The Green Mile
What?
Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) is a prison guard working on ‘The Green Mile.’ Not long after taking convicted child killer John Coffey into custody, the inmate miraculously heals his bladder infection, and it soon becomes apparent that Coffey is no ordinary human being. With the electric chair looming, Edgecomb starts to doubt Coffey's guilt and finds out the truth behind the remarkable man.
We all know Shawhank found its audience on VHS and DVD, and it was that audience who contributed to The Green Mile’s decent return at the box office. The world wanted another Shawshank from Darabont and King, something that could never happen. Shawshank was a complete freak, a film that took barely $28m in box office receipts worldwide yet is responsible for millions in home format sales. The film features in most people’s top ten lists and is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. The Green Mile was never going to be another Shawshank in terms of box office takings and future sales, but as a film, the ingredients were in place to create another classic.
Perhaps lacking the x-factor of Shawshank, Darabont and King’s follow up should be considered an outright success none the less. Brilliantly acted by the fantastic cast, the film draws you in instantly and ensures looking away, even for a split second, is impossible. Hanks is pivotal of course, but Michael Clark Duncan’s performance should not be underestimated. The moving story would never have had the same impact was it was not for Clarke’s mesmerising turn as the simple giant wrongly convicted of a hideous crime. And moving the film most certainly is. There are a handful of films that have ever actually moved me to the point of shedding a tear and I don’t mind saying that The Green Mile is one of them. It got to me. The brilliantly written script coupled with the unusual story, plus the fine performances equals a film that not only impacted greatly at the time, but will always stick in the memory. The unusual circumstances involved mean The Green Mile will never stand toe to toe with the great Shawshank, but both films are classics in their own way. I can’t help wondering what would have happened if it was The Green Mile that came first.
Optics:
Thanks to the warm, golden colour palette, The Green Mile has always been a film that is very easy on the eye regardless of the format. Warner Brother’s new VC1 transfer is a welcome upgrade as well as a worthwhile one. Although contrast is a little off the overall improvements are noticeable. The dark blue prison uniforms are not defined at all, instead of being able to make out individual creases and even the arms themselves, we are left with one blue mass, especially from a distance and in less well lit areas. General detail has been ramped up however, the dilapidated prison cell bars and the crumbling stone walls are given a new lease of life while close ups of John Coffey reveal individual, glistening beads of sweat. Aside from the contrast issues, The Green Mile looks very impressive on Blu-ray, colours are now more rounded and most of the film looks very nice indeed.
Sonics:
Moving seamlessly from loud, powerful thunderclaps to the patter of tiny mouse feet, The Green Mile’s TrueHD soundtrack features great low frequencies as well as intricate, delicate effects. Dialogue is crystal clear no matter what the accent or the situation the characters find themselves are in and Thomas Newman’s excellent score has never sounded better. The understated, Oscar nominated soundtrack has really been done justice here.
Extras:
Anyone who is familiar with the UK Special Edition will know what to expect here. First up is the interesting commentary from Frank Darabont, next up we have the ‘Walking the Mile: The Making of The Green Mile’ featurette and then the superb ‘Miracles and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile’ feature length, multi part documentary. We also have a number of deleted scenes with optional Darabont commentary and, Michael Clarke Duncan’s screen test, Hanks’ make-up test and a couple of trailers, including the short featurette, ‘The Teaser Trailer: A Case Study’.
Well?
This one is a no brainer if ever there was one: a fantastic film, presented superbly by Warner Brothers and featuring all the extras from the UK Special Edition. The only decision you need to make is whether or not you want the US release which comes in the like-it-love-it digibook packaging. My advice? Save a little money and pick up the UK version.
Tom Day
Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) is a prison guard working on ‘The Green Mile.’ Not long after taking convicted child killer John Coffey into custody, the inmate miraculously heals his bladder infection, and it soon becomes apparent that Coffey is no ordinary human being. With the electric chair looming, Edgecomb starts to doubt Coffey's guilt and finds out the truth behind the remarkable man.
We all know Shawhank found its audience on VHS and DVD, and it was that audience who contributed to The Green Mile’s decent return at the box office. The world wanted another Shawshank from Darabont and King, something that could never happen. Shawshank was a complete freak, a film that took barely $28m in box office receipts worldwide yet is responsible for millions in home format sales. The film features in most people’s top ten lists and is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. The Green Mile was never going to be another Shawshank in terms of box office takings and future sales, but as a film, the ingredients were in place to create another classic.
Perhaps lacking the x-factor of Shawshank, Darabont and King’s follow up should be considered an outright success none the less. Brilliantly acted by the fantastic cast, the film draws you in instantly and ensures looking away, even for a split second, is impossible. Hanks is pivotal of course, but Michael Clark Duncan’s performance should not be underestimated. The moving story would never have had the same impact was it was not for Clarke’s mesmerising turn as the simple giant wrongly convicted of a hideous crime. And moving the film most certainly is. There are a handful of films that have ever actually moved me to the point of shedding a tear and I don’t mind saying that The Green Mile is one of them. It got to me. The brilliantly written script coupled with the unusual story, plus the fine performances equals a film that not only impacted greatly at the time, but will always stick in the memory. The unusual circumstances involved mean The Green Mile will never stand toe to toe with the great Shawshank, but both films are classics in their own way. I can’t help wondering what would have happened if it was The Green Mile that came first.
Optics:
Thanks to the warm, golden colour palette, The Green Mile has always been a film that is very easy on the eye regardless of the format. Warner Brother’s new VC1 transfer is a welcome upgrade as well as a worthwhile one. Although contrast is a little off the overall improvements are noticeable. The dark blue prison uniforms are not defined at all, instead of being able to make out individual creases and even the arms themselves, we are left with one blue mass, especially from a distance and in less well lit areas. General detail has been ramped up however, the dilapidated prison cell bars and the crumbling stone walls are given a new lease of life while close ups of John Coffey reveal individual, glistening beads of sweat. Aside from the contrast issues, The Green Mile looks very impressive on Blu-ray, colours are now more rounded and most of the film looks very nice indeed.
Sonics:
Moving seamlessly from loud, powerful thunderclaps to the patter of tiny mouse feet, The Green Mile’s TrueHD soundtrack features great low frequencies as well as intricate, delicate effects. Dialogue is crystal clear no matter what the accent or the situation the characters find themselves are in and Thomas Newman’s excellent score has never sounded better. The understated, Oscar nominated soundtrack has really been done justice here.
Extras:
Anyone who is familiar with the UK Special Edition will know what to expect here. First up is the interesting commentary from Frank Darabont, next up we have the ‘Walking the Mile: The Making of The Green Mile’ featurette and then the superb ‘Miracles and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile’ feature length, multi part documentary. We also have a number of deleted scenes with optional Darabont commentary and, Michael Clarke Duncan’s screen test, Hanks’ make-up test and a couple of trailers, including the short featurette, ‘The Teaser Trailer: A Case Study’.
Well?
This one is a no brainer if ever there was one: a fantastic film, presented superbly by Warner Brothers and featuring all the extras from the UK Special Edition. The only decision you need to make is whether or not you want the US release which comes in the like-it-love-it digibook packaging. My advice? Save a little money and pick up the UK version.
Tom Day
Director:
Frank Darabont
Starring:
Tom Hanks
David Morse
Bonnie Hunt
Michael Clarke Duncan
James Cromwell
Doug Hutchison
Sam Rockwell
Barry Pepper
Best line:
Tagline:
"Miracles do happen."
Description:
Warner Brothers
UK
Region free
Rated 18
3Hrs 8 Mins
1.85:1
VC1
Dolby TrueHD 5.1
(English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Turkish)
Subtitles: Eng, Fra, Dutch, Ita, Spa, Jap, Por, Dan, Nor, Swe, Tur
'Walking the Mile: The Making of The Green Mile'
'Miracles and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile' multi part documentary
Deleted scenes
Michael Clarke Duncan’s screen test
Hanks' make-up test
Trailers
'The Teaser Trailer: A Case Study'
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 10.0
Optics 7.0
Sonics 8.0
Extras 8.0
Overall 8.0
