The Green Mile

Released 1999
Stars Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn, Patricia Clarkson
Directed by Frank Darabont

"The Green Mile" is the nickname given to the Coal Mountain Louisiana State Penitentiary's death row. The narrator and main character is Paul Edgecomb (Hanks), the head guard of The Green Mile. Four others work with him - his best friend, Brutus Howell (David Morse); the handsome and somewhat impetuous Dean Stanton (Barry Pepper); the veteran Harry Terwilleger (Jeffrey DeMunn); and the newcomer, a sadist and coward named Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison). Percy is only on the Mile so he can see an execution. Paul would dearly like to get rid of him, but Percy has highly placed connections and cannot be transferred until he submits a request.

A new inmate, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), has come to The Green Mile, joining the two who are already awaiting signed death warrants. John is a giant of a man, but he is quiet, simpleminded, and surprisingly docile - surprising considering the shocking crime he was arrested for - the brutal murder of two little girls. While Percy delights in tormenting the prisoners, both new and old, Paul and the other guards form tentative bonds with them. And, because of that, Paul makes a remarkable discovery about John, and realizes that something extremely unusual may be at work on The Green Mile.

Summary by James Berardinelli