
The Green Mile, directed by Frank Darabont and based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, is a tragic and emotionally charged film set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Given that it can count as a period drama, it’s not unreasonable to ask, “Is The Green Mile based on a true story?”
The film is a unique mystery cocktail of compassion, injustice, and supernatural occurrences within the confines of a Louisiana penitentiary’s death row, known as The Green Mile.
The Green Mile tells the tale of Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks, who begins to question the extraordinary events following the arrival of a new inmate, John Coffey, portrayed by the late Michael Clarke Duncan.
A fictional tale with real-life roots

While it’s easy to dismiss most Stephen King mystery and horror stories and adaptations as undeniable works of fiction, there are heavy real-life inspirations behind The Green Mile. It also draws inspiration from the harrowing injustices and racial disparities that were prevalent in the American legal system during its portrayed era.
The Green Mile is not a documentary or a biographical work, and technically, it’s not a true story. But it has roots that can be traced back to the real-life events and social issues that plagued the United States during the mid-20th century, namely the case of George Stinney Jr.
George Stinney Jr.: A Tragic Inspiration
George Stinney Jr. was a young, 14-year-old boy living in South Carolina in 1944 when he was accused of the brutal murder and alleged sexual assault of two young girls.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest, trial, and execution bear striking similarities to the fictional character of John Coffey in The Green Mile. Stinney, like Coffey, was a young African American who faced an all-white jury in a racially prejudiced environment.
In both cases, the accused individuals were convicted of heinous crimes with little to no substantial evidence to support their guilt. George Stinney Jr., despite his age and the questionable nature of his confession, was sentenced to death in the electric chair. Similarly, John Coffey, in the film, finds himself on death row, convicted of rape and murder, despite possessing supernatural abilities that suggest his innocence.
Both Stinney and Coffey’s stories are characterized by injustice, a lack of adequate legal representation, and a rush to judgment based on the color of their skin. These shared elements serve as a poignant reflection of the systemic racism and flaws within the American legal system during that era.

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Differences and distinctions

While The Green Mile draws significant inspiration from George Stinney Jr.’s case, there are notable differences between the two narratives.
One prominent distinction is the geographical setting: Stinney’s story unfolded in South Carolina, whereas The Green Mile takes place in Louisiana. Additionally, the film is set a decade before the events of Stinney’s case, adding a layer of fictionalization to the narrative.
Moreover, John Coffey’s character possesses supernatural healing abilities, a fantastical element that sets the film apart from the real-life events of George Stinney Jr. However, viewers can perceive this supernatural element as a metaphorical device to emphasize the injustice and the cruel irony of Coffey’s situation.
There’s also a literally huge difference between John Coffey and George Stinney Jr. in that the former is a big, physically imposing man and notably an adult in both his build and behavior. That made Coffey’s unjust condemnation feel more prejudiced and his innocence more ambiguous compared to George Stinney Jr., who was indisputably still a child.
Despite having the power to heal, John Coffey is powerless to escape the clutches of a flawed legal system that ultimately doomed him to his execution.
The Death Row management drama is mostly fictional
When the film isn’t dabbling with the John Coffey symbolism, it often segues into the prison management dynamics of the wardens and the guards.
One of the most prominent villains in the film was Percy, a nepo-baby who had a penchant for cruelty toward the inmates slated for execution. Percy’s most deplorable act in the film was intentionally foregoing a mercy killing protocol that would have prevented the death row inmate from burning due to electricity and dying more painfully.
As we stated earlier, Percy’s characterization might not have been arbitrary or whimsical in Stephen King’s storytelling since he served as an allegory for the ruthlessness that befell George Stinney Jr.
The poor 14-year-old boy was executed via electric chair, and his head was reportedly so skinny and small that the headpiece of the electric chair was loose and had to be tightened. He also had to sit on several books since he couldn’t reach the electric shock headpiece.
It would be fair to assume that Percy from The Green Mile was a collective representation of the officials and prison guards who carried out George Stinney Jr.’s electrocution.
It’s a semi-accurate glimpse into historical injustice

The Green Mile serves as a cautionary tale about the injustices and the pervasive racism that plagued the American legal system (which somehow still exists to this day). It’s a callback to the tragic fate of individuals like George Stinney Jr., who were denied fair trials and subjected to the electric chair despite their innocence.
While The Green Mile may not be a true story in the strictest sense, it is undeniably rooted in the very real struggles and hardships faced by countless individuals who fell victim to racial prejudice and an imperfect legal system.
As is Stephen King’s style for his novels, The Green Mile weaves elements of fantasy and the supernatural into its storytelling. Even then, it still remains a relevant work of fiction that sheds light on the injustices that marginalized individuals face on a regular basis.