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The Green Mile (1999)
Starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, and Sam Rockwell. Cinematography by Mark Irwin. Edited by Tod Feuerman and Terry Stokes. Produced by Jack H. Harris and Elliott Kastner. Written by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont. Directed by Chuck Russell.
Paul Edgecomb supervises the death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. One day a giant but equally gentle black man named John Coffey is brought in after being convicted of killing two young white girls. He is very quiet and respectful and after some time proves to have mysterious powers. He is able to clear up Paul’s urinary tract infection with a touch of his hand and he brings an inmate’s pet mouse back to life after it is maliciously stepped on. Paul and his fellow guards are soon convinced of his innocence, but there’s only so much they can do as the days until his execution quickly pass by.
One day Frank Darabont called his friend Stephen King to shoot the breeze and catch up on each other’s lives. King told Darabont that he was three volumes in to writing his new serial novel, The Green Mile. He gave Darabont a rundown on the synopsis and Darabont was so taken with the story he immediately asked King if he could have the movie rights. King said sure and that he would send him a copy of the first installment when it was ready. After reading just the first part in the six part series Darabont flew out to the set of the television mini-series version of The Shining to remind King of his promise (Darabont ended up being an extra in the film). King kept his word and together they created another absolutely incredible piece of film. Five years after producing the tremendous critical success The Shawshank Redemption, Frank Darabont went back to prison with Stephen King.
The Green Mile can be seen as a retelling of sorts of the Gospel in the Bible. John Coffey’s story has many similarities to that of Jesus. Coffey has been convicted of crimes that he did not commit. He has seemingly supernatural powers of healing. The prison guards soon become convinced of his innocence but have to stand by idly while the man is killed, much as Jesus’ apostles had to do. He even shares the initials J.C. This could be one of the reasons that The Green Mile struck such a chord with its audience. It celebrates life in a completely unexpected setting and is uplifting in a way that is astonishing considering its themes. The Green Mile is one of the few films that run over the three hour mark and truly deserve to do so. Every minute seems perfectly planned and nothing is wasted. It’s absolutely brilliant filmmaking.
Budget: $60,000,000
Total US Gross: $136,801,374
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 188 Minutes
US Release Date: 12/10/99
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Awards: Academy Awards: Nominated for best sound, best screenplay based from previous material, best supporting actor, and best picture. Golden Globes: Nominated for best actor in a supporting role. Directors Guild of America: Nominated for the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.
Tagline: Miracles Happen In The Most Unexpected Places.
Quote: “When I die and I stand before God awaiting judgment and he asks me why I let one of His miracles die, what am I gonna say, that it was my job?”
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