This work of Stephen King is considered to be the most moving, permeated with real, subtle psychologism. Over the film adaptation of the novel, created by director Frank Darabont, liters of tears were shed. We are talking about the film "Green Mile", the actors of which and the characters skillfully recreated by them were able to reliably convey to the viewer the main motive of King's work.
Plot of the film
Paul Edgecomb worked as a prison guard in the 1930s. He had to deal with criminals sentenced to death. On the last day of their life, before being executed in an electric chair, they passed along a corridor whose floor was painted green. Therefore, this final path of the convicts got its name - the “green mile”.
A new overseer, the cowardly, cowardly and evil Percy Wetmore, enters the prison service. This man is unpleasant, his colleagues do not like him, but he has to endure his tricks, since he was hired by the patronage of the state leadership. Wetmore himself is not particularly happy with the work in this place, but he has only one desire, which occupies all his thoughts - he wants to lead a real execution. Paul Edgecombe and other prison guards conclude a contract with Percy: he must write a transfer application after his dark dream comes true.
Meanwhile, a huge black man, John Coffey, goes to jail. He is convicted of raping and killing two little girls. But, talking to this prisoner, Paul Edgecomb realizes that such a good-natured person like John Coffey simply could not commit such a terrible crime. This huge black man during his entire time in the cell does a lot of things - surprising, kind.
Percy succeeds: he is allowed to execute the execution of Eduard Delacroix, one of the prisoners, holding a small white mouse in his cell. During the execution, Wetmore “forgets” to wet a sponge, which is placed on the head of the convict for better electrical conductivity and for reasons of humanity. Delacroix dies in terrible agony.
John Coffey helps the wife of the prison governor recover from illness. He “absorbs” her pain and suffering into himself, and when Percy approaches his cell, he passes them to him. Wetmore goes crazy and kills another prisoner from a revolver. By the strength of his inner gift, Coffey shows Paul Edgecomb that it was this shot man who was actually the rapist and murderer whose fault was attributed to him. However, Coffey asks not to impede his electrocution. He was simply tired of living in a world where villains are killing, raping and robbing, and good, innocent people are forced to suffer.
The Green Mile: actors and roles
All characters in this film are recognizable. Their characters are masterfully prescribed by the King of Horrors, so the images in the book turned out to be bright, lively. No less reliable and interesting are the characters in the film The Green Mile. The actors whose photos are collected for you in this material are already inextricably associated with their roles.
So, Paul Edgecomb was played by Tom Hanks, and John Coffey - Michael Clark Duncan. The Frenchman Delacroix was embodied by Michael Jeter, and his tormentor Percy Wetmore - Doug Hutchinson.
Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb
Initially, this role was offered to another actor who had previously worked on the film adaptations of King. We are talking about John Travolta, who managed to become famous as an actor thanks to his participation in the film "Carrie". However, Travolta refused the role, and she went to that Hanks.
Hanks, who had previously starred in Sleepless in Seattle, Saving Private Ryan, and Forrest Gump, agreed to play Paul Edgecomb and looked very organic in that role. The actors of the film "The Green Mile" were nominated for an Oscar, some received the Saturn film award. But Tom Hanks was not among them. Even despite the fact that, in fact, he is the main actor in this film.
The Green Mile in the career of Michael Clark Douglas
This actor is a huge kind John Coffey. "Like a drink, only spelled differently." Douglas got this role with the help of Bruce Willis, who advised him on the director of the movie The Green Mile. Actors by that time were already selected, but John Coffey was not enough. And Michael Clark Douglas approved almost immediately. He subsequently received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Before the Green Mile, this actor starred in several films, the most famous of which can be considered Armageddon. Later other roles followed - in the films Planet of the Apes, Nine Yards, Sin City. We can say that it was the Green Mile that helped Michael Clark Douglas become famous in America.
The actors who starred in the film warmly remember him. Unfortunately, Douglas is no longer alive, he died in September 2012, failing to recover from a heart attack.
Interesting facts about other actors
Percy Wetmore, the film's main villain, was played by Doug Hutchison. It is interesting that according to the book of Wetmore 21 years old, and when Hutchison came to the casting, he was 39. The actor kept silent about his age, he was approved for this role.
According to the script, Michael Jeter, who embodied Edward Delacroix in the film, often had to be in front of the camera with a small white mouse. The actor already had experience communicating with these animals, because earlier he starred in the movie “Mouse Hunt”. By the way, according to her scenario, the mouse was very intelligent, as was Mr. Jingle from the movie The Green Mile. Actors on the set became attached to small cute animals and each of them came up with a name. And mice, I must say, a lot were involved in the filming - as many as 60 individuals.
Conclusion
The actors of the film "Green Mile" embodied one of the best novels of Stephen King in the movie. This movie masterpiece is loved by many viewers for its authenticity, deep morality and expressive psychologism. When you watch this film, it seems that in our life, full of bad moments and the same people, there is a place for kindness and a bit of magic.