10 heartbreaking moments in The Green Mile that still make us tear up

The Green Mile by Frank Darabont is a brutally realistic prison drama that was based on Stephen King’s novel. The epic film is not just a deeply emotional tale but also a thematic masterclass in tackling issues like humanity, justice, and the weight of compassion.

If you’re drawn to magical realism woven with profound emotional depth, The Green Mile might be the perfect choice. But if you decide to revisit it, be prepared—it has a way of reopening old wounds in the most hauntingly beautiful way.

What makes this movie a great watch is the star-studded cast, starting from Tom Hanks to the unforgettable Michael Clarke Duncan. These actors landed gut-wrenching acting punches, and they’ve rightfully carved a niche in pop culture memory.

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10 heartbreaking moments in The Green Mile that still make us tear up

1. John Coffey’s execution

Coffey is a character who is popularly known for his childlike innocence. As he enters Cold Mountain, viewers are glued to his journey, but his arc ends in execution. This departure leaves viewers thinking.

Paul Edgecomb sheds sorrowful tears at the helplessness of punishing someone who only ever healed and loved. The execution scene does not happen fast; it is dragged, and with each passing moment, the grief engulfs most intimately.

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2. Delacroix’s botched execution

When it comes to Eduard Delacroix, the most horrifying memory from the film involves his painful and horrifying execution scene. The scene is pure horror — Percy tampers and sabotages the procedure by wetting the sponge, which leads to a horrifying execution.

The guards and those around watch in absolute misery and helplessness as Del screams in pain, and the outcome is set in stone.

This brutal moment from The Green Mile marked the deliberate cruelty by Percy, who turns an already grim duty into a sadistic torture chamber.

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3. Mr. Jingles’ farewell

The Green Mile introduced a pet mouse by the name of Mr. Jingles, who, in the narrative, symbolizes hope and companionship in the otherwise grim world of the film. It was the pet mouse of Del. After his execution, the little mouse scurrying away is a subtle yet haunting reminder of the void left by Del’s departure.

The mouse lives on almost by some supernatural turn of fate, but even that small joy is faded by the absence of his beloved owner, making the cellblock feel vacant and even colder than before.

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4. Paul confessing the emotional toll

As years pass, we find an aged, waning Paul. Paul opens up about the weight of his memories — how he had to execute the innocent men and how this work has left him cursed with a painfully long life.

His emotional burden comes from a disturbing realization: that he was a witness to all the bad things that happened to good people. Most importantly, the tale of The Green Mile is structured upon his fragmented memories of the place. The viewers slowly realize that some scars never truly heal.

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5. The flashback of the murdered girls

One of the most horrifying scenes from The Green Mile is the chilling flashback of the murdered sisters. This scene is a haunting reminder of the injustice Coffey had to go through.

As he cradled the lifeless bodies of the murdered girls, Coffey was instantly condemned by societal prejudice. This scene is so emotionally scarring that it shocks viewers. The act of violence against children is compounded by the added bleakness that ensues from the execution of another innocent life.

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6. Brutal Beatings of Arlen Bitterbuck

If there is one scene on Arlen Bitterbuck that still stirs unpleasant emotions, it is the brutal beatings of Arlen Bitterbuck by the guards. This scene launches the viewers into a grim, dark moment.

On top of shocking the audience, the scene also offers a deep commentary on the systematic cruelty within the prison system and the dehumanization of those who live within the iron cells.

It is a moment that induces empathy for the prisoners, especially in a scenario where they are vulnerable.

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7. Coffey Healing Melinda Moores

In contrast to the bleak moments of The Green Miles, this moment is one of awe and wonder. The healing of Melinda Moore highlights two things: firstly, it showcases the immense, selfless power Coffey possesses, and secondly, it throws light on how this power could save more than just Melinda.

The scene raises questions about how we perceive actions when Coffey is ultimately punished for the healing. The tragic irony of the scene lies in how his powers are being misunderstood.

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8. The Guards' powerlessness against Percy:

Not only the prisoners but also the guards in The Green Miles sometimes have to live through unpleasant situations. One of the examples comes when Percy Wetmore unleashes his cruelty, leading to mounting frustration and anger in Paul, Brutus, and the other guards.

They are disturbed by Percy’s incompetence. They cannot remove him or prevent his malicious acts, particularly with Delacroix. This moment, though not tear-inducing, calls for deeper reflection.

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9. Wild Bill's arrival and terror

Wild Bill Wharton is a character who haunts the story of The Green Mile with his domineering presence and reign of terror.

His actions are profoundly disturbing, and his violent outbursts induce a tone of terror. His presence highlights how, within the prison walls, a brooding, horrifying tone is always lurking in plain sight.

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10. Paul suffers from loneliness:

The film's conclusive moments reveal how Paul Edgecomb suffers from a curse of unnaturally long life, and this long life is further plagued by a lingering guilt over Coffey's execution.

We see a man who outlives his beloved ones, including his wife and even Mr. Jingles. This scene leaves a scarring impact on the minds of the viewers and makes anyone tear up with empathy.

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What makes The Green Mile movie memorable

The film shook viewers with its unique treatment of a sensitive theme like death row. A death row is understood as a place meant for endings, but the film uses the theme to showcase some of the most life-affirming moments in cinema.

In this movie, Paul Edgecomb delivers a reflective narration, and John Coffey’s tragic journey makes the viewers pause and think. The plot constantly takes the viewers on a tug of war between hope and sorrow, but balances them beautifully.

Also read: 10 best Benedict Cumberbatch performances, ranked