The Green Mile, a supernatural prison drama from 1999, is experiencing a resurgence on the free streaming service Tubi. This Stephen King adaptation stars Tom Hanks in one of his genuinely underrated performances, and it currently ranks third on Tubi’s Top 10 list of the platform’s most-watched films.
Written and directed by Frank Darabont, The Green Mile tells the story of a group of prison guards at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary death row, known colloquially as “The Green Mile.” Officer Paul Edgecomb, portrayed by Hanks, leads this group as they navigate the complexities of their roles. The arrival of inmate John Coffey, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, sets the stage for a gripping tale. Coffey has been sentenced to death for a horrific crime, yet he behaves more like a gentle giant than a murderer, claiming innocence. Over time, Edgecomb discovers that Coffey possesses an extraordinary ability to heal, an aspect of the story that keeps audiences captivated.
Stephen King’s film adaptations have a reputation for being classics, and The Green Mile is no exception. The film features an outstanding cast, including David Morse, Sam Rockwell, Patricia Clarkson, Barry Pepper, Harry Dean Stanton, William Sadler, and Gary Sinise. Alongside The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile is one of two notable prison dramas adapted by Darabont from works by Stephen King. Upon its release in 1999, the film was a tremendous success, grossing over $286 million worldwide against a $60 million production budget. It also garnered four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
When it comes to Stephen King adaptations, The Green Mile is consistently regarded as one of the best. King himself once stated that Darabont’s script was the finest film adaptation he had ever encountered. This underscores the film’s significance, as it remains one of King’s personal favorites among adaptations of his work. Despite its grounding in reality, which contrasts with the typical horror themes found in King’s stories, the film still highlights horrific prison conditions that resonate with audiences.
However, one aspect viewers may find challenging is The Green Mile’s runtime. At three hours and nine minutes, it stands as one of the longest movies based on a Stephen King book, excluding various TV miniseries and adaptations like Andrés Muschietti’s IT. Critics have weighed in on the film’s length, with some suggesting it detracts from its pacing. Renowned critic Roger Ebert noted, however, that the film’s expansive storytelling and character development justified the lengthy duration. He shared, “I appreciated the extra time, which allows us to feel the passage of prison months and years. Stephen King, sometimes dismissed as merely a best-seller, has in his best novels some of the power of Dickens, who created worlds that enveloped us and populated them with colorful, peculiar, sharply seen characters.”
Despite the lengthy viewing experience on Tubi, especially with mandatory ad breaks, The Green Mile is well worth the investment of time and patience. The rich narrative, engaging performances, and impactful themes continue to resonate, making it a streaming sensation on Tubi right now.
