Genre:
Drama, Fantasy
Release Date:
December 6, 1999
Duration:
189 minutes
Plot:
USA, 1930s during the Great Depression Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) works as a prison guard. Poverty and hunger forced many people to become thieves. But Paul Edgecomb does not face such prisoners in his everyday life. He is the head guard on death row, the Green Mile. Most of his co-workers are great lads like himself. I say most of them, because there is also Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison), a perverse homunculus.
John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is the new arrival at the Green Mile, awaiting his execution by electric chair. At first glance he looks like a gigantic, menacing guy. He is charged for murdering two young girls. But how can a guy like him be afraid of the dark? And what does he mean, when he says to Paul “I tried to take it back boss, but it was too late”?
Shortly afterwards ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton (Sam Rockwell) comes to Green Mile. He was sentenced to death for armed robbery and murders, but this is only one of the many crimes he has committed. And he is the only inmate in Green Mile who does not feel sorry for his acts.
Our impressions and movie review:
Frank Darabont directs skillfully and he is responsible for the movie adaptation of the book Green Mile by Stephen King. The casting is great, yet Darabont with his rare talent manages to push all the actors over their limits and to get the best performance of their career.
Tom Hanks as prison guard and Michael Clarke Duncan as the gigantic inmate stand out with their excellent performances. David Morse deserves to stand next to them with his stern seriousness. The amazing James Cromwell is the Warden and Graham Greene and Michael Jeter play inspiringly the role of two prisoners awaiting execution. Sam Rockwell gives one of the best performances in his career as Wild Bill Wharton and Doug Hutchison is as annoying as he has to be for his part.
The movie Green Mile is one of the best movie adaptations of Stephen King’s books. Don’t let the 3 hour length scare you away, each and every minute of this movie is worthy!
Movie Quote from Green Mile
John Coffey: Boss. Saw me a mouse go by.
Paul Edgecomb: Can’t put anything over on you.
Movie Quote from Green Mile
Paul Edgecomb: On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I kill one of his true miracles, what am I gonna say? That it was my job? My job?
John Coffey: You tell God the Father it was a kindness you done. I know you hurtin’ and worryin’, I can feel it on you, but you oughta quit on it now. Because I want it over and done. I do. I’m tired, boss. Tired of bein’ on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we’s coming from or going to, or why. Mostly I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There’s too much of it. It’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?
Paul Edgecomb: Yes, John. I think I can.
Green Mile – Trailer (Greek subs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tSU_2VPiWw
Credits:
Writers:
Frank Darabont, Stephen King
Director:
Frank Darabont
Cast:
Tom Hanks – Paul Edgecomb
David Morse – Brutus ‘Brutal’ Howell
Michael Clarke Duncan – John Coffey
Bonnie Hunt – Jan Edgecomb
James Cromwell – Warden Hal Moores
Michael Jeter – Eduard Delacroix
Graham Greene – Arlen Bitterbuck
Doug Hutchison – Percy Wetmore
Sam Rockwell – ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton
Barry Pepper – Dean Stanton
Jeffrey DeMunn – Harry Terwilliger
Patricia Clarkson – Melinda Moores
Harry Dean Stanton – Toot-Toot
Dabbs Greer – Old Paul Edgecomb
Eve Brent – Elaine Connelly
William Sadler – Klaus Detterick
Paula Malcomson – Marjorie Detterick
Brian Libby – Sheriff McGee
Brent Briscoe – Bill Dodge
Gary Sinise – Burt Hammersmith
Scotty Leavenworth – Hammersmith’s son
Rebecca Klingler – Wife at Del’s Execution
Gary Imhoff – Husband at Del’s Execution
Van Epperson – police officer
A.A.