The Green Mile (film)

The Green Mile (film)
Name	The Green Mile
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Frank Darabont
Producer	Frank Darabont, David Valdes
Screenplay	Frank Darabont
Based on	The Green Mile, Stephen King
Starring	Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn, Patricia Clarkson, Harry Dean Stanton
Music	Thomas Newman
Cinematography	David Tattersall
Editing	Richard Francis-Bruce
Studio	Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions
Distributor	Warner Bros.
Released	1999, 12, 10
Runtime	189 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$60 million
Gross	$286.8 million

The Green Mile (film). Directed by Frank Darabont and based on the Stephen King serial novel, this 1999 American fantasy film is set in 1935 at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary. The narrative follows head guard Paul Edgecomb as he encounters John Coffey, an enigmatic death row inmate with miraculous healing powers, leading to profound moral dilemmas. The film explores themes of justice, faith, and humanity against the backdrop of the Great Depression in the American South.

Plot

In 1999, an elderly Paul Edgecomb recounts his experiences in 1935 as the head guard of the death row block, nicknamed "The Green Mile," at Cold Mountain Penitentiary in Louisiana. His life is disrupted by the arrival of John Coffey, a gentle giant convicted of murdering two young girls. Coffey displays supernatural abilities, including healing Paul Edgecomb's severe urinary infection and resurrecting a pet mouse named Mr. Jingles belonging to inmate Eduard Delacroix. The guards, including Brutus Howell and Dean Stanton, also witness Coffey cure the warden's wife, Melinda Moores, of a brain tumor. Meanwhile, the block houses other inmates like the psychotic William Wharton and the repentant Arlen Bitterbuck. As Paul Edgecomb and his team, including the cruel Percy Wetmore, grapple with these events, they uncover the true perpetrator of the girls' murders, leading to a climactic and tragic execution.

Cast

* Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, the compassionate head guard. * Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, the convicted inmate with divine gifts. * David Morse as Brutus Howell, the loyal senior guard. * Bonnie Hunt as Jan Edgecomb, Paul's supportive wife. * James Cromwell as Hal Moores, the prison warden. * Michael Jeter as Eduard Delacroix, a condemned inmate. * Graham Greene as Arlen Bitterbuck, a Native American prisoner. * Doug Hutchison as Percy Wetmore, a sadistic and privileged guard. * Sam Rockwell as William Wharton, a violent and unstable prisoner. * Barry Pepper as Dean Stanton, another guard on the Mile. * Jeffrey DeMunn as the prosecuting attorney in flashbacks. * Patricia Clarkson as Melinda Moores, the warden's wife. * Harry Dean Stanton as Toot-Toot, an elderly prison trustee.

Production

Frank Darabont wrote the screenplay, securing the film rights from Stephen King after their successful collaboration on The Shawshank Redemption. Principal photography began in 1998, with sets constructed at Warner Hollywood Studios and the Tennessee State Prison standing in for Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Cinematographer David Tattersall and composer Thomas Newman helped create the film's period atmosphere and emotional score. The casting of Michael Clarke Duncan, recommended by Bruce Willis, was pivotal; his performance alongside Tom Hanks formed the film's emotional core. Frank Darabont insisted on a lengthy runtime to faithfully adapt the novel's episodic structure.

Themes

The film delves into complex themes of capital punishment, empathy, and the nature of good and evil. The setting of the death row block becomes a microcosm for examining institutional cruelty, as seen through the actions of Percy Wetmore versus the compassion of Paul Edgecomb. The supernatural elements embodied by John Coffey serve as a catalyst for exploring Christian allegory, sacrifice, and miraculous intervention. Themes of redemption are portrayed through characters like Eduard Delacroix and the enduring guilt of Paul Edgecomb. The narrative also critiques systemic injustice and racial prejudice in the Jim Crow era, while the frame story ponders the burdens of longevity and memory.

Release and reception

Warner Bros. released the film in North America on December 10, 1999. It was a major commercial success, grossing over $286 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. Critical reception was largely positive, with praise directed at Frank Darabont's direction, the screenplay, and the performances of Tom Hanks and particularly Michael Clarke Duncan. Some reviewers, however, critiqued its length and sentimentality. The film solidified Frank Darabont's reputation for adapting Stephen King's prison stories and has maintained a strong following, often discussed alongside The Shawshank Redemption.

Accolades

The film received four nominations at the 72nd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Michael Clarke Duncan, Best Adapted Screenplay for Frank Darabont, and Best Sound. Michael Clarke Duncan also earned nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The film won the Saturn Award for Best Action or Adventure Film and the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor. Its screenplay was honored by the Writers Guild of America.

Category:1999 films Category:American films Category:English-language films