#23 The Green Mile

In Summary

The greatest prison-based Stephen King adaptation directed by Frank Darabont?

The Green Mile is largely set within the confines of a death row under the watch of the compassionate guard Paul Edgecomb - portrayed by Tom Hanks. Much of the film focuses on the dynamic between guards and prisoners knowing that the former will be the ones to set the latter to death.

The arrival of the gentle giant John Coffey breaks the cycle for Edgecomb and his guards. Coffey is unlike the other prisoners, he is tender, vulnerable, almost childlike. It raises the question of how someone like this could have been capable of the gruesome double murder he was convicted of.

The Green Mile ponders whether it is actions that makes someone good or bad or their intentions. It is further put into question when we are introduced to the psychopathic guard, Percy Whitmore, who is desperate to be the man who sends these prisoners to their death - very clearly a bad person, even if he hasn't acted upon his desires.

As the film develops we learn that Coffey has a strange gift, the ability to suck the disease out of living creatures. In this dank and hopeless setting, there is the possibility for a miracle level of good to happen. How is it fair that this man is to be put to his death?

This supernatural turn also serves to enliven a film that is captivating but lacks narrative drive for much of its opening hour. That is not to say that the opening hour of the film is not engaging, quite the opposite. The Green Mile is a film that is at its most engaging when exploring the dynamic between its characters.

A Memorable Quote

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?

Things You May Not Know

• It took just eight weeks for Frank Darabont to adapt the novel into a screenplay.
• Shaquille O'Neal was considered for the role of John Coffey, with Michael Clarke Duncan recommended by Bruce Willis after the two worked together on Armageddon.
• Tom Hanks chose this film as a favour to Frank Darabont after having to turn down the role of Andy DuFresne in The Shawshank Redemption in order to make Forrest Gump.

One of the Greatest of All Time?
The Green Mile is an immensely captivating film that carries its three-hour running time lightly. As mentioned above, the best parts of the film are when the narrative is at almost a standstill, this is due to excellent use of characters, acting and its intriguing, and weighty setting.

The supernatural element to The Green Mile is its weakest strand. This is a film that is fully capable of standing on its own two legs without the need for any mysticism or gimmicks.

The Green Mile is solemn, captivating and important. It is one of the great prison films.