The Green Mile
Paul Edgecomb didn't believe in miracles. Until the day he met one.
Country
Production
Budget
$60 000 000
Box office
$286 801 374
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
David Valdes, Frank Darabont
Camera operator
Composer
Artist
Terence Marsh, Rick O'Connor, David Latour
Audition
Short description
A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the cell block's head guard, Paul Edgecomb, recognizes Coffey's miraculous gift, he tries desperately to help stave off the condemned man's execution.
What's left behind the scenes
- In reality, the electric chair did not become a method of execution in the state of Louisiana until 1941. In the year indicated as the time of the film's action – 1935 (in the book – 1932) – convicted criminals were executed by hanging.
- The initials of John Coffey (J. C.), as King himself wrote, correspond to the initials of Jesus Christ.
- David Morse is only one inch shorter than Michael Clarke Duncan. During filming, several different methods were used to create the illusion that John Coffey was an incredible giant.
- Stephen King couldn't decide how the story would end for John Coffey – whether he would live or not – until he finished writing the book.
- The electric chair model used during the filming of the movie was constructed based on the original blueprints of an ancient electric chair known as 'Old Sparky.' Stephen King tried to understand what death row inmates feel and asked to be strapped into the chair. According to him, the sensation was not the most pleasant.
- The electric chair model used during the filming was constructed based on the original blueprints of an antiquated electric chair known as “Old Sparky.” Stephen King tried to understand what those sentenced to death feel and asked to be tied to the chair. According to him, the sensations were not the most pleasant.
- Until the very end of writing the book, Stephen King could not decide how the story would end for John Coffey—whether he would stay alive or not.
- Duncan was very embarrassed about having to grab Hanks by the groin when Coffey 'heals' Edgecomb's infection. To overcome Duncan's embarrassment, Hanks put an empty bottle in his pants.
- The events of the film take place in 1935 (in the book, in 1932). This change was made due to a desire to use footage from "The Top Hat" (1935) in the movie.
- The film that Coffey watches before his execution and which, many years later, prompts Paul to tell Elaine his story, is the classic musical comedy "Top Hat" (1935).
- Filming took place in the USA, in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee.
- At the time of filming, actor Doug Hutchison was 18 years older than his character (Percy Wetmore), and Sam Rockwell (Wild Bill Wharton) was 12 years older.
- The actor who played Eduard Delacroix, Michael Jeter, already had experience working with “talented” mice by the time of filming. That film was “Mousehunt” from 1997.
- The film that Coffey watches before his execution, and which years later prompts Paul to tell Elaine his story, is the classic musical comedy "Top Hat" (1935).
- The scene where Delacroix reads Weird Tales magazine is a reference to H. P. Lovecraft, of whom Stephen King is a creative successor and great admirer. It was during the 1930s that Lovecraft's most significant works, which were published in this magazine, were released.
- The scene where Delacroix reads the magazine Weird Tales is a reference to H.P. Lovecraft, whose creative heir and great admirer is Stephen King. It was in the 1930s that Lovecraft's most significant works were published in this magazine.
- As King himself wrote, John Coffey's initials (J. C.) correspond to the initials of Jesus Christ.
- The role of Paul Edgecomb was initially offered to John Travolta, but he declined the offer.
- According to the original plan, Tom Hanks was supposed to play the role of the aged Paul Edgecomb as well. After a few experiments, the makeup artists decided that Tom could not be properly aged with makeup, and Dubbs Griggs was then chosen for this small role.
- The role of Paul Edgecomb was originally offered to John Travolta, but he declined the offer.
- To create the appropriate mood in the film, all prison guards were dressed in uniform, although such a rule did not yet exist in prisons in 1935.
- Actor Doug Hutchison, who played Percy, was given the squeakiest boots he had ever seen and heard. Doug considered this circumstance a pleasant gift from fate – such squeaky shoes perfectly complemented the repulsive nature of his character.
- Michael Jeter, who played the role of Eduard Delacroix, already had experience filming with 'gifted' mice by the time the movie was shot. That film was the 1997 movie 'Mouse Hunt'.
- Originally, Tom Hanks was supposed to play the role of the aged Paul Edgecomb as well. After a couple of makeup experiments, it was decided that Tom could not be adequately made up, and then Dabbs Greer was chosen for this small role.
- One of the main casting challenges was finding a candidate for the role of John Coffey. Bruce Willis then advised the producers to look at Michael Clarke Duncan, with whom the famous actor had appeared in 'Armageddon'.
- One of the main challenges of casting was finding a candidate for the role of John Coffey. Bruce Willis then advised the producers to pay attention to Michael Clarke Duncan, with whom the famous actor starred in “Armageddon.”
- The events of the film take place in 1935 (in the book – in 1932). This change was due to the desire to use footage from “The Cylinder” (1935) in the film.
- Duncan was very embarrassed about having to grab Hanks by the groin when Coffey "cures" Edgecomb's infection. To ease Duncan's embarrassment, Hanks placed an empty bottle in his pants.
- The film is based on the novel "The Green Mile" (1996) by Stephen King.
- While the mouse crawls along the Green Mile, Percy Wetmore whistles the tune of the American folk song "Gallows Pole" while combing his hair.
- Actor Doug Hutchinson, who played the role of Percy, was given the squeakiest boots he had ever seen or heard. Doug considered this a pleasant twist of fate, as such squeaky footwear perfectly complemented his character's repulsive personality.
- The film featured thirty mice playing Mr. Jingles. All the mice were named after actors and crew members.
- The film is based on Stephen King's novel "The Green Mile" (The Green Mile, 1996).
- In one episode of the film, you can see the name of the state where the prison is located – Louisiana – written on the prison truck. In another, when Paul enters the warden's office, you can notice a map of the state hanging on the wall.
- Filming took place from July to December 1998.
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