Morgan Freeman looks back at 'The Shawshank Redemption'

Hollywood icon Morgan Freeman has thanked people for making his box office flop, The Shawshank Redemption, a classic.

"It has been 26 years since #ShawshankRedemption came out in theaters and I'm still thankful to everyone who made our box office flop one of the most beloved movies of all time," he tweeted along with several stills of the film.

The actor also shared his favourite quote from the film, "I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope".

On release in 1994, Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption did not set the box-office afire, according to Midday. But today, the film has gained cult status, and is widely considered one of the best-made fiction features on the subject of prison break.

The film is also No 1 on IMDB's user list of the most popular films of all time, although it was a dud on release, earning just over $16 million in its initial run.

Its story is based on Stephen King's 1982 novella, Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption, and revolves around two prisoners – Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover, and Red (Morgan Freeman), who is serving out a life sentence. The two forge a lifelong friendship and become the center of the narrative.

The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor (for Freeman). It co-stars Gil Bellows, Clancy Brown, Bob Gunton, Paul McCrane, William Sadler, James Whitmore.

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