Product Details

• Actors: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell
• Directors: Frank Darabont
• Writers: Frank Darabont, Stephen King
• Producers: Frank Darabont, David Valdes
• Format: PAL
• Language: German (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Arabic, Bulgarian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Italian, Romanian
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Run Time: 189 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (651 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004U9Q8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,665 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Green Mile" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"The book was better" has been the complaint of many a reader since the invention of movies. Frank Darabont's second adaptation of a Stephen King prison drama (The Shawshank Redemption was the first) is a very faithful adaptation of King's serial novel. In the middle of the Depression, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) runs death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Into this dreary world walks a mammoth prisoner, John Coffey (Michael Duncan) who, very slowly, reveals a special gift that will change the men working and dying (in the electric chair, masterfully and grippingly staged) on the mile . As with King's book, Darabont takes plenty of time to show us Edgecomb's world before delving into John Coffey's mystery. With Darabont's superior storytelling abilities, his touch for perfect casting, and a leisurely 188-minute running time, his movie brings to life nearly every character and scene from the novel. Darabont even improves the novel's two endings, creating a more emotionally satisfying experience. The running time may try patience, but those who want a story, as opposed to quick-fix entertainment, will be rewarded by this finely tailored tale. --Doug Thomas

From The New Yorker

Is there such a thing as commercial pedantry? If there is, this movie embodies it. Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's 1996 serial novel is a three-hour-and-eight-minute religious allegory about a black convict (Michael Clarke Duncan), a white prison guard (Tom Hanks), and a mouse. The convict is meant to be Jesus Christ, and the mouse, which gets crushed and then reborn, is meant to represent survival-or perhaps Life Itself. Darabont lays out his meagre death-row story with lethal thoroughness, and the miracles arrive on schedule. The movie blinds itself with the grandiosity of its illusions. On the one hand, it preaches love; on the other, it tries to excite the audience with the convulsed body and flaming head of a man strapped into an electric chair. By the end, the sanctimonious hypocrisy is all but unbearable. -David Denby
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A testament to humanity and a fine story, October 12, 2000

By 

Linda Linguvic (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Green Mile (Collector's Edition) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Starring Tom Hanks as a death-row prison guard in 1935, and written by Stephen King, this is an example of story-telling at its finest. My most frequent criticism of films is that they tend to be overlong, but The Green Mile, at a three full hours, needed every precious second in order to pace the story, develop its characters, and lead the viewer into the satisfying conclusion.

Despite some gruesome scenes depicting the details of electric chair execution, the film is a testament to the humanity of people. The audience gets to experience the stress of the responsibility of prison guards seeking to bring a bit of dignity to the last days of the convicted men, and we share their moral dilemma when they are faced with hard choices.

Michael Clarke Duncan, cast as the simple and honest black man sentenced to die for supposedly killing two little girls, is absolutely superb and was nominated for an academy award for his outstanding performance. He's 43 years old, 6'5" tall and a former ditch digger and bodyguard. He has the rare quality to be able to show emotion in a way that makes the audience understand the complexities of his character.

Tom Hanks, of course, is excellent, giving us the kind of fine performance we have come to expect of him. And the rest of the cast, including Michael Jeter as the villain, and David Morse as a fellow prison guard are perfect. There is also a small cameo role for Gary Sinese as the Louisiana prosecutor who believes in the guilt of the supposed killer.

Directed by Frank Darabont who also shared the scripting of this film with Stephen King, every scene is constructed with just the right amount of tension to keep the viewer glued to the screen. There was not one wasted moment.

But by no means is this a simple "wrongly-accused killer" film. There's a slight suspension of reality well integrated into the story line. And constant thought-provoking questions that stay with you long after the video is over.

Unless you are the kind of person who absolutely can't bear some heart-wrenching brutal scenes, don't miss this video. I give it my highest rating.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Green Mile, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Green Mile (DVD)

I went to see this movie in the cinema a few months ago, not sure on what type of movie this was going to be but for the first 40 minutes it was a standard prison drama. Around now it takes an interesting twist and S Kings influence is obvious and from now on it takes you on a high low emotional ride which even for me left me and all of the rest of the people in the cinema silent at the end. Great movie, the best of Kings films yet!

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching drama about one life enlightening another, May 23, 2000

By 

"maelstrom1" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Green Mile (DVD)

I had heard that The Green Mile was a good movie, so I decided to go to the theater one night to see it. Even though the movie was long (over 3 hours) I was kept captivated and enjoyed it the whole time.

The story centers on the connection between a prison guard played by Tom Hanks and a death row inmate played by Michael Clarke Duncan. They develop a unique relationship based upon a special 'talent' of Duncan. In a way, the story introduces the supernatural and religion from an interesting perspective that strengthens the connection between the characters and the viewer. It would take a while to describe all of the significant events in the movie, but they all contribute to character development of not only the two main characters, but the others as well (i.e. the other prison guards and inmates).

The movie is based on the Stephen King serial novel of the same name, which I have not yet had the opportunity to read. It is an interesting tale that will make you think about what counts in life, how you treat others, and the distinction between good and evil.

The Green Mile is one of the few movies (another is Schindler's List) which makes good use of 3 hours and doesn't include any extended dull periods. It is touching to the heart and even though I didn't cry, I felt moved by the story. I recommend this to you if you like good stories with interesting characters.