The Green Mile (1999)
RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 4 Oscars
15 wins & 37 nominations total
Though The Green Mile is long, critics say it’s an absorbing, emotionally powerful experience
The Green Mile is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but instead of loops and drops, it’s tears and heartache. The movie is so long that you might need to pack a lunch, but it’s worth it for the incredible performances and powerful moments. Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy, because this one will hit you right in the feels.
Production Company(ies)
Shangri-La Entertainment, Tuff Gong Pictures, Cowboy Films,
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Tennessee State Penitentiary, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence, language and some sex-related material
Year of Release
1999
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:3h 9m
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Language(s):English, French
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 13, 2000
Genre(s)
Drama/Fantasy
Keyword(s)
starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, directed by Frank Darabont, written by Stephen King, Frank Darabont, drama, fantasy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kirk Honeycutt, Lisa Alspector, Nell Minow, Rob White, Richard Corliss, Derek Adams, Matt Brunson, MPAA rating R, produced by Frank Darabont, David Valdes, Warner Bros Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros., supernatural, prison, death row, miracles, grief, emotional, powerful, absorbing, long, three hours, convict, black man, murder, sisters, innocence, guilt, prodigious, supernatural gift, naive, deathly fear, simple, massive, size, strength, demeanor, questioning, truth, justice, redemption, heartwarming, Thomas Newman, soundtrack, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey Demunn, Sam Rockwell, Harry Dean Stanton, William Sadler, Doug Hutchison, flat aspect ratio, surround sound, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Worldwide gross: $286,801,374
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $514,816,463
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 275
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 56,141,381
US/Canada gross: $136,801,374
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $245,562,281
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 264
US/Canada opening weekend: $18,017,152
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $32,341,290
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 409
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $60,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $107,701,673
Production budget ranking: 365
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $57,997,351
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $349,117,439
ROI to date (est.): 211%
ROI ranking: 606
David Morse – Brutus “Brutal” Howell
Michael Clarke Duncan – John Coffey
Bonnie Hunt – Janice Edgecomb
James Cromwell – Warden Hal Moores
Michael Jeter – Eduard “Del” Delacroix
Frank Darabont – Director, Producer, Writer
David Valdes – Producer
Stephen King – Writer
Director(s)
Frank Darabont
Writer(s)
Stephen King, Frank Darabont
Producer(s)
Frank Darabont, David Valdes
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 4 Oscars
15 wins & 37 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (137) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (108) | Rotten (29)
The simple fable can’t stand such scrutiny. More pivotally, the weight given to each moment lends The Green Mile a ponderousness that works against the emotions the story seems to want to plug into.
December 10, 2019
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Much of the three-hour movie takes place in the prison, but the resonant characterization, expansive plotting, and judicious use of exterior locations and flashbacks turn the walls into windows.
April 8, 2011
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Thoughtful, intelligent movie for older teens.
December 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
How many blockbusters deal with that kind of grief?
October 18, 2008
Rob White
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
To more than a few viewers, this one will feel like a life sentence.
August 24, 2008
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The supernatural elements carry an undeniable emotional charge, but the solution to the underlying murder mystery is disappointingly tidy and trite.
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
There are several scenes of tremendous power. But the same problems that plagued The Shawshank Redemption are in full force here.
February 27, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Now, for the first time, Darabonts The Green Mile is available on 4K UHD with high-dynamic range, rejuvenating the drama, imbuing it with the visual energy to accompany its bittersweet narrative.
February 24, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Douglas Davidson
Elements of Madness
At times, you notice The Green Mile tugging your heartstrings. But aside from a moment or two over the course of three hours, the viewer gives in, entrenched in the proceedings and deeply affected by the spell of these characters.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Make no mistake that The Green Mile is powerful and draws on our emotions but the film is also too long.
February 22, 2022
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
Unfortunately the movie can never shake the uncomfortable and trope-filled premise.
February 28, 2019 | Rating: 3/10
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net
…despite the clichs and stereotypes, the film’s cast manages to lift it from the depths of the commonplace and make watching it enjoyable.
December 6, 2009 | Rating: 7/10
John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis…
Plot
Death Row guards at a penitentiary, in the 1930’s, have a moral dilemma with their job when they discover one of their prisoners, a convicted murderer, has a special gift.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Michael Clarke Duncan’s performance as John Coffey is widely praised by critics as powerful and emotionally resonant.
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