Paul Edgecomb is a security guard, but he is a prison guard with a difference. He is a prison guard of imminent death - guarding men whose life would end unnaturally, and whose final steps would be taken down the iconic "Green Mile"
The scene is Cold Mountain Penitentiary, Louisiana and the time is during the Great Depression. Edgecomb was the head prison guard of death row that had been renamed the Green Mile due to the green floors in the wing.
Here Edgecomb and his team of competent and diligent prison guards watch over the men whose heinous crimes have caused them to be tried, convicted and sentenced to death.
One day a new inmate joins the "Green Mile" by the name of John Coffey, an incredibly tall, well built black man who has been convicted of savagely raping and murdering two little white girls.
Unintentionally, and surprising to Edgecomb himself, he and Coffey strike up a relationship which will have astounding consequences for all surrounding. Coffey does not strike everyone as a psychopathic murderer - he is gentle, humble and polite to all around. A gentle giant who asks for the lights to stay on as he is scared of the dark
His relationship with Coffey takes an amazing twist one day as Edgecomb is suffering from a terrible urine infection that leaves him in constant pain. But his unwillingness to see a doctor, as his wife advises, leaves him at work in terrible feverous pain. Coffey calls him to his cell, and he wills his body to go to him.
Whilst there he grabs the offending area, much to the shock and pain of Edgecomb.
By a miracle that Edgecomb witnesses first hand, Coffey banishes the crippling urine infection and expels it from him mouth in what looks like clouds of bugs.
This shocking event leaves Edgecomb so overwhelmed that he feels the need to find out more about Coffey and the crimes he was accused of. Once reading more and getting to know him personally as a man under his care, he becomes more and more convinced that John Coffey is an innocent man. He doesn't understand how a man with such exceptional healing powers and such gentleness could ever harm anyone.
All those who are in John Coffeys' presence are struck down with awe at the humility and feeling of awe surrounding the man. He reaches deep onto the hearts of people and strikes a chord that screams out for you to look deep into yourself and your actions.
His presence in Green Mile changes the lives of the men around him forever, and the knowledge that they have to send him to his death by their own hands is a fact that haunts them and reverberates through every bone in their body.
I don't want to spoil the story by telling you the rest, but I can tell you it is a simply amazing film that pulls every emotion from the bottom of your gut, and leaves your heart racing in your throat. It is set in the time of the Great Depression, which was a time where racial tension was high, and black men, particularly in the South were charged and sentenced for crimes that they did not commit. Within this film is the strong implication that he was charged with the crimes and sentenced to death mainly because he was a black man.
This was the second Prison story remake of a Stephen King novel, and it is as poignant and impacting as Shawshank Redemption was before it. It was directed by Frank Darabont, and boasts an all-star cast, including:
Tom Hanks performance in the film was exceptional. You could feel his anguish and pain and literally tap into his emotions at all times.
He brings any story to life, but when it's a fantastic story like this then he shines even more. He is supported by a fantastic David Morse who plays Brutus Howell, his close friend and fellow prison guard. His understated acting and his skill for telling a hundred words with a mere look, will no doubt charm even the hardest of hearts.
Special mention has to be given to Michael Clarke Duncan, who played John Coffey. I think played is the wrong word - he embraced John Coffey and became him with heart and soul. He brings gripping emotion to a unique, fascinating character. Each time I saw him on screen it pulled at my heartstrings and I cannot help but applaud him now, even after seeing it more times than I have changed dirty nappies!
The film itself spans over two DVDs - this was for quality and quality alone. The Producers and Directors did this to increase the bit-rate, and therefore improve the picture quality, so that viewers can appreciate a sharper picture.
Making this DVD a Special Edition
There are two hours of action packed, interesting special features within this two Disk Special Edition Box Set, including some great commentary from the Director Frank Darabont, explaining the film from his point of view, and showing why things were done a certain way - it's a great way of seeing how he turns a film into magic before your eyes.
Within this Special Edition box set we are also able to see additional scenes that were cut. They weren't cut for quality, but were simply cut as the film was 189 minutes long already. So it's great to be privileged enough to see other scenes that maybe explain a certain quirk of a character.
The Special Features are as followed:
Disc One DVD Features:
- Commentary by Writer/Director Frank Darabont
- Two Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Writer/Director Frank Darabont
As you can see, you so pay for a lot more than just the movie. Stephen King: Storyteller is great, delving in to the book behind the film and the inspirational Stephen King. Also Michael Clarke Duncan's screen test is a great behind-the-scenes peek showing you the real man behind the actors persona.
I bought this off Amazon recently for around about £7, and it was absolutely worth it. The story was great, the acting was flawless, and the Special Edition features were insightful and interesting to watch. I definitely recommend this to anyone to buy - put it aside as one of the iconic films that you must watch time and time again - yet never tire of.
A 5/5 from out house for this one!
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Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Dick Maas - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly, Denis Leary, Michael Chiklis, Francesca Brown
Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Great price especially for a 2 disc special edition. Good review with plenty of details.
Leigh36295 12.03.2008 21:18
I've watched parts of this lots of time. But I actually watched the movie the whole way through a few weeks ago when it was on TV. An excellent film and a excellent review.
Amy69 12.03.2008 15:46
Great review. We watched this in RME, it was quite enjoyable! Amy xx
Miracles happen in unexpected places even in the Death Row cell block at Cold Mountain ... more
Penitentiary. There John Coffey a gentle giant of a prisoner with supernatural powers brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates. To...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Miracles happen in unexpected places, even on death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. ... more
There John Coffey, a prisoner with supernatural powers, brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates. Tom Hanks leads a stellar cast (inclu...
Advantages: Excellent acting from all the cast, a product of true craftmanship Disadvantages: Some very distressing Electric-Chair scenes, the 3-hour running time.
EnglishPatient 22.01.2001 (01.03.2001)
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