Overview: Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this emotional film about miracles and the power of redemption stars Tom Hanks as prison guard Paul Edgecomb.

When John Coffey (Oscar nominee Michael Clarke Duncan), a giant of a man, is brought to death row, Edgecomb and his fellow guards discover something very unusual about him.

Convicted for the sadistic murder of two young girls, but behaving almost like a child himself, Coffey seems to have a supernatural gift of healing living things.

Expectations are turned upside down and the guards’ sense of humanity is awakened in this adaptation of Stephen Kings compelling novel.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Verdict: Warner Bros. is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the expertly crafted, and now wholly beloved The Green Mile in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this February 22nd, 2022.

For my money, this The Green Mile [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital] combo pack sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is The Green Mile presented to us as a two-disc combo pack with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: HDR10 Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 and Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1.

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable.

For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color; such as one of the opening scenes where handcuffed, and in the pouring rain, John Coffey is being escorted into the prison and, of course, the honey dewed healing ceremony featuring Patricia Clarkson.

Indeed, the picture enjoys the fruits of the added resolution in terms of bringing out the aforementioned extremely fine facial and some of the yellow graded material - notably the fine detail to the faces of both Hanks and Morse whenever they are discussing the big man inside the prison walls.

As for the audio, well we have a veritable smorgasbord of choice here: English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

As for the movie itself, well, as we all know by now, The Green Mile is another jailhouse movie adapted from a novel written by Stephen King. One that is not a horror movie although there are some gruesome scenes within.

Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is the head of a group of prison guards in charge of death row in a Louisiana State Prison. The story chronicles their day to day activities and interactions with the prisoners. One day a huge but mild mannered black prisoner John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) convicted of murdering two little girls. Smart ass guard Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchinson) makes fun of the giant.

Edgecomb and his co-workers Brutus Howell (David Morse), Dean Stanton (Barry Pepper) and Harry Terwilliger (Jeffrey DeMunn) along with Wetmore are charged with executing prisoners on their assigned date. A dry run with trustee Toot-Toot (Harry Dean Stanton) standing for the convicted prisoner is carried out to ensure that everything is in order. The first execution is that of Arlen Bitterbuck (Grahame Green) which is carried out according to law.

Later, a rebellious prisoner named Wild Bill Wharton (Sam Rockwell) is brought in. He is truly rotten and unrepentant. A small mouse is running rampant within the block. Wetmore promises to eliminate the rodent. However, another prisoner Eduard (Del) Delacroix (Michael Jeter) takes a liking to the mouse and names him Mr. Jingles.

Edgecomb has been suffering from a painful urinary disorder, Coffey and Edgecomb have developed a mutual respect for each other. One day Coffey grabs Edgecomb and for the want of a different term, mind melds with him. Edgecomb to his surprise discovers that the pain is gone and that he can one again function as a man, much to the delight of his wife Jan (Bonnie Hunt).

As Del’s execution date approaches, Mr. Jingles escapes and is crushed under the foot of Wetmore. Del is totally distraught but Coffey asks that the seemingly dead mouse be brought to him. He manages to revive the mouse much to the amazement of all.

Later, as Del is led away to the execution chamber, Wetmore plans a particularly gruesome finish for Del. Edgecomb and the others are upset of the way Del died but are unable to remove Wetmore due to his connections.

Warden Hal Morris (James Cromwell) is a friend of Edgecomb. Morris’s wife (Patricia Clarkson) is suffering from a brain tumor. Edgecomb impressed by Coffey’s apparent powers, hatches a plan to bring Coffey to Morris’ home. He manages to do so and Coffey is able to cure the ailing woman.

As Coffey’s execution date nears, he has first a score to settle with Wetstone and Wharton which is accomplished in an unusual way. Later in another mind meld with Edgecomb, Edgecomb learns of Coffey’s situation through a flash back and learns who the real murderer was.

An impeccable cast right from Tom Hanks right down to veteran character actor Dabbs Greer who play Hanks at an advanced age. Sam Rockwell stands out as the hateful Wild Bill Wharton as does Doug Hutchinson as the truly unlikeable Percy Wetmore.

Michael Jeter, whose execution scene is truly graphic, also stands out. William Sadler also appears as the distraught father of the slain girls and Gary Sinese as Coffey’s defense attorney is a star turn also.

In short, this is a truly incredible and marvelous film.

Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Elements:
The Green Mile Ultra HD Blu-ray contains the following previously released special features:
• Commentary by Frank Darabont
• Also on Blu-ray: Additional Scenes
o Walking the Mile: The Making of The Green Mile Documentary
o Miracle and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile Featurette Gallery
o Tom Hanks Makeup Tests
o Michael Clarke Duncan Screen Test
o The teaser trailer: A Case Study
o Theatrical Trailers

Released in 1999, the critically-acclaimed The Green Mile was directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and is based on Stephen King’s 1996 novel of the same name.

The film stars Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump), Academy Award® nominee Michael Clarke Duncan (Armageddon), David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graeme Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn, Patricia Clarkson, and Harry Dean Stanton.

The film was written and directed by Darabont, based on “The Green Mile” by Stephen King, and produced by Darabont and David Valdes. Mr. Darabont is one of only six filmmakers in history with the unique distinction of having his first two feature films receive nominations for the Best Picture Academy Award: 1994’s The Shawshank Redemption and 1999’s The Green Mile.

Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.

The Green Mile will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for $24.99 ERP and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc with the feature film and special features.

Fans can also own The Green Mile in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on 2/22/22.

The Green Mile | Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment