Is The Green Mile based on a True Story? Plot and Ending Explained
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 11, 2023
The Green Mile
The Green Mile is a critically acclaimed movie released in 1999, directed by Frank Darabont. The film tells the story of a death row corrections officer named Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks) who begins to question the morality of the death penalty after he meets a new inmate, John Coffey (played by Michael Clarke Duncan).
The story is set in the 1930s in Louisiana, USA, and the central premise is the supernatural abilities of John Coffey. He is a large black man convicted of raping and murdering two young white girls. Despite being wrongly accused, he accepts his fate and is resigned to his execution. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Coffey possesses an incredible gift of healing, and he also has a telepathic ability to sense people's emotions and thoughts.
As Edgecomb and his fellow guards get to know Coffey, they become increasingly convinced of his innocence and struggle with the moral dilemma of executing an innocent man. The film's emotional climax comes when Coffey is led to the electric chair, and Edgecomb is forced to come to terms with the consequences of his role in the execution.
Is The Green Mile based on a true story?
No, The Green Mile is not based on a true story. The Green Mile is a movie adaptation based on the book of the same name, which portrays a fictional story. Although the central plot remains the same in the movie, certain changes were made to make it less depressing. For instance, the book's conclusion is more sorrowful, where the readers learn that Paul's wife, Jan, died in his arms after a bus accident. Additionally, the mouse Mr. Jingles also dies in the book, but this scene is not featured in the film. Furthermore, a character named Brad Dolan, who mistreats Paul at the nursing home, is not present in the movie.
The film depicts a poignant yet harrowing tale, comparable to other films like "A Time To Kill" and "Mississippi Burning," that reveal the flaws in the US legal system, particularly in cases concerning race. Even though The Green Mile is not based on a true story, it sheds light on the injustices prevalent during that era.
The film is a poignant exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and the power of human connection. The superb acting performances of the cast, especially Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, elevate the story and leave a lasting impact on the viewer.
The Green Mile is a captivating and thought-provoking movie that raises important questions about the death penalty and the nature of justice. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in our interactions with others.
The Green Mile Plot
The movie The Green Mile starts with Paul Edgecomb, a retiree at a Louisiana assisted-living home in 1999, getting emotional while watching the movie "Top Hat" with his companion, Elaine. Paul tells her that the movie reminded him of the events he witnessed when he worked as an officer at Cold Mountain Penitentiary's death row, known as "The Green Mile."
In 1935, Paul oversaw a team of Corrections Officers, including Brutus "Brutal" Howell, Dean Stanton, Harry Terwilliger, and Percy Wetmore, who was the nephew of the state governor's wife. Percy's sadistic nature and influential connections made him difficult to hold accountable for his actions, including the abuse of prisoner Eduard "Del" Delacroix, who had a pet mouse named Mr. Jingles.
Paul met John Coffey, a physically imposing but gentle black man, who had been convicted of raping and murdering two young white girls. He joined Del and another condemned convict, Arlen Bitterbuck, who was the first to be executed. The officers had to deal with the violent and racist William "Wild Bill" Wharton, who assaulted them and verbally abused John.
After John healed Paul's severe bladder infection by touching him and resurrecting Mr. Jingles, Paul realized that John had a supernatural ability to heal others. Paul began to doubt John's guilt and the fairness of his conviction.
The Green Mile Ending Explained
Percy, in exchange for resigning from the penitentiary and accepting a job at an insane asylum, was allowed to oversee Del's execution. However, Percy deliberately didn't wet the sponge used to conduct electricity, causing Del to suffer a painful and gruesome death, which John felt as well. Paul and the other officers punished Percy by locking him in the padded cell for a night. While Percy was confined, they smuggled John out of the prison to heal Warden Hal Moores' wife Melinda of a brain tumor, which saved her life. After releasing Percy from the padded cell, Paul and the other officers threatened to report his misconduct if he didn't change his behavior.
In a twist of fate, John transfers Melinda's illness to Percy, who ultimately shoots Wild Bill to death before being sent to the same insane asylum where he had planned to work. John reveals to Paul that Wild Bill was the true culprit of the murders, using his supernatural energy to do so. Stricken with guilt for condemning an innocent man, Paul offers to release John, but John insists on being executed, seeing it as a mercy. As his last request, John watches a movie with the other officers, and the men are moved to tears as they watch him die.
Years later, Paul, now aged 108, reminisces about his time at the prison with Elaine, revealing that Mr. Jingles is still alive thanks to John's healing touch. Paul questions whether his longevity is divine punishment for executing an innocent man and attends Elaine's funeral, wondering how much longer he has left to live.
Is The Green Mile based on a true story - FAQs
No, The Green Mile is not based on a true story, but it is a work of fiction based on a book by Stephen King.
The Green Mile is a story about a group of death row corrections officers and their experiences with the supernatural. The main character, Paul Edgecomb, forms a special bond with a death row inmate named John Coffey, who possesses the power to heal others.
"The Green Mile" refers to the path that death row inmates walk on their way to the electric chair, which is painted green. It is a metaphor for the final journey that these inmates take before their execution.
While the heart and plot of the book remain intact for the movie adaptation, some changes were made to prevent the film from being "too sad". For example, the movie leaves out some of the more depressing elements of the book, such as the deaths of Jan and Mr. Jingles.
The Green Mile explores themes such as the abuse of power, the corrupt nature of the justice system, and the power of human connection and empathy. It also examines the concept of the supernatural and the idea of miracles, as well as the idea of redemption and forgiveness.