The Green Mile (film)

I think about all of us. Walking our own Green Mile, each in our own time.

The Green Mile (1999), is an adaptation of the 1996 novel of the same name by Stephen King; adapted and directed by Frank Darabont, it stars Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, a death row corrections officer, and Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, a huge, powerful, but mentally challenged black prisoner convicted of the rape and murder of two young white girls.

Miracles happen in the most unexpected places.Tagline

Paul Edgecomb

• I guess sometimes the past just catches up with you, whether you want it to or not.
• I haven't spoken of these things in a long time, Elaine. Over 60 years.
• Did I ever tell you that I was a prison guard during the Depression?
• Did I mention that I was in charge of death row? That I supervised all the executions? Usually, death row was called "the last mile"; we called ours "the Green Mile". The floor was the color of faded limes. We had the electric chair, "Old Sparky," we called it. Oh, I've lived a lot of years, Ellie, but 1935, that takes the prize. That year, I had the worst urinary infection of my life, and that was also the year of John Coffey and the two dead girls.
• [about Percy] The man is mean and careless and stupid, and that's a bad combination in a place like this. Sooner or later, he's gonna get somebody hurt, or worse.
• You know what I think? I think he just wants to see one cook up close.
• Y'all saw what he did to the mouse. He did the same thing to me. He put his hands on me. And he took my bladder infection away.
• [to Percy after throwing him in the padded restraint room] We'll give you need a few hours of quiet time so you can reflect on what you did to Del.
• Shut up and listen. Now, you deserved to be punished for what you did to Del. You accept it like a man, or we'll make you sorry you were ever born. We'll tell people how you sabotaged Del's execution.
• How you pissed yourself like a frightened little girl. Yes, we will talk. But, Percy, you mind me now. We'll also see you beaten within an inch of your life. We know people, too, are you so foolish you don't realize that? Let bygones be bygones. Nothing's hurt so far but your pride. And nobody need ever know about that except the people in this room.
• I've done some things in my life I'm not proud of, but this is the first time I've ever felt in real danger of hell.
• On the day of my judgement, when I stand before God, and he asks me why... did I... did I kill one of his true... miracles... what am I going to say? That it was my job? It was my job...
• It was the last execution I ever took part in. I just couldn't do it anymore after that. Brutal neither. We both transferred out and took jobs with Boys Correctional. It was alright. "Catch em young" became our motto.
• I think Mr. Jingles happened by accident. I think when we electrocuted Del, and it all went so badly... well, John can feel that you know... and I think a part of... whatever magic was inside of him just slipped into my tiny friend here. As for me, John had to give me a part of himself; a gift the way he saw it, so that I could see for myself what Wild Bill had done. When John did that; when he took my hand, a part of the power that worked through him spilled into me.
• That's as good a word as any. He infected us both, didn't he, Mr. Jingles? With life.
• I'm 108 years old, Elaine. I was 44 the year that John Coffey walked The Green Mile. You mustn't blame John. He couldn't help what happened to him... he was just a force of nature. Oh, I've lived to see some amazing things Ellie. Another century come to past, but I've... I've had to see my friends and loved ones die all through the years... Hal and Melinda, Brutus Howell, my wife, my boy. And you Elaine. You'll die too, And my curse is knowing that I'll be there to see it. It's my atonement, you see — it's my punishment for lettin' John Coffey ride the lightning. For killing a miracle of God. You'll be gone like all the others, and I'll have to stay. Oh, I'll die eventually; of that, I'm sure. I have no illusions of immortality. But I will have wished for death long before Death finds me. In truth, I wish for it already.
• I lie in bed most nights thinking about it, and I wait. I think about all the people I've loved, now long gone. I think about my beautiful Jan, how I lost her so many years ago, and I think about all of us. Walking our own Green Mile, each in our own time. But one thought, more than any other, keeps me awake most nights. If he could make a mouse live so long... how much longer do I have? We each owe a death — there are no exceptions. But, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long.

John Coffey

John Coffey, just like the drink, only not spelled the same.

• John Coffey, just like the drink, only not spelled the same.
• I tried to take it back, but it was too late. (crying)
• You be still, now ... you be so quiet and so still.
• Why, they's angels. Angels, just like up in heaven.
  • Entranced, watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing "Cheek to Cheek" in Top Hat.
• I helped it. Didn't I help it? I just took back, that's all. I'm awful tired now, boss. Dog tired.
• He out of it now, though. He the lucky one. No matter how it happened, Del the lucky one.
• [points to the stars] Look, boss. It's Cassie. The lady in the rocking chair.
• Don't know. Tell you the truth, boss. I don't know much of anything. I never have.
• You tell God, the father, it was a kindness you done. I know your hurtin' and worryin' I can feel it on you. But you oughta quit on it now. I want it to be over and done with. I do.
• I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we's going to or coming from, or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day. There's too much of it — it's like pieces of glass in my head, all the time. Can you understand?
• He killed them with their love. That's how it is every day, all over the world.
• [as Paul and Brutal walk him to his execution] I dreamed he got down to that place Boss Howell talked about, that Mouseville place. I dreamed there was kids, and how they laughed at his tricks! My! I dreamed those two little blonde-headed girls were there. They 'us laughing, too. I put my arms around 'em and sat 'em on my knees, and there 'us no blood comin' outta their hair and they 'us fine. We all watch Mr. Jingles roll that spool, and how we did laugh. Fit to bust, we was.
• There's lots a folks here that hate me, lots. I can feel it. It's like bees stingin' me.
• I'm sorry for what I am.
• Please boss, don't put that thing over my face, don't put me in the dark. I's afraid of the dark.
• (singing quietly) Heaven … I'm in heaven … heaven …

William "Wild Bill" Wharton

• You love your sister? You make any noise, you know what happens? I'm gonna kill her instead of you. You make any noise, I'm gonna kill her, you understand? You understand? Shh…
• You can come in here on you legs, but you'll go out on you backs. Billy the Kid gon' guarantee you that. Come on, fuckstick! No sneaking up on me this time. We'll go man to man!
• Hey! What about me? Don't you hold that on me, you big dummy nigger!
• Don't you call me that! Wild Bill Hickok was no range-rider! He was just another bushwackin' John Law! Dumb sonofabitch sat with his back to the door, kilt by a drunk!
• Barbecue! Me and you! Stinky-pinky, Pew-Pew-Pew! Weren't Billy, Jilly, Hilly, or Pa! It was a French-fried Cajun named Delacroix! WOO!
• All I wanted me was a little corn bread, you motherfuckers! All I wanted me was a little corn bread!
• You can come in here on your legs, but you'll go out on your backs. Billy the Kid gonna guarantee ya that.
• HE'S COOKIN' NOW! THEY COOKIN' HIM GOOD! They're about done, I reckon! WHOO!!! WHOO, WHOO, WHOO! YEEEAAAAHHH!!! WE'RE GON' HAVE A HOEDOWN! WHOO! WHOO, WHOO, WHOO, WHOO, YEE-HAAAWWW!!!!! YEAH! HE'S COOKING NOW! WE'RE GON' HAVE A HOEDOWN! 'CUTION GUMBO! GIVE ME SOME! GIVE ME SOME! (He bags on the cell door several times with a chair,) I'M SMELLING GUMBO!!! I'M SMELLING... I SAID, GIVE ME SOME!
• [to a possessed Percy] Boy, what you lookin' at? What you lookin' at, you limp noodle? You wanna kiss my ass? You wanna suck my dick?

Percy Wetmore

• Dead man walking, we got a dead man walking here.
• I think of it as a bucket of piss to drown rats in, that's all. Anybody doesn't like it, hmm? You can kiss my ass.
• Adios, Chief. Drop us a card from Hell. Let us know if it's hot enough.
• You talk about this to anyone...I'll get you all fired. I swear that to God.
• Now, don't start in on me. It was just a mouse. Never belonged here in the first place.
• Well, what if I just call up certain people and tell them you're harassing me? Bullying me?
• [to Delacroix] Hey. There's no such place. That's just a fairytale these guys told you to keep you quiet. Just thought you should know...faggot.
• I didn't know the sponge was supposed to be wet.
• Please Paul. Please don't put me in with Wild Bill, please don't.

Dialogue

I do not see God putting a...gift like that, in the hands of a man who could kill a child.

]]

On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I...did I kill one of his true miracles — what am I gonna say? That it was my job?

I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we's going to or coming from, or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day. There's too much of it — it's like pieces of glass in my head, all the time. Can you understand?

Why, they's angels. Angels, just like up in heaven.

One thought, more than any other, keeps me awake most nights. If he could make a mouse live so long... how much longer do I have? We each owe a death — there are no exceptions. But, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long.

Paul Edgecomb: I guess sometimes the past just catches up with you, whether you want it to or not. Silly.

Elaine Connelly: Was it the film? It was, wasn't it?

Paul Edgecomb: I haven't spoken of these things in a long time, Elaine. Over 60 years.

Elaine Connelly: Paul, I'm your friend.

Paul Edgecomb: Did I ever tell you that I was a prison guard during the Depression?

Elaine Connelly: You've mentioned it.

Paul Edgecomb: Did I mention that I was in charge of death row? That I supervised all the executions? [Elaine shakes her head] Usually, death row was called "the last mile"; we called ours "the Green Mile". The floor was the color of faded limes. We had the electric chair, "Old Sparky," we called it. Oh, I've lived a lot of years, Ellie, but 1935, that takes the prize. That year, I had the worst urinary infection of my life, and that was also the year of John Coffey and the two dead girls.

---

Percy Wetmore: Dead man! Dead man walking! We got a dead man walking here!

Paul Edgecomb: Percy! That's enough! [to John] I'm not gonna have any trouble with you, big boy. Can you talk?

John Coffey: Yes, sir, boss. I can talk. [Paul enters his cell, and Percy hits John with his nightstick]

Percy Wetmore: Move your ass. Let's go. Come on. [John enters his cell]

Paul Edgecomb: Percy, they're moving house in the infirmary. Why don't you go see if they could use some help?

Percy Wetmore: Well, they got all the men they need.

Paul Edgecomb: Why don't you just go and make sure?

Percy Wetmore: Uh-uh.

Paul Edgecomb: I don't care where you go, Percy, just as long as it's not here at this very moment. [Percy nods and walks down the Mile; Del grins at him as he walks by, so Percy smacks Del's fingers with a nightstick and makes Del scream in pain]

Eduard Delacroix: [crying] God, he busted my finger!

Percy Wetmore: I wiped that grin off your shit-poke face, didn't I?!

Paul Edgecomb: Goddamn it, Percy, get the hell off my block! [Percy looks at him, nods and leaves] [to Delacroix] We're going to get that looked at, Del. In the meantime, you just stay quiet. [to John] If I let Harry take those chains off you, you gonna be nice? [John nods, and Harry comes in to uncuffs John's wrists and legs] Your name is John Coffey?

John Coffey: Yes, sir, boss. Like the drink, only not spelled the same.

Paul Edgecomb: Oh, you can spell, can you?

John Coffey: Just my name, boss. J-O...

Paul Edgecomb: My name is Paul Edgecomb. If I'm not here you can ask for Mr. Terwilliger, Mr. Howell, or Mr. Stanton. These gentlemen right there. Questions?

John Coffey: Do you leave the light on after bedtime? Cause I get a little scared of the dark sometimes. If it's a strange place.

Paul Edgecomb: It stays pretty bright here all night long. We always keep a few lights burning out in the corridor.

John Coffey: The corridor?

Paul Edgecomb: Right out there. [John looks to where the corridor is, and extends his hand to Paul. Paul shakes his hand and closes John's cell] You can sit. [John sits down]

John Coffey: I couldn't help it, boss. I tried to take it back, but it was too late.

---

Hal Moores: I interrupt?

Paul Edgecomb: [reading John Coffey's file] Well, I'm just about done. [Hal sits on the bench next with Paul]. Hey. How's that pretty gal of yours?

Hal Moores: Melinda's not so well, Paul. Not so well at all.

Paul Edgecomb: More headaches?

Hal Moores: Got laid up with another one yesterday. Worst one yet. I'll be taking her over to Vicksburg next day or so for some tests. Head X-rays and who knows what else. She's scared to death. Truth to tell, so am I.

Paul Edgecomb: If it's something they can see on the X-ray... maybe it's something they can fix.

Hal Moores: Maybe. [pulls out Arlen Bitterbuck's file] This just came in [hands it to Paul] D.O.E. on Bitterbuck.

Paul Edgecomb: You didn't come all the way down here to hand me a D.O.E.

Hal Moores: I had an angry call from the State Capitol about 20 minutes ago. Is it true that you ordered Percy Wetmore off the block?

Paul Edgecomb: It is.

Hal Moores: Now, I'm sure you had reason, Paul. But, like it or not, the wife of the governor of this state has only one nephew, and his name happens to be Percy Wetmore.

Paul Edgecomb: Little Percy calls his aunt and squeals like a schoolroom sissy. Did he also mention he assaulted a prisoner this morning out of sheer petulance? Broke three fingers on Eduard Delacroix's left hand?

Hal Moores: I didn't hear that part. I'm sure she didn't either.

Paul Edgecomb: The man is mean and careless and stupid, and that's a bad combination in a place like this. Sooner or later, he's gonna get somebody hurt, or worse.

Hal Moores: Stick with it, Paul. It may not be much longer, I have it on good authority that Percy has an application in at Briar Ridge.

Paul Edgecomb: Briar Ridge. The mental hospital.

Hal Moores: Administration job. Better pay.

Paul Edgecomb: Then why is he still here? He could get that application pushed through. Hell, with his connections, he could have any state job he wants. You know what I think? I think he just wants to see one cook up close.

Hal Moores: Well, he'll get his chance then. Won't he? Maybe then, he'll be satisfied and move on. In the meantime, you'll keep the peace?

Paul Edgecomb: Of course.

Hal Moores: Thank you, Paul.

---

[Coffey seizes Paul's groin for a few moments, then spews a mysterious insect-like cloud, which dissipates overhead]

Paul: What did you just do to me?

John Coffey: I helped it. Didn't I help it? I just took it back, is all. Awful tired now, boss... dog-tired. [falls asleep on his bed]

---

[After Percy empties the restraint room, trying to catch Mr. Jingles]

Paul: Percy, you want to think about what you were doing just now?

Percy: [looks at Paul] I was trying to get the mouse. Are you blind?

Harry Terwilliger: You also scared the living crap out of me and Bill. Not to mention the inmates. [nods towards the inmate cells]

Percy: So what? They aren't in cradle-school, in case you didn't notice. [to Paul] Although you treat them that way half the time.

Brutus: We don't scare 'em any more than we have to, Percy. They're under enough strain as it is.

Paul: Men under strain can snap. Hurt themselves and hurt others. That's why our job is talking, not yelling. You'll do better to think of this place like an intensive care ward of a hospital.

Percy: I think of it as a bucket of piss to drown rats in, that's all. [scans their faces] Anybody doesn't like it, hmm? You can kiss my ass. [Brutus grabs him by his collar and pushes him up against the wall] Don't. Yeah, you try it. Go on, try it. You'll be on the bread lines before the week is out.

Paul: [puts his hand on Brutus's arm] Okay, Brutal.

[Brutus looks towards Paul, then back towards Percy, then lets go of him]

Paul: [steps close] We all know who your connections are, Percy. But you ever threaten a man on this block again, we all gonna have a go. Job be damned.

Percy: You done?

Paul: [contemptuously] Get all this shit back in the restraining room, Percy. You're cluttering up my Mile.

---

Percy Wetmore: Now, don't start in on me. It was just a mouse. Never belonged here in the first place.

Paul Edgecomb: The mouse is fine. Just fine. You're no better at mouse-killing than you are...at anything else around here. Huh? [laughs] I heard the goddamn thing crunch.

Paul Edgecomb: Aren't you glad Mr. Jingles is okay? After all those talks we had about keeping the prisoners calm? Aren't you relieved?

Percy Wetmore: What kind of game is this?

Paul Edgecomb: It's no game. See for yourself.

[Percy sees Mr. Jingles is alive and storms back to Paul and Brutal]

Percy Wetmore: You switched 'em! You switched 'em somehow, you bastards!

Brutus Howell: [grinning] I always keep a spare mouse in my wallet for occasions such as this.

Percy Wetmore: Yeah, you playing with me, huh? Both of you! Just who the hell you think you are? Huh? [Brutal grabs Percy and both he and Paul pin him against the electric chair]

Paul Edgecomb: We're the people you work with, Percy. But not for long! Percy, I want your word!

Percy Wetmore: My word?

Paul Edgecomb: I put you out front for Del. You put in your transfer to Briar Ridge the very next day.

Percy Wetmore: Well, what if I just call up certain people and tell them you're harassing me? Bullying me?

Paul Edgecomb: Go ahead. I promise you'll leave your share of blood on the floor.

Percy Wetmore: Over a mouse?

Paul Edgecomb: No. But four men will swear you stood by while Wild Bill tried to strangle Dean to death. About that, people will care. Even your uncle, the governor, will care about that.

Brutus Howell: Thing like that goes on your work record. Work record can follow a Man around for a long, long time.

Paul Edgecomb: I put you out front, you put in that transfer. That's the deal, alright?

Percy Wetmore: Alright [nods] Alright.

Paul Edgecomb: [Paul extends his hand to Percy] You make a promise to a Man, you shake his hand. [Percy grabs Paul's hand, and Paul quickly pulls him out of the chair and shakes his hand]

---

Hal Moores: Why don't you shut it down?!

Paul Edgecomb: He's still alive! You want me to shut down while he's still alive?! [angrily grabs Percy] YOU WATCH, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!! [forces him to look at Delacroix's burning body]

Hal Moores: [to the crowd fleeing in horror] It's alright, folks! It's all under control! Everybody, stay calm! Please, stay calm!

---

[In the mortuary, Brutal covers up Delacroix's badly charred corpse and angrily glares at Percy]

Percy Wetmore: I didn't know the sponge was supposed to be wet. [Brutal angrily punches Percy in the face, Paul restrains Brutal]

Paul Edgecomb: Brutal! Brutal no!

Brutus Howell: What do you mean "no"?! How do you say "no"?! You saw what he did!

Paul Edgecomb: Delacroix's dead! Now there's nothing that can change that, and Percy is not worth it!

Brutus Howell: So he just gets away with it, is that how it works?! [Hal comes down to see the commotion]

Hal Moores: What in the blue fuck was that?! Jesus Christ. There's puke all over the floor up there. And the smell. I got Van Hay to open both doors, but that smell won't go out for 5 damn years, that's what I'm betting. And that asshole Wharton is singing about it! You can hear him up there!

Paul Edgecomb: Can he carry a tune, Hal?

Hal Moores: [chuckles] Okay, boys. Okay. Now, what in the hell happened?

Paul Edgecomb: An execution. A successful one.

Hal Moores: How in the name of Christ, can you call that a success?

Paul Edgecomb: Eduard Delacroix is dead. [turns to Percy] Isn't he?

Hal Moores: Percy. Something to say?

Percy Wetmore: I didn't know the sponge was supposed to be wet.

Hal Moores: [disgusted] How many years you spend pissing on the toilet seat before someone told you to put it up?

Paul Edgecomb: Percy fucked up, Hal. Pure and simple.

Hal Moores: That's your official position?

Paul Edgecomb: Don't you think it should be? He's putting in for a transfer request to Briar Ridge tomorrow? Moving on to bigger and better things. Isn't that right, Percy?

Percy Wetmore: Yeah.

---

[Paul has the men over for lunch, as he hatches his plan for Moores' terminally-ill wife]

Paul Edgecomb: You all saw what he did to the mouse.

Brutus Howell: I coulda gone the rest of the day without you bringin' that up.

Dean: I coulda gone the rest of the year.

Paul Edgecomb: He did the same thing to me. He put his hands on me...and he took my bladder infection away.

Jan Edgecomb: It's true. When he came home that day, he was... [pauses and half-smiles] all better. [Paul gives her a sly look]

Dean: Aw, wait. You're talkin' about a...an authentic healin'? A praise-Jesus miracle?

Paul Edgecomb: I am.

Jan Edgecomb: [barely suppressing a grin] Oh, yeah.

Brutus Howell: Well, if you say, I accept it. What's it got to do with us?

Jan Edgecomb: You're thinking about Melinda.

Brutus Howell: Melinda? Melinda Moores?

Jan Edgecomb: Yes Paul. You really think you can help her?

Paul Edgecomb: It's not a bladder infection. Or even a busted mouse. But there might be a chance.

Harry Terwiliger: Hold on, now. You're talking about our jobs. Sneak a sick woman into a cellblock?

Paul Edgecomb: Oh, no. Hal would never stand for that. You know him. He wouldn't believe anything if it fell on him.

Brutus Howell: So you're talking about taking John Coffey to her? [Paul nods] That's more than just our jobs, Paul. That's prison time, we get caught.

Dean: Dang right it is.

Paul Edgecomb: No, not for you, Dean. The way I figure it, you stay back on the mile. That way you can deny everything.

Dean: Why do I have to stay behind?

Paul Edgecomb: Well, our boy's grown up. He's gone off to school. Harry's girls, they're married now. Brutal's a single man. You're the only one here with two children, and another one on the way.

Harry Terwiliger: Let's not discuss this as if we're thinking of doing it. Brutal, help me out here.

Brutus Howell: I'm sure she's a fine Woman.

Jan Edgecomb: The finest.

Paul Edgecomb: What is happening to her is an offense, Brutal. To the eye, to the ear, and to the heart.

Brutus Howell: I have no doubt. But we don't know her like you and Jan do. Do we?

Harry Terwiliger: And let's not forget, John Coffey is a "murderer". What if he escapes? I'd hate to lose my job or go to prison...but I'd hate worse to have a dead child on my conscience.

Paul Edgecomb: I don't think that's gonna happen. In fact... I don't think he did it at all. I do not see God putting a... gift like that, in the hands of a man who could kill a child.

Harry Terwiliger: Well, that's a very tender notion, but the man is on death row for the crime. And plus...he's huge. If he tried to get away, it'd take a lot of bullets to stop him.

Brutus Howell: We'd all have shotguns. In addition to side arms. I'd insist on that. If he tried anything, anything at all... we'd have to take him down. You understand? So...tell us what you had in mind?

---

[Percy is in his office reading a book about caring for mental patients, when Paul, Brutal and Harry enter the room]

Percy Wetmore: What is this?

Paul Edgecomb: [opens up the straightjacket] Payback.

Brutus Howell: That's right.

Percy Wetmore: [Frantically throws the book away and tries to flee, but Brutal and Harry restrain him and remove his belt] YOU LET ME GO! LET GO OF ME! What are you doing? [Paul finds that Percy was actually reading a Miss Lotta Leadpipe comic and hid it in the book. He mockingly shows it to a restrained Percy]

Paul Edgecomb: Miss Lotta Leadpipe

Brutus Howell: [Mockingly] Oh, Percy, what would your mother say?

Percy Wetmore: You let go of me, you ignoramus! I know people! Big people!

Paul Edgecomb: Percy [holds up the straightjacket] stick out your arms like a good lad.

Percy Wetmore: No, I won't do it. You can't make me.

Brutus Howell: You're dead wrong about that, you know. [pinches Percy's ears, causing him to scream in pain] You gonna put your arms up? Huh?

Paul Edgecomb: A big man is ripping your ears off, Percy. I'd do as he says. There you go. [They put Percy in the straightjacket]

Percy Wetmore: Please, Paul. Please, don't put me in with Wild Bill, please don't.

Paul Edgecomb: [disgusted by Percy's cowardly and pathetic plea] You would think that.

Percy Wetmore: No, no, you can't do this to me. You can't--[Brutal puts a washcloth in his mouth]

Paul Edgecomb: I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, Percy. We can [puts tape on his mouth] and we are. [Paul and Brutal throw Percy in the dark padded room] We'll give you a few hours of quiet time, so you can reflect on what you did to Del.

Brutus Howell: And if you ever get lonely, just think about Miss Leadpipe. [Paul throws the Miss Lotta Leadpipe comic into the cell and lock Percy into the darkness]

---

[Paul and Brutal return to the padded room and turn the light on. Paul and Brutal kneel down to talk to Percy]

Paul Edgecomb: Now. I wanna talk, not shout. If I take that tape off, are you gonna be calm? [Percy nods]

Brutus Howell: My mother always says you do it fast it won't hurt so much. [Paul removes the tape from Percy's mouth, causing him to moan in pain] Guess she was wrong. [Brutal removes the washcloth from Percy's mouth]

Percy Wetmore: Let me out of this nut coat!

Paul Edgecomb: In a minute.

Percy Wetmore: Now! Right now! I WANT OUT NOW! [Paul slaps Percy across the face. Brutal brings him back up against the wall]

Paul Edgecomb: Shut up and listen. Now, you deserved to be punished for what you did to Del. You accept it like a man, or we'll make you sorry you were ever born. We'll tell people how you sabotaged Del's execution.

Percy Wetmore: Sabotaged?

Paul Edgecomb: How you pissed yourself like a frightened little girl. Yes, we will talk. But, Percy, you mind me now. We'll also see you beaten within an inch of your life. We know people, too, are you so foolish you don't realize that? Let bygones be bygones. Nothing's hurt so far but your pride. And nobody need ever know about that except the people in this room.

Brutus Howell: What happens on the mile stays on the mile. Always had.

Percy Wetmore: [in a more polite tone] May I be let out of this coat now? [Paul and Brutal stand him back up and remove his straightjacket] My things? [Harry gives Percy his belt and nightstick back]

Paul Edgecomb: Think it over Percy.

Percy Wetmore: Oh, I intend to. I intend to think it over very hard. Starting right now. [exits the padded room]

---

Paul Edgecomb: John? I have to tell you something very important now.

John Coffey: I know what you gonna say. Don't have to say it.

Paul Edgecomb: No, I do. I do have to say it. John... tell me what you want me to do. You want me to take you out of here? Just let you run away, see how far you could get?

John Coffey: [scornfully] Why would you do such a foolish thing?

Paul Edgecomb: [voice shaking] On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I...did I kill one of his true miracles — what am I gonna say? That it was my job? [disgustedly] It was my job.

John Coffey: You tell God the Father it was the kindness you done. [puts his hand on Paul's wrung ones] I know you hurtin' and worryin', I can feel it on you. But you oughta quit on it now. I want it over and done with, I do. [sighs] I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we's going to or coming from, or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. [tears begin to roll down his face] I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day. There's too much of it — it's like pieces of glass in my head, all the time. Can you understand?

Paul Edgecomb: Yes, John, I think I can.

Brutus Howell: Well, there must something we can do for you, John. There must be something that you want.

John Coffey: I ain't never seen me a flicker show.

---

Paul Edgecomb: I think Mr. Jingles happened by accident. I think when we electrocuted Del, and it all went so badly... well, John can feel that you know... and I think a part of... whatever magic was inside of him just slipped into my tiny friend here. As for me, John had to give me a part of himself; a gift the way he saw it, so that I could see for myself what Wild Bill had done. When John did that; when he took my hand, a part of the power that worked through him spilled into me.

Elaine Connelly He what? He... infected you with life?

Paul Edgecomb: That's as good a word as any. He infected us both, didn't he, Mr. Jingles? With life. I'm 108 years old, Elaine. I was 44 the year that John Coffey walked The Green Mile. You mustn't blame John. He couldn't help what happened to him... he was just a force of nature. Oh, I've lived to see some amazing things Ellie. Another century come to past, but I've... I've had to see my friends and loved ones die all through the years... Hal and Melinda, Brutus Howell, my wife, my boy. And you Elaine. You'll die too, And my curse is knowing that I'll be there to see it. It's my atonement, you see — it's my punishment for lettin' John Coffey ride the lightning. For killing a miracle of God. You'll be gone like all the others, and I'll have to stay. Oh, I'll die eventually; of that, I'm sure. I have no illusions of immortality. But I will have wished for death long before Death finds me. In truth, I wish for it already. I lie in bed most nights thinking about it, and I wait. I think about all the people I've loved, now long gone. I think about my beautiful Jan, how I lost her so many years ago, and I think about all of us. Walking our own Green Mile, each in our own time. But one thought, more than any other, keeps me awake most nights. If he could make a mouse live so long... how much longer do I have? We each owe a death — there are no exceptions. But, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long.

Taglines

• Miracles happen in the most unexpected places.
• Paul Edgecomb didn't believe in miracles. Until the day he met one.
• Miracles do happen.

Cast

• Tom Hanks — Paul Edgecomb
• David Morse — Brutus "Brutal" Howell
• Bonnie Hunt — Jan Edgecomb
• Michael Clarke Duncan — John Coffey
• James Cromwell — Warden Hal Moores
• Doug Hutchison — Percy Wetmore
• Sam Rockwell — "Wild Bill" Wharton
• Michael Jeter — Eduard "Del" Delacroix
• Barry Pepper — Dean Stanton
• Jeffrey DeMunn — Harry Terwilliger
• Patricia Clarkson — Melinda Moores
• Harry Dean Stanton — Toot-Toot
• Dabbs Greer — Old Paul Edgecomb
• Eve Brent — Elaine Connelly

External links

Encyclopedic article on The Green Mile (film) on Wikipedia

• The Green Mile quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• The Green Mile at Rotten Tomatoes