morning, the guards doing roll call know both Andy's cell number and call him out by name. They know him as a person and not a prisoner or a number. Further, they yell with annoyance not hate or with threat of violence or insults ("Dufresne, you're putting me behind!").

** Contrast this with the book, which just ends with the hope, not overlaid with seeing Red find Andy. The story was one section of "Different Seasons" by Stephen King, representing Spring ("hope springs eternal"). This troper finds the hope more inspiring than seeing the happy ending laid out.

* Tommy's UndyingLoyalty towards Andy. When Norton question him on Andy's innocence, Tommy repeatedly states that he would be willing to stand before a judge and swear on the Bible if it meant Andy could walk out of court a free man. [[spoiler: Norton murders him in response, as he figures he cannot allow Andy to walk free - ever.]]

* You notice how the other guards in the prison, while they get along with/work for Hadley and Norton, are [[PunchClockVillain nothing like either men]] and only do what they need to do to keep the order (evidenced how when Andy played his record, the guard banged on the door and politely begged him to let him back in, which can almost look like he was trying to protect him from Hadley and when he was in solitary confinement, another came by and told him that [[spoiler: Tommy passed his exams)]]. Also, once [[spoiler: Hadley was arrested and Norton committed suicide,]] the whole atmosphere of the prison was a lot less miserable, even with a scene where the prisoners all laughing loudly at a story/joke and no one ordering them to keep it down or shut up.

* A small one at the Red's parole hearing in 1967. The previous parole board had treated him with contempt. This time, he is ''asked'' to sit down. And parole board lets him go after he sincerely explains the problems he has caused himself.

* You notice how the other guards in the prison, while they get along with/work for Hadley and Norton, are [[TokenEvilTeammate nothing like either men]] and only do what they need to do to keep the order (evidenced how when Andy played his record, the guard banged on the door and politely begged him to let him back in, which can almost look like he was trying to protect him from Hadley and when he was in solitary confinement, another came by and told him that [[spoiler: Tommy passed his exams)]]. Also, once [[spoiler: Hadley was arrested and Norton committed suicide,]] the whole atmosphere of the prison was a lot less miserable, even with a scene where the prisoners all laughing loudly at a story/joke and no one ordering them to keep it down or shut up.

* Heywood, seeing Dufresne sit alone during the beer drinking scene, walks up to him and offers him a bottle. Dufresne, having [[RecoveredAddict quit drinking]], politely rejects it.