Remake The Green Mile

[79trm]

First I want to say the book was absolutely awesome! It was so full of suspense and emotions. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh most of the time. It was an incredible book. I even posted on my facebook page that I just read the best book ever. That's when people started telling me about the movie. I was so excited to watch it.

Then when I watched it I was very disappointed. It lacked all the emotions captured in the book. It left out sceens. It moved sceens around. It was just very disappointing.

I wonder if you have ever thought of remaking the movie. The actor who played John Coffey was ok but he looked too mean. When I read the book I was picturing a very big black guy who looked harmless but because he was black he was mistaken for the killer. And Tom Hanks was not the best actor to play Paul. I knew that before I even watched the movie. Del was good and so was Wild Bill but the movie didn't let us get to know Del the way the book did and his accent was too fake. When I read the book I was sad when Del was executed. The movie didn't capture that. And the story of the mouse needed to be used more in the movie. The mouse played a huge part in the book but not so much in the movie. I think you should consider a remake using different actors-even if they are not well known actors-to get the charactors right. And what happened to Brad Dolan? He may not have been a big part of the book but he helped tell the story.

I also think a great theme song for a remake could be Daughtry's song called No Surprise. Every time I hear that song I think of the book and it reminds me of all the emotions I felt while reading it.

I don't really expect you to remake this movie just because I didn't like it. But it would be nice to see a new version. I see that the people on here loved the movie and I wonder how many of the actually read the book. I know the movie would have to be very long to capture everything that was in the book. But I watched Rose Red-how long was that, like 5 hours. It was a great story. This movie could have been so much better. I was kind of embarrassed because I told my husband how great the book was. I said if the movie is as good as the book I'll be crying like a baby before it's all over. Unfortunately it wasn't.

Please consider remaking this movie with a better producer and better actors for the charactors.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB.

Read the book in monthly parts and several re-reads since.

Couldn't disagree more, LOVE the movie!

Long days and pleasant nights

[rjt65]

AWJDS (and what JD said) I loved loved the movie --still do!

the acting was superb and I loved john Coffey. portrayed by one of the largest dudes u will ever see, and yet so gentle --he did a gr8 job... and no need IMO for remake ..

different strokes as they say..but think most like the movie

cheers

[AndyDufresne]

What, are you kidding? The Green Mile is one of the best adaptations ever (not just Stephen King), and a great film. You should stop expecting a carbon copy of the book, when you're watching an adaptation. Something like that will never happen. Small characters like Brad Dolan aren't even that important in the novel, so why should they be included in the movie? People already get Paul is essentially walking his own Mile. They don't need to see a 'Percy' character to get that explained.
Every actor was great in his role, especially Michael Clarke Duncan. If you didn't cry at the end or feel sad for Del at his execution I honestly don't know what to say to you. Instead of wanting people who liked it to read the book again, you should watch the film again a little less biased.

[pamela32824]

I agree. I loved the movie. I don't think they could have done any better. Of course, movies are NEVER as good as Mr. Kings books!

[danie]

Loved the book! Loved the movie!
How can you not cry when John Coffey heals the warden Hal Moore's wife, and they're talking about her x-rays, and Paul says to Hall, "There was no tumor." When the warden breaks down, looking at his beautiful, healed wife, I always bawl my eyes out.
Beautiful interpretation and acting, IMO.

[79trm]

I didn't really expect anyone to agree with me. I'm just stating my opinion. It seems like I'm the only one who really didn't care for the movie version :grinning: Even friends here at home think I'm nuts. I now feel like Elane on Seinfeld when she disagreed with everyone about a movie. I'm not trying to offend anyone, especially Mr. King himself. I was just so disappointed after watching this movie. I wanted to find out if anyone felt the same way. So far I'm still an outcast :biggrin2:

[GBPack1]

I wanted to find out if anyone felt the same way.

I don't think you'll have much luck :wink2:
I have to completely disagree with you. I loved the movie! Glad to see you're at least holding strong on your opinion though.

[bopropadop]

I didn't really expect anyone to agree with me. I'm just stating my opinion. It seems like I'm the only one who really didn't care for the movie version :grinning: Even friends here at home think I'm nuts. I now feel like Elane on Seinfeld when she disagreed with everyone about a movie. I'm not trying to offend anyone, especially Mr. King himself. I was just so disappointed after watching this movie. I wanted to find out if anyone felt the same way. So far I'm still an outcast :biggrin2:

You're not an outcast! Just a lone voice in this case... Keep on posting and keep expressing your opinion. We all benefit from the ensuing discussion.

[JosephDurham]

Nothing wrong at all with having a difference of opinion, but I have to say. . . . . . the movie rocks!

[~Ally~]

You are definitely not an outcast, and I can't imagine you have offended anyone by having a differing opinion. We are ALL entitled to our own views here.

As for remaking the movie, all I can say is NO!! :laugh:
This is one of my favourite movies, I believe all the actors portrayed their chosen characters excellently. No movie is ever going to mirror the novel exactly, yet this is by far one of the best adaptations of an Uncle Steve novel IMO.

[aspergillus]

Each to his own and this movie is spot on.

[Jake Featherston]

I liked the book very much (I read it in the original chapter book format, and I even entered a couple of the writing contests - remember those?), but wasn't a huge fan of the movie. It was pretty good, but nothing special.

[luckygehrig]

I agree with most everyone else. The movie was one of the best adaptations of a book that I've ever seen and I thought all of the actors were great as well.

[mgencarelli]

I think that a remake of this movie is unnecessary, especially since it is barely 10 years old and it was done well the first time around!!

[dwalters]

I have to agree with the majority on this one. Many of King's film and tv adaptations completely butcher the original story, but this one was executed - pun intended ;) - extremely well. There were very few parts of the story that were changed or left out and I thought all of the actors were spot on choices for their respective characters. As for emotional impact, I get teared up just thinking of Coffey's execution scene when Tom Hanks has to give the order to roll on two and can barely bring himself to say it, and the rage I felt towards Percy when he squashed Mr. Jingles right in front of Del, man, very few movies have managed to get to me like this one did. As others have said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it's hard for me to even imagine being disappointed in this movie.

[meeno68]

I absolutely loved the book and the movie. The Green Mile has to be my all time favorite Stephen King novel. The Green Mile and the story Shawshank Redemption are the only two stories that I have ever seen that were almost like his books and I've seen a lot of Stephen King movies and read a lot of his novels.

[Turd Ferguson]

I watched The Green Mile again today, and I must say that it still holds up well ten years after its initial release. I still think that the movie itself and Michael Clarke Duncan got robbed at the Oscars the year the were nominated. :grr:

[doowopgirl]

I loved The Green Mile book and film. There were some changes, but not major ones. I think the changes in the film were better visually, like getting John Coffey to the flickers. I just finished re reading it and it made me cry in several places. I still saw, in my head, the film and was not dissappointed with the comparisons. Watch it again, a second viwing may change your mind.

[michal]

I enjoyed the movie very much, I thought Tom Hanks was brilliant for his role and I like the faced the John Coffee actor looked mean. If he'd look sweet and gentle, what would be the surprise finding out he was so softhearted? But hey - I totally get how a film can really seem lousy after reading the book it was based on. Books simply work better - because they use our own imagination for casting.

[nikkij124]

You are definitely not an outcast, and I can't imagine you have offended anyone by having a differing opinion. We are ALL entitled to our own views here.

As for remaking the movie, all I can say is NO!! :laugh:
This is one of my favourite movies, I believe all the actors portrayed their chosen characters excellently. No movie is ever going to mirror the novel exactly, yet this is by far one of the best adaptations of an Uncle Steve novel IMO.

my sentiments exactly well said :smile2: :smile2:

[marew1]

The movie is terrific. Leave well enough alone!

[Bryan James]

Let's remake 'Top Gun' with a new soundtrack while we're at it?

~BJS

[Craig Zadow]

You should stop expecting a carbon copy of the book, when you're watching an adaptation. Something like that will never happen.

I beg to differ. Coppola's adaptation of "The Outsiders" was word for freaking word. Not saying that as a possitive that movie felt pointless cause it was like "well I already read the book...." I agree that you should not expect a carbon copy and appreciate the adaption for what it is and enjoy it on it's own. Loyalty to the tone, theme and idea of the novel is way more important which Darabounts "The Green Mile" got right.

[AndyDufresne]

I beg to differ. Coppola's adaptation of "The Outsiders" was word for freaking word. Not saying that as a possitive that movie felt pointless cause it was like "well I already read the book...." I agree that you should not expect a carbon copy and appreciate the adaption for what it is and enjoy it on it's own. Loyalty to the tone, theme and idea of the novel is way more important which Darabounts "The Green Mile" got right.

That's the point I was trying to make. If you try to replicate the book, it will only be more disturbing in the end. Either because it's a replica, or because it misses the point. Thankfully Darabont doesn't fall into that trap. Can you imagine how The Shawshank Redemption would've ended up without the theme of 'institutionalization' being much stronger than it ever was in the short story? It'd be horrible.

[Ma Kin]

People think Michael Clarke Duncan looks mean? I think he looks like huge, squishy, teddy bear. I always wanna pinch his cheeks every time I see him. I thought he looked more sad than mean during that whole movie.

[Adrian]

I loved the movie too.
Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors.

[Srbo]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB.

Read the book in monthly parts and several re-reads since.

Couldn't disagree more, LOVE the movie!

Long days and pleasant nights

AWJS.

They can`t make it better, no way.

And how would you fit a Daughtry song into a movie that`s for the most part happening in the 30-ties ?

[Smikes]

The Green Mile, along with Shawshank and Stand By Me, is one of the best movies adapted from King's work. I just wish Hollywood would get around to hiring the same level of talent for his more horrifying stories.

- Smikes

[shamrock jan]

How anyone can ever say that 'The Green Mile' needs to be remade has totally not read the book properly or watched the film in depth. The book was totally awesome and one of the best books to be written while the film just brought the book to life. Michael Clark Duncan as John Coffey was brilliant, you really couldn't pick a better person to play the part, the same can be said for Tom Hanks. Infact, I have watched the film 32 times now and thought everyone involved acted brilliantly, 32 times and absolutely broke my heart each time, not just when John Coffey was executed either.
I can honestly say that 'The Green Mile' is one of the best films I have ever had the privelege to see.

[Smikes]

Interesting that you keep that close a track on the number of times you've watched a film. Do you do that with all of them? Feeling a bit OCD are we? LOL I like The Green Mile (both film and story) quite a lot, but I only felt it necessary to read the story once and watch the film in its entirety maybe three or four times (I watch films multiple times when showing them to friends or family). *32* times? I cannot fathom having the desire to watch anything short of my favorite porno movie more than a dozen times...and even then...when there are so many to choose from...which character in the Green Mile "does it for you", then? I'm also wondering how many times have you watched The Wizard of Oz... :P

Live, love, laugh & be happy,
Smikes

[Derrboy]

The only thing I would change about the movie would be to put in the scene from the book where Paul and his wife are riding on the bus and, because of the weather, it loses control and crashes. Paul's wife is hurt and mortally wounded. He sees John in the distance and cries for him to help, but it's just a figment of his imagination; and he knows it. To me, that was the big climactic "wow" moment of the book (or books) When Paul realizes what he's done and knows that because of his actions he is now alone, to watch his wife die.

[Twilight2388]

79trm,
If you ever find a movie that measures up 100% to a book let me know!!!! While I loved the movie I agree the book was better ...especially if you had to wait month to month for each chapter like I did! The closest I have ever seen a movie get to a book was The Shawshank Redemption. I love it when others have a difference of opinion it opens the door to a discussion and sometimes you end up learning something you didn't know, or you are blessed with a new way to look at something!

[Antony butterworth]

Hello fans of the king

this is an awsome film theres no need for remake

[GillianR]

It would be ludicrous to remake this movie. It has an incredible cast and a screenplay and direction that keep it really close to the original SK story. I can't actually think of any movie made from a Stephen King book that has been so faithfully and skilfully made. Hands off! No remake could ever cap this.

[SharonaZamboni]

I don't go out to movies often, but I've never seen a reaction like the one from the audience at The Green Mile...absolute silence as the theater slowly emptied. Very well done. The book is even better. It's one of the two books my husband has read in the 26 years I've known him...he read it because of the movie!

[gunslingerdude]

This was one of my favorite movies ever. I have seen it many times.
The Only reason i would want to see a remake would be to have the enjoyment of watching it, but will always treasure the original film.

[Rachelklotz]

No need to remake it, it's a fantastic movie the way it is!

[ssimons123]

Best movie ever made. It should have won the Oscar for Best Picture and Hanks should have won for Best Actor. Frank for better director!!!

[DaveN]

First I want to say the book was absolutely awesome! It was so full of suspense and emotions. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh most of the time. It was an incredible book. I even posted on my facebook page that I just read the best book ever. That's when people started telling me about the movie. I was so excited to watch it.

Then when I watched it I was very disappointed. It lacked all the emotions captured in the book. It left out sceens. It moved sceens around. It was just very disappointing.

I wonder if you have ever thought of remaking the movie. The actor who played John Coffey was ok but he looked too mean. When I read the book I was picturing a very big black guy who looked harmless but because he was black he was mistaken for the killer. And Tom Hanks was not the best actor to play Paul. I knew that before I even watched the movie. Del was good and so was Wild Bill but the movie didn't let us get to know Del the way the book did and his accent was too fake. When I read the book I was sad when Del was executed. The movie didn't capture that. And the story of the mouse needed to be used more in the movie. The mouse played a huge part in the book but not so much in the movie. I think you should consider a remake using different actors-even if they are not well known actors-to get the charactors right. And what happened to Brad Dolan? He may not have been a big part of the book but he helped tell the story.

I also think a great theme song for a remake could be Daughtry's song called No Surprise. Every time I hear that song I think of the book and it reminds me of all the emotions I felt while reading it.

I don't really expect you to remake this movie just because I didn't like it. But it would be nice to see a new version. I see that the people on here loved the movie and I wonder how many of the actually read the book. I know the movie would have to be very long to capture everything that was in the book. But I watched Rose Red-how long was that, like 5 hours. It was a great story. This movie could have been so much better. I was kind of embarrassed because I told my husband how great the book was. I said if the movie is as good as the book I'll be crying like a baby before it's all over. Unfortunately it wasn't.

Please consider remaking this movie with a better producer and better actors for the charactors.


1. Scenes..the word is Scenes.
2. Character.
3. What? Are you actually serious? Remake it with better actors? Im all ears if you have any suggestions on who could possibly play the parts better than the people who played them in the adaptation? Im so beyond baffled right now...it is without a doubt one of the best adaptations in the history of film!

Honestly, not trying to dig at you here, but this is the first time ive ever heard anyone even come close to complain about the movie! For me, an adaptation works if it stays loyal to the book,and expresses everything meant to express in the book. Which IMO The Green Mile did brilliantly.
Yes scenes were cut out...this is something that happens in film...they cut out things that viewers might find boring or unnecassary to moving the film along (not saying anything cut out was boring, but was certainly unecassary to the development of the film.)

Im all for one stating opinions...but how could they make that movie any better?
Michael Clark Duncan, yeah he's big, but that doesnt mean he looks mean, have you ever seen that dude smile? ITS THE BIGGEST HAPPIEST SMILE EVER!
Tom Hanks is one of the most celebrated actors of all time...i cant think of any movies he's been in where tom hanks 'didnt work'.
What actors would you prefer?
What directors would you prefer?

[Murashi]

No one can play that better as Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.
So i say we dont need a new version!

[sandiego39]

i would agree the movie was very good the chose the best guy to play john coffey

[Drumbum]

Great movie, better book. Leave it alone says I. Can anyone say Halloween?

[Mr. Jingles]

I don't think I would change a thing in this movie. The actors, the script, how the story played out. It was awesome from beginning to end, IMO.

[M2H]

I really hope they don't remake The Green Mile...it's bad enough they are already remaking good, classic movies to begin with...oh i'm sorry, the more PC term to use is "re-imaging."...that's like change The Green Mile's setting to New York City in the year 2009, and have it be Riker's Island instead...have John Coffey be a midget, and Percy be the good guy, and Delicroux be from the hood.

[bhill]

Nah! Leave the movie alone; still have to actually read the book though.

[Diamondfire]

I have to say before I post this I totally appreciate you voicing your own opinion it gives us all a chance to voice are's :) .
The Green mile movie was actually the factor that sparked my original interest in Stephen Kings work as so it still hold's strong to my favorite slot. When I first saw the movie I didn't even realize it was derived from a book so it could easily stand alone as its own entity for me. I had to do some research to actually discover it was a book at all.
I do however agree with you in the fact that as usual I found the book to be even better than the movie. Much more descriptive & loved the extra ending part with Mr. Jingles & Elaine.

[mr.jingles120]

i thought both book and movie were great :cool2:

[*Iris*]

Although my personal opinion is that books are always better than movies*as we are inside the characters' mind*, I have heard for Green Mile, that the movie was just like the book. I' ve seen the movie -which I found wonderful- and I intent to read the book very soon so I can find out by myself if that's truth or not :grinning:

[annetacey]

You cant remake the Green Mile, it would lose its appeal. Same as E.T or The Goonies or Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Leave the originals alone (unless they are crap then remake all u want!!)

[kitten32]

i totally agree, the movie was pretty good and i even liked tom hanks as an actor in the movie. everybody
has their opinions on there fav's when it comes to stephen king's movies or books but i know i want to own
the green mile movie when i go to a bookstore that carrys movies...... stephen king, keep up the good work.

kitten32

[TJLamb0518]

N00b here and I have to say, King and Darabont seem to be a perfect team. King brings amazing stories to life and Darabont brings those stories to film. If anything, don't remake the Green Mile and have Darabont remake every other movie of SKs' that has hit the screen.


Except the Stand. I was overwhelmingly pleased how that came out (and shocked too).

[Sigmund]

No way, no remake. I have noticed that SK paints a picture for me that is so real and vivid for me that after I see the movie I could pass a lie detector test swearing I saw the characters in the movie doing something that was written in the book but was never actually in the movie.

[GNTLGNT]

No, never feel like an outcast. Just because you have a dissenting opinion does not make you wrong. I agree that the movie didn't fulfill all my expectations either, but I still loved it! That's the thing about movies-very seldom do they hit a common thread of imagination among thousands of people and that's wonderful that they don't. Can you imagine how predictable and pathetic that would be? Dear God! None of us see the same things in our minds eye and that's why our Inkslinger's wordsmithing is so wonderful, because his tapestry is so rich and allows the unmitigated joy of our own imaging. I have watched many of Sai King's movies-but rarely did they hit exactly what I had "seen" while reading-no biggie, there was still enjoyment and it allowed me to see someone else's take on my favorite world(s).

[Gavvo1976]

Deffo in my top 5 of the very best King adaptions. I remember buying the books once a month when first released - I still have them. I absolutely loved the story, but this is one of the rare times where I thought the movie was even better, same with The Shawshank Redemption. (It can't just be a Darabont thing cos I much prefer the film version of Carrie to the book)

Everytime I watch The Green Mile I cry my heart out! It's seeing Mr Jingles at the end that does it every time!!

[bookpublishers]

I don't think anyone could play Tom Hanks prison warden role - or I can't think of a better actor. I LOVE Tom Hanks, he handles the part with such sensitivity - who could play him better?

James

[randallFlaggfan1]

Re-make The Green Mile? No way!
It's one of my favorite films of all-time, and definitely the best Sai King adaptations.
I'm sorry that you were disapponted..

[kittykiller]

I have to say that no the movie never realy matches the book and I have relized that you have to just accept the fact that there are things tat have to be left out do to content. but the movie was great and the book i have to say was a greater story of course.

[Tonka]

Nope. The movie is perfect and even better on BluRay. It kept to the lines of the book and I can't fault either. The only difference I noticed from the book to the movie is when they took John out and he says he can see them. The previous people that had been executed. Though in the film it works just as well when he looks up at the stars and says do you see the two sisters I think is what he said. Works just as well if not better. Any other differences has anyone noticed? Perfect story and excellent characters. How does SK do it? He has me gripped every time I read one of his books.

[SKEMERGrrl]

The movie rocked. One of the few that got it right. Amazed me that the actor I pictured while reading the book actually ended up playing Delacroix. That like never happens for me and just made it 10x better. Also pictured Harry Dean Stanton in it but then how could you not?

[Bubonic]

I originally saw this movie about 10 years ago right after I read the book, a book that had deeply moved me, brought me to tears a few times... And like the thread starter, I was at the time quite disastisfied with the movie. I didn't touch me the same way, the characters didn't resonate with me as much, especially Del and Percy. I was particularly sore about Percy, felt I didn't get to hate him as much in the film.

That being said, I was 16-17 then, and last night I rewatched it for the first time and was completely blown away. The movie captivated me and moved me and I suddenly had a deep wish that no one else would touch King properties save for Darabont.

Of all the King adaptations that DESPERATELY deserve remakes, this one should stand the test of time as the definitive Green Mile adaptation.

[guido tkp]

late to the game, but...79trm is quite right, imho: movie was not a very good representation of this great tale.
in fact, it bored me.
something the book never did.
have tried to rewatch it, but to no avail....for me, it simply does not click on any and every level. sorry.

[Rapunzel]

I agree that this movie is right on -- Darabont outdid himself with this one. Amazing piece of work.

[Sigmund]

I really loved the movie. I rented it when it first came out and remember there were two tapes/discs (?) because it was so long. I thought, uh, oh, this may be a little too long for me. When the first tape/disc ended I thought, "No! I can't be halfway done! No!"
SK books are full of nuance and detail and are difficult to translate to a movie but this adaptation was one of the best. No need to remake it. And IMHO, impossible to improve on.
(BTW now that I have seen it, I cannot imagine any other actors in these roles.)

[Bryan James]

While we're at it, let's remake "To Kill A Mockingbird" starring Owen Wilson as 'Atticus.'

In another long word, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

[~Ally~]

Yeh, they could also remake "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with the kids from "Twilight" playing McMurphy and Nurse Ratched.
I'm sure that would be much more successful than the original--great--version.

"The Green Mile" can not possibly be improved upon, ever!

[nate_watkins]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! :wink2:

[tiger pride]

I thought the movie held as close to the story as any King adaption ever. I thought the Shining was the most scary. However it wasn't very much by-the-book.

[king family fan]

I loved Michael Clarke Duncan as john Coffey. I just fell in love with his character. iam a big fan of The Green Mile just loved the novel and the movie. Don't believe I care to see a remake! Just my own opinion of course.

[~Ally~]

Went to the movies last night and watched "The Adjustment Bureau"--Matt Damon--HUGE disappointment.
Came home and "The Green Mile" was on TV so I watched that...brilliant. No matter how many times I've seen it I'm never disappointed.
At least I saw one good movie last night.:smile2:

[blunthead]

I think as a general rule we can expect not to enjoy a movie based on a book we really adore. Two personal examples are Sphere, the movie of which I was seriously disappointed in, and The Princess Bride, which I felt came up short. With subsequent viewings these movies seem much better to me than the first time.

I have not read The Green Mile yet, and can't comment, other than to say what I've already said, except I know that The Green Mile movie is a very good movie. I think subsequent viewings of it only get better.

[guido tkp]

what with the very sad (and too early) passing of michael clarke duncan...i decided to give this one another go...i came away with a bit of a better apreciation for the movie ( i no longer am totally dismissive of it) and a better appreciation for duncans coffey: he comes very close to owning the character...

i still think hanks, as the other lead, brought out more of his bland, wishy-washy countenance than he usually does: when he has a strong director...one that understands character and motivation (jonathan demme..or, even, penny marshall)...he delivers top notch stuff...imho, not here, not this time

...and most of the rest of the cast, while top notch character actors, also seem seem adrift half the time...

and this leads me to my biggest sore point on this and a few other king adaptions: the director

i know...i know...so many of you absolutely love good ol' frank...everything he touches, king-wise, is golden to many, so does unka stevie (just like he loves that TV guy he over-uses)...

but darabount ??

well...he just literally bores me as a director...much the same exact way ron howard does...his choices, on so many levels, is so very safe: for me, he literally limits his actors by his consistent non-direction: his forte seems a sort of wistful aimlessness...his scriptwriting is way overrated...his lighting choices drive me bonkers; this thing is lit like a bad tv movie...

what's that you say ? frank brings no passion ??well...

franks been quoted as saying that 'the mist' should've been done as a B&W altogether...excuse me ?

so...why can't a major hollywood director (not to mention, one that, supposedly, has the 100% backing of one of the worlds pre-eminent authors - the author of the story being filmed) have the ability to just make it in 'real' B&W, anyway...they've done it numerous times...unless, of course, that same director just doesn't have the fire to push hard for it...

and that, for me , sums up darabount in a nutshell: some talent, no passion...and, for me at least, it shows in the performances he gets out of most of his actors in most of his movies

don't get me wrong...this isn't a bad film, but like shawshank...it's not as good as as could be given a powerful vision by a steadier, more thoughtful director

just my humble O...

[king family fan]

I think John Coffey was an awesume pick. I loved the movie and is one of my favorites.

[Lily Sawyer]

I disagree with you about Darabont, Guido, but not about Mick Garris. I think Darabont has a sensitivity and a knack for not stepping into the craptacular even while he's dealing with elements of the supernatural. It's easier for him to get a viewer to suspend disbelief than Garris, who übers virtually everything in his flicks.

I'm waiting for Steven Soderbergh or Ron Howard to tackle a King project. I think either of them could blast one right out of the water and do it justice.

[~Ally~]

don't get me wrong...this isn't a bad film, but like shawshank...it's not as good as as could be given a powerful vision by a steadier, more thoughtful director

just my humble O...

And you are entitled to your opinion. I personally wouldn't change a thing about this movie, or Shawshank. I'm always happy when I notice friends on sites like Facebook rating these movies amongst their favourites and I know they are definitely not fans of SK's work. These people have referred to them as "classics" that any generation can watch and enjoy numerous times and still feel an emotional response to...that says it all for me. I feel these movies could never be improved upon. :smile2:

[champ1966]

No movie makes me cry as much as The Green Mile does,here in Yorshire men normally only cry if they lose their wallet.There are a lot of turkey SK adaptions out there,but this isn't one of them

[mjs9153]

I think,just my own opinion,that in the Green Mile,the characters of Hanks and David Morse were understated just as they were in the book,which was part of the personality they were supposed to portray as death row guards..that is why the bad guys were kinda over the top,the guard was not suited to that type of work..Morse is really good at playing these types of roles,restrained but his face shows the pain,see "The Crossing Guard" and "The Indian Runner"..Hanks has no problem hamming it up tho,remember when he showed Lyndon Johnson his war wound in forrest gump?:grinning:heehee..

[guido tkp]

i fully agree that darbount is better than garris...i'll take frank any day over garris

and there hae been some truly awful king adaptions: TGM isn't one of those...but, for me, just like RH&TSR, it isn't quite as succeesful as an awful lot of the world sees it as being...and that's fine

just trying to kindly point out that there are legitimate reasons for fans of both cinema and king not to be in love with this movie, my friends

i believe i alluded to hanks having very good instincts and abilities..at times, given the right set of circumstances...and i don't feel he was even close to hamming it up...but i have to disagree that he and morse were very successful, if that's what they were going for, in being understaed...i understand that method...that's not what i came away with, in any of my viewings...

but, hey...to each his own

i do think ally is on to something, at least where Shawshank is concerned...i run into an awful lot of people who love that movie and cannot believe it is from king...kinda like people were about Stand By Me...all those years ago

now that was a great movie

[akaspar]

Totally agree with you on "Stand By Me" :) that's a classic.

You have a very well thought out opinion here :) but I'll say my opinion is different. Frank has a much better instinct than Garris when it comes to films based on King's work. I don't agree with every decision he makes, by far, as far as what he cuts and changes etc. but I do think he manages to "get it right" most of the time. Hanks's character especially, I was glad his delivery was pulled back to a big degree. Being such an icon he can sometimes overshadow a character with his own persona. In the case of the Green Mile I really, really think he brought the character of Paul Edgecomb to the screen wonderfully.

Michael Clarke Duncan's portrayal of John Coffey was nothing short of brilliant. This movie was the first that came to mind when I heard of his untimely passing, I really feel like he was blooming into one of the greatest actors of the current generation. Such a horrible loss to film.

Guido, great post :)

[guido tkp]

i totally agree on MCD's talent..he was awesome under a gorilla mask in burtons wildy uneven POTA remake...

and he is ...well...was a name i would actually seek out for distinctly great character acting...much like so many of the people in this film: anyone remember doug hutchison as the creepy killer from the first season or two of 'the x files'...he was the one that came out of hibernation every 40-50 years and gobbled up people...could squeeze through cracks in the walls...

[franette]

I respect your opinion but I love the movie. Greact acting by everyone. One of my favorite adaptations.

[champ1966]

I think as a general rule we can expect not to enjoy a movie based on a book we really adore. Two personal examples are Sphere, the movie of which I was seriously disappointed in, and The Princess Bride, which I felt came up short. With subsequent viewings these movies seem much better to me than the first time.



Debbie does Dallas the novel was rubbish,compared to the film

[mjs9153]

Hey Giuido,how are ya? I just wanted to say,I didn't mean Hanks hammed it up in tgm,not at all!Just that I have seen him do it before in other movies,thus I thought he was restrained,as was Morse,as the "reasonable"guards in the green mile..of course it is a period piece and God knows what went on back in the day,but to me those two were believable characters, what you would want in a death row,running the show,unless you want chaos every day..:grinning:

[twellwood70]

The movie was fantastic along with the actors, bravo!!

[Chris1974100]

when ever a novel or story will be made into a movie expect some deviation from the book

[not_nadine]

Debbie does Dallas the novel was rubbish,compared to the film

:laugh: stop.