The Green Mile tells the story of John Coffey, a giant of a man with a gentle heart, wrongly accused of murdering two young girls. Played by Michael Clarke Duncan, Coffey has a special gift: he can heal people by taking their pain into himself. But the world sees only his size and skin color, not his innocence. The film builds to his execution on death row, a moment that breaks hearts and questions justice. You can watch the full scene here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRpCqY11ThQ.
Paul Edgecomb, the head guard played by Tom Hanks, knows Coffey is innocent. He learns the truth when Coffey shows him memories of the real killer, a prisoner named Wharton. Still, Paul cannot stop the execution. He offers Coffey a chance to escape, but Coffey refuses. The constant suffering he feels from others has worn him out. He just wants peace. Before the end, Coffey asks to watch a movie for the first time. The guards show him Top Hat, and he smiles like a child.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Mile_(film).
On execution night, the guards walk Coffey down the green mile to the electric chair. A crowd watches, full of hate, still sure he is guilty. Coffey feels their anger like knives. He begs not to wear the hood. “I’m afraid of the dark,” he says softly. The guards, led by Paul and Brutus, agree out of mercy. They do not hood him. As the straps tighten, Coffey looks at Paul and whispers, “Please, boss. Don’t put that thing up on my face.” The priest reads the sentence. The switch throws. Sparks fly. Coffey’s body shakes, then stills. His last words are simple: “I’m in heaven.” Tears stream down the guards’ faces. They know they just killed a miracle.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRpCqY11ThQ.
This scene stands out because it shows Coffey’s pure soul against a broken system. Earlier, a botched execution of mouse-loving Del burns alive due to guard Percy Wetmore’s cruelty. Coffey feels that pain too. But his own death is calm, almost kind. The film, directed by Frank Darabont from Stephen King’s book, uses stillness to make it hit harder. No hood means we see Coffey’s eyes, full of light, right to the end.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPRz7wIGk3E.
Years later, old Paul wonders why he outlives others. Coffey’s gift left a mark that lingers.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Mile_(film)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRpCqY11ThQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPRz7wIGk3E
