Cast
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Tom Hanks
as Paul Edgecomb
David Morse
as Brutus 'Brutal' Howell
Bonnie Hunt
as Jan Edgecomb
Michael Clarke Duncan
as John Coffey
James Cromwell
as Warden Hal Moores
Michael Jeter
as Eduard Delacroix
Graham Greene
as Arlen Bitterbuck
Doug Hutchison
as Percy Wetmore
Sam Rockwell
as 'Wild Bill' Wharton
Barry Pepper
as Dean Stanton
Jeffrey DeMunn
as Harry Terwilliger
Patricia Clarkson
as Melinda Moores
Harry Dean Stanton
as Toot-Toot
Dabbs Greer
as Old Paul Edgecomb
Eve Brent
as Elaine Connelly
Crew
Director
- Frank Darabont
Producer
- David Valdes
- Frank Darabont
Reviews
Wuchak
**_A Masterpiece of Cinematic Art -- Captivating and Reverent_**
The head Death Row guard at a Tennessee prison during the Depression (Tom Hanks) observes a new inmate, a black man named John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), who is condemned to death for the rape and murder of two little girls. He and his fellow guards become intrigued by the gentle giant and conclude that there's no way he could be guilty of the crime. Who, then, is guilty? And will the guilty party get away with it.
"The Green Mile" expertly mixes film genres: It's part prison flick, part supernatural mystery and part drama. It was adapted from Stephen King's novel by director/writer Frank Darabont and released in 1999. If you're not an admirer of Stephen King books/films (I'm not), DON'T let that deter you from viewing this beautiful and spiritually-profound film; it's by no means a typical horror story, although it does have a couple of horrific scenes.
Running 3-hours, it's over my limited attention span, and yet it's somehow utterly engrossing, even on repeat viewings. It's character/dialogue driven, unique and unpredictable. Don't mistake this for a run-of-the-mill prison flick. The fact that it largely takes place in a prison in the 1930s is a secondary issue. This is a powerful supernatural mystery/drama.
**SPOILER ALERT** (Don't read this next paragraph unless you want to consider possibilities about the character John Coffey)
John Coffey's last name is, evidently, derived from an ancient Sumerian word, kophi, which means "winged creature." Hence, John could be viewed as a angel or messenger from the Almighty. Actually, John is a type of Jesus Christ verified in six ways: (1) His initials are JC. (2) He's good-hearted and can easily recognize true evil. (3) He miraculously heals people. (4) He pronounces and executes divine judgment. (5) He is sacrificed even though completely innocent. And (6) He offers eternal life (in a sense), as evidenced by the extended life-span of the Hanks character and the mouse "Mr. Jingles."
**End SPOILER ALERT**
Don't miss out on this cinematic masterpiece.
Apr 8, 2024
CinemaSerf
"Edgecomb" (Tom Hanks) is in charge of the prison officers who tend to the inmates on death row. He's a decent man who, with the help of his partner "Howell" (David Morse) tries to carry out his task as humanely as possible. Their team also numbers the truly odious "Percy" (Doug Hutchinson). He's an incompetent coward, but he also happens to be the nephew of the state governor, so tends to get away with his obnoxiousness towards the prisoners. That nasty behaviour becomes more pronounced when the giant "Coffey" (Michael Clarke Duncan) arrives. Also newly arrived is a small mouse which befriends, much to the chagrin of "Percy", a fellow inmate (Harry Dean Stanton) and oddly enough it seems to help keep the peace as people come and go. Things take quite an intriguing turn when some physical contact between their gentle giant and "Edgecomb" seems to cure his liver complaint. As the officer realises that this man may well possess healing hands, he and his team begins to bond with him. Meantime, the ghastly little "Percy" screws up his first execution causing an effect straight out of a Wes Craven film and Sam Rockwell's psychopathic "Wild Bill" arrives to liven things up. It's actually Rockwell who steal this for me. His performance is viscerally effective and he really does commit to the role. It's over 3 hours long but the acting is almost perfect as these characters develop and the story unfolds reconciling the brutality of racism, crime and punishment with the attempts at humanity and decency applied by virtually everyone whose lives are touched by these scenarios - even amongst the staff who struggle at times to keep their own priorities in kilter. One of Stephen King's much better stories with depth to the personas, a good baddie to loathe and a message of redemption delivered subtly but powerfully.
Apr 29, 2024
sirdorius
Great acting by everyone involved, but the story is just not my cup of tea. If you like fake miracles (no shortage of people that do) and fantasy storylines, like prison guards that are humane and empathic (on death row nonetheless), then you might enjoy this more. I, however, will stick to more realistic fantasy, like mages fighting orcs and that sort of thing, and leave this in the trash pile of conservative media.
Feb 4, 2025
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Green Mile examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Frank Darabont brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Green Mile took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $60.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 189 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 234 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 100 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1999, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Green Mile shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Cut Off, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Green Mile subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Hazel's People and The Policeman's Lineage explore similar territory, The Green Mile stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 10, 1999
- Runtime: 3h 9m
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Revenue: $286,801,374
