Many great books have been turned into films over the years. But not every adaptation has been a success. Some struggle to capture the story properly or they don’t have the same emotional effect. However, some movies have been able to elevate books even more on the big screen.
One example that continues to impress audiences is a film based on a Stephen King novel. The book was originally released in six volumes before being republished as a single story and went on to win the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel in 1996. It has been described as the “saddest book” ever written by many readers, and the film adaptation has been called one of the “most heartbreaking” of all time.
The story follows Paul Edgecombe, a death row prison guard during the Great Depression, and John Coffey, an inmate accused of raping and killing two girls. But Coffey, despite his simple mind and gentle nature, shows that he has mysterious healing powers which both amaze and terrify those around him. The guards cannot free him from his sentence, but they help him use his gift to heal others. In the end, what happens to Coffey has left generations of audiences devastated.
That film is The Green Mile, released in 1999 and directed by Frank Darabont. It stars Tom Hanks as Edgecombe and Michael Clarke Duncan as Coffey, with support from David Morse, Sam Rockwell, and Bonnie Hunt.
The movie was a huge success on release, taking $286.8 million at the box office from a $60 million budget. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Duncan, and today holds a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stephen King himself said he was impressed by the adaptation, even if he felt it was “a little soft” in places. “I like to joke with Frank that his movie was really the first R-rated Hallmark Hall of Fame production,” King said.
“For a story that is set on death row, it has a really feel-good, praise-the-human condition sentiment to it. I certainly don’t have a problem with that because I am a sentimentalist at heart.”
Taste of Cinema ranked the film at number five on its list of the saddest movies of all time, writing: “Cited as featuring one of the saddest endings in movie history, The Green Mile would be a grave omission for a list on this topic.”
Fans have shared similar feelings for years. One wrote: “A great masterpiece of a film, The Green Mile is wonderfully acted and very sad.”
Another added: “The Green Mile was truly a masterpiece and I will forever remember this movie as something that truly astonished me.”
A third viewer said: “This is the saddest movie I have ever watched. But, it’s not just sad. It’s a really amazing movie. Tom Hanks’ performance is great. It is an absolute must watch.”
Another review read: “Top 50 movies of all time. If you’ve never seen it, you need to watch it. You have to watch it. It’s amazing.”
Many agreed it stands among the greatest ever made. “One of the best movies of all time. I read the book later. One of Stephen King’s best,” one person wrote.
Another fan added: “One of the very few films that are superior to the book, and we are talking about Stephen King, probably one of the best writers in the world. Brilliant!”
Others focused on its emotional impact. “Prepare to be both moved and devastated by this film. The Green Mile is an instant classic in my eyes and one of the most emotionally powerful movies I have ever viewed.”
“The best of Stephen King, both book and film,” another said.
One fan admitted: “Must have watched it six times. Always cry. But there is a great lesson for everyone in there.”
Another agreed: “I think it’s one of the most beautiful yet saddest and tragic films of all time. It’s so beautifully made. They don’t make films like that anymore.”
The book has the same effect on people. One person wrote: “I read a few sad books before, but The Green Mile was the very first book that made me cry. It’s just the saddest book. As a result, the film made me weep uncontrollably too.”
The Green Mile is available to stream on Prime Video.