Tranny won't shift out of Park
 

When i start up my car, applied my brake, it will not shift out of park. It was extremely stiff when I tried to force it out of park but I stopped trying since I did not want to bend the shift lever. I wonder if there is some kind of release mechanism. I don't have an owner's manual for the car. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreicated.

i think it will be very helpful for you, and us, if you tell us what year, make, model car we are dealing with!

It's a 96' E320

Is it by chance parked on a steep incline?

It was not parked on an inclined, it was leveled road.