God's Punishment For Paul (Final Scene) | The Green Mile (1999) | Screen Bites 

Coffey tells Paul that he has been through enough psychical experience with humanity’s cruelty and that he is ready to die: bit.ly/2lxh2tQ

One man sentenced to death. Another man sentenced to life.

Living past my kids,wife and friends would seem like a Punishment.

Very heartfelt final quote: "Sometimes the Green Mile seems so long." Stephen King is an incredible storyteller.

For those of you wondering why he doesn’t try to end his life himself (aka suicide), he feels his extreme longitivtiy and watching his loved ones die one by one is his penance for not doing more to help John. He feels he must allow himself to live for however long he will as it’s his just punishment and only when he dies naturally will his “sentence” be over.

“Its my punishment for letting John Coffey ride the lightning” that makes me tear up, right next to when Paul ask John “at the day of my judgement, when i stand before god, and he ask me why did i kill one of his true miracles, what will i say, that it was my job..... my job”

The ending really makes you think about that scene where Jon was talking about how tired he was. Makes you wonder how old Jon Coffey really was.

Another piece of his punishment I don’t think people realize is that at 108 years old he remained competent so no matter how old he gets he will always be aware that he will remain alive while others go

"I've had to see my friends and loved ones all die through the years." I'm only 37 and I already am starting to feel the pain he's feeling. My uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, and more. So many people who were so precious to me, all gone. Even my Dad, who we had to bury just short of a year ago. Each loss makes this world feel darker. As a child, the thought of immortality seemed like something of a blessing. Never having to fear death sounded incredible. But now, the thought of immortality feels like a curse I wouldn't wish upon my greatest enemy. When the sun finally rises without me, I hope there is something after this life. Hopefully a reunion.

The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption are two of the finest movies made in the last 50 years. They are simply classics!

This scene always makes me tear up. Paul is such a good character and is left with a horrible fate - wishing for death and unable to get it.

That camera shot where he walks down the mile, and it changes into the old man in the hospital is superb. What a movie.

That last scene with old Mr. Jingles brings tears to me every time.

Can you imagine how pissed the social security administration is for having to pay for so many years.

"You'll be gone like all the others, I'll have to stay." Paul didn't deserve this... He really didn't.

I feel what this scene is about....lost my wife to anemia....my daughter to a brain tumor bleed....and I have lived to see it. Alone now with the 2 most important things in my life gone. Parents died a long time ago and now my family is gone as well and as this scene states... " sometimes I wish for death long before death finds me"..wishing to be with all those people I lost....My parents...my wife Vanessa and my daughter Ellie. I to think too myself sometimes...how much longer do I have to wait.

“It’s my punishment for letting John Coffey ride the light, for killing a miracle of god” Probably the most powerful line in the movie

When I first saw this movie I was in my 40’s. Didn’t think much about end of life, mortality, etc. Recently watched this movie. In my 60’s now, spent quite a lot of time afterwards contemplating my mortality and end of life. Realized there are more years behind me now then ahead of me. Need to make them count. I really appreciate this movie a lot.

Some scary math: Mr. Jingles is alive in 1999, making him 64 years old. If the average lifespan of a mouse is 2 years, then Jingles has lived 32x that. If Paul also lives for 32x the average lifespan of an adult male, then he won't die until he's nearly 2,000 years old, specifically 1,920 years old. Meaning he wont die until the year 3855.

"Sometimes, the green mile seems- so long..." That quote made me cry. One of the best quotes ever said without a doubt.

In the book, Paul's punishment is even worse. He and his wife are in a car crash and she dies but he survives. Then he sees Jon's silhouette in the rain standing there watching him and he knows he's being punished for what he did

As great as Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan are in this, Dabbs Greer is vastly underrated in this. The sadness in his voice when he talks about the death of his family and friends is so heartbreaking!

"Oh, God, sometimes the green mile seems SO long." Amen.

That last line always gives me chills 🥺 “We each owe a death, there are no exceptions, I know that, but sometimes, oh God, the Green Mile seems so long.” This movie never gets old. It’s incredible every single watch

"If he could make a mouse live so long, how much longer do I have?" That mouse lived 20 or 30 lifetimes, Paul. Settle in.

Michael Clarke Duncan, a seriously underappreciated actor. one of the best roles of his career. R.I.P big guy =(

0:20 "Oh I've lived to see some amazing things Ellie... I fought in Normandy, and Vietnam, I won a ping pong championship, became an astronaut and almost landed on the moon, then i worked for FedEx for a while but that ended badly. I became a pilot, got aids, landed on the hudson and i was a toy cowboy for few years as well..."

You know a clip is worth watching when the most replayed spot in the video is the beginning.. Such a great movie, his speech to Elaine always makes me tear up.

This movie is a masterpiece. The acting is incredible from the whole cast. But, let's not forget Steven King, who brought this story to life. One of the greatest story-tellers ever.

Now I know why Tom Hanks survived by living on the island with Wilson, survived the pirate attack, and survived the plane crash in the Hudson.

One of Tom Hanks' best roles, personally.

"But one thought, more than any other, keeps me awake most nights. If he can make a mouse live so long, how much longer do I have? We each owe a death, there are no exceptions. But oh god... sometimes... The Green Mile seems so long..." Still gives me so many tears in my eyes.

"We each owe a death", "sometimes the Green Mile seems so long", it really makes you appreciate how precious life really is.

It's sad knowing that this was Dabbs Greer's last movie. Talk about going out on top. It's good to know that four of his costars have joined him in the hereafter. Rest in peace, Dabbs Greer, Michael Jeter, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Harry Dean Stanton.

I just turned 69 was in my 40s when I first saw the green mile. Every time I play this ending it gets deeper and deeper.

When I saw John get executed me and my mom were in tears the green mile has some of the greatest scenes of God given gifts it’s absolutely awesome when John decided to still get executed it was absolutely heartbreaking the guy that played John in real life died of a heart problem when my friend told me that my heart broke all over again

The fellow who plays old Paul (Dabbs Greer)was active in fighting against the death penalty when he was a young actor as well. He was in a 1958 movie with Susan Haywood called "I want to live" that argued against the death penalty. He was one of the great character actors of his time.

Frank Darabont is a grossly underrated director, he made the The Green Mile straight after The Shawshank Redemption, he's hardly done anything since?

I always find this scene to be a defining point in my view of death. The inevitable end for us all. I would always say growing up that if I had one wish to be granted it that I would live forever. This scene made me realize that death is a fear that I can't fathom but a blessing. Imagine living forever but all of your loved ones die.

Can you imagine watching all the people you love around you pass away, even children and yet you some how keep going on and on......I love this movie and this ending always gives me the chills just thinking about what it would be like.

I used to watch Highlander: The Series, and this is a theme that is constantly addressed. Sure, you might live forever, but the cost is watching everyone that you love, die and you keep living. My granddaughter passed yesterday, age 3, and I have put nearly a dozen family members in the ground. It is tough to see everything you knew just disappear.

can we all agree tom Hanks is a hell of a actor

For me, the most emotional part of the movie was when the guards were bidding farewell to their dear friend John. They loved him and hated what they had to do. If there was any way possible to spare his life, they would have done it. They were utterly helpless and they knew it.

It’s a cruel fact that immortality sounds just as terrifying as death.

I’ve suffered more than I care to admit. 3 of the last 4 family members didn’t see the age of 52 now I’m 4 months shy of that age. Over 25 surgeries since the age of 9, one saved my life. I will admit I’m frightened

The only film to successfully make me care about a mouse more than 50% of the humans

"There are people who wish for immortality, yet claim to be bored on a Sunday afternoon." Anonymous

This movie makes me cry every time. God how it does. Greatest of all time

Really makes you think how old John was before being sentenced to death, he clearly had complete knowledge on how his powers worked and knew what to do in each circumstances

Man this is deep. I couldn’t imagine seeing all of my family die off and I’m still here. Real talk

When he says "we each owe a death, there are no exceptions" the visuals, music and narration are just so perfect it kills me. So poignant. To see one of God's small creatures asleep, alone, living way beyond it's life expectancy such a beautiful last moment in the way it magnifies the point of the narration.

The last question to him self, gives me always chills. I even guess, that King had always this ending in mind, and afterwards, creates the story around :)

I remember when I first watched this, I was puzzling over the timeline - then the penny dropped at the end! Such an incredible film. John Coffey's death ripped my heart out :(

One of the best movies I've ever seen,this and Shawshank redemption

"i think about my beautiful jen." ..."JENNAAAYYYY." -forrest gump

For me this film isn't only the best Stephen King adaptation of all time - this is also my number one favorite film of all time.

It's amazing how a movie can bring about so many emotions in us.

This movie has made many grown men cry. I'm one of them.

I feel his pain. I've watched friends die, kids brothers loved ones...sometimes surviving is a curse.

This is a scene in this movie i appreciate to watch everytime. Their is so much wisdom and spirituality in it. Thanks for putting it up here

That is one of the best movies I've ever seen before. And yes' I cried for having to see John Coffey die. To be able to live that long, and knowing that he gave that mouse that long to live, is truly a miracle.

I always get emotional when I see Mr Jingles sleeping. I can't handle the fact that his little heart will stop one day. :( I just can't.

God bless Michael Clarke Duncan, may he rest in peace.

Today I almost know how he feels. Lost my mother, father, little brother and best friend in the last 10 years, along with several other people I knew well. It's very different and lonely world today. Sometimes I think it's not fair for me to still be here when they don't get to be anymore. Life is bizarre. Peace to all.

Sad as his long life may be, I like how he’s still got Mr. Jingles to keep him company

Let’s say that mouse was 5 when John infused it with life. It would have been 69 during this scene. Let’s just say it dies at 70. Average man lives to be 76-77. That means we can safely expect Paul to live to be around 1200. Yikes

My bitter sweet part of my life was watching my father die when i was a boy Then my mother telling me i was adopted Only to have her die As i became a man You see they were and still are the only family i knew And loved me Years later i found my real mother and the story behind eevrything Sadly shes in poor health..Take what you can get from life Because some will never know when it ends

The rest of the cast was spectacular. And Dabs' older Paul Edgecomb, especially his soliloquy at the end, was haunting.

This and Shawshank Redemption in my opinion shows just how great of a Writer Stephen King is. Just amazing writing and story telling.

I'm 44 and my dad died when I was 18, I had a brother murdered 2 weeks later. Ten years ago my other brother died in his sleep and 2 years ago my mother died of COPD... I do have a 6 year old daughter that keeps me going, but to me living past 70 almost seems like a curse

Fun fact: Tom Hanks was originally going to play the older counterpart of Paul Edgecombe too, but apparently he didn't look credible enough in old man makeup, so they brought in Dabs Greer to play the older Paul. Honestly, they couldn't have picked anyone better to play older Paul.

such a good movie that I keep crying at the end

This movie breaks me in half every dsmn time I see a clip. Such feeling.

This movie made me cry so much. It is a goddamn masterpiece.

Went through a existential crisis. Thinking about death and life and an afterlife as well as family. This movie is just plain beautiful loved it.

God Two great actors from this film Gone: Dabbs Greer (The older version of Paul) And Michael Clarke Duncan. RIP to both incredibly talented men.

“All of us walking our own green mile, inching our own time” no truer words could be said.

This is probably my favorite acting performance from a bit part ever. Just this scene alone is incredible, his line delivery is perfection, always makes me tear up.

I'd read the book and saw this at the opening night in NYC. I was on holiday there and was amazed how strongly people reacted during the film.

This movie was so sweet and so heartbreaking all at the same time

He plays the role for a brief moment but so deeply,what a wonderfull actor

This is one of those films that truly affected me. It struct a deep chord within my heart and hurt me deeply, especially this scene because it is so well directed and edited. The music, the acting, the lines, etc. It makes one reflect upon life, mortality and about eternity. Does anybody else feel the same way when they watched this scene? It was depressing because it was done so well. It ended the movie beautifully yet depressingly...

I always figured it was never a punishment, but rather he was blessed by john coffee with a long lasting life. But he looks at his healthy long amd rich life as a curse because of the bad he believes he has done.

Just one of the most well written, well acted, and well filmed movies ever made. The themes present in this film are deep and profound. Humbling.

This clip reminds me I need to rewatch the green mile again! Such a good movie. Very emotional

You know everyone including Paul looks at John Coffee as the miracle. Truth be told I think Paul was supposed to be the miracle. After John passed him his gift and was executed, Paul quit and became a youth officer helping young kids. How many lives so you think he turned around in that time? On top of that, he lives in a nursing home where he comforts people in passing away. Yes it is a burden, but I think he had a more profound effect on people's lives than John Coffee ever would.

Truly one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. The revenge on Percy is gold, I love that scene where they lock him up, and when they hosed down Sam Rockwell

This Movie holds a special place in my Life, and in my Heart. Every time I watch it, it feels as if I’m getting a warm embrace that permeates to my Soul... Dare I say, This Movie is up there in the Top 5 Greatest Movies Ever Made 😌

This scene strikes a chord with me. I have a good memory. I mean, a really, really, really good memory. There is a term for it but I won;t go more into that. When I was young I used this to my advantage in many ways. I could memorize lines for Church programs and my memory work for Sunday school on the way to town lol. If I had to do a presentation at school I could write it out and then memorize the whole thing so I didn;t need notes. playing video games later(think nintendo era) I could memorize the levels and avoid the bad jumps and enemies etc. I know every single square foot of the 200 acre farm i grew up on, inside the buildings, the land, the edges of the neighbors land, the trees, the waters, the ditch down the country trunk I lived on. I can remember things for my work as a technician my coworkers need books for. I am older now. That was a couple decades ago. My memory is not good. i mean it still works like it did. I don;t get many lol's out of it anymore. In fact, it is a curse and makes me fight depression every day. I am very self aware, and I know these feelings and where they come from and cope and deal with it. but it is like a weight dragging me down to my knees. I remember the farm I grew up on. Every bit of it. it's all gone. neighbors bought it 20 years ago when Dad retired. I ca;t go on it without tresspassing. The buildings are gone, the homestead was sold and a new house put up and the 130 year old barn etc. were torn down. The animals are gone. The fences are gone. I remember my cousin falling to her knees crtying out at my grandmother's funeral. I can SEE it. I remember carrying my Grandfather coffin at his funeral. I remember my grandfather(Mother's side) overcome with grief, tears blinding him, choking on them, squeezing my hand as we sat next to my older brother's coffin when I was in high school. i remember his funeral a couple years later and my older cousin not able to compete the hymn she was soloing on the balcony of my Grandparents old church for her grief and the silence for a short bit after. I remember holding my cat as they put it to sleep, my dog licking my hand when the same for him. I remember EVERY FREEKING THING. I can SEE it. It's like a home movie, sounds, smells, sights, it overtakes my vision where I am and I WATCH it. In my youth I practiced remembering, used this gift to my advantage. As an older adult I actively practice NOT remembering things. it has changed me and how I interact with people, nothing big really, but I know as I have always ben very self aware. Some might even say I am less socially awkward, but it is really me just being less myself. i don;t know why I am writing all this in a youtube comment. maybe it's the movie scene. Maybe I think people that can sort of relate might see this, i don;t know. I look at what is hapening in the world(what is really happening, not what's on TV) and I see this trend of the sad overtaking the good as I live longer and the potential for much worse with what's around the corner, and i am ready most days to go home. I know it is not my choice when I go, and part of me resists of course as we all do, but in my heart I know others would be worse off then me if i left now. So whenever God is ready, I am ready. I understand John's words, maybe better then anyone. And this ending scene is my waking life. It just gets harder the longer it goes.

Dabbs Greer was such an amazing actor; loved him in this and Little House...

One of my favorite films of all time. I hardly watch it anymore, even though it's right there in my collection, as I'm always an emotional wreck after seeing it.

I've only seen the movie itself once, in the theater. It moved me so completely. This is one of the first times I tried watching this again. Yep, still crying. Such a beautiful work of art.

Dabs Greer is a great actor, but this scene should have been Tom Hanks having a conversation with his own granddaughter explaining why Grandpa is still around and looks so young.

Love this movie. Tom Hanks is like a national treasure

I still remember watching this as a kid when it came out. What a great movie

Wow, total tearjerker. Gets me everytime

He still walks amongst us..

Such an incredible film. You certainly don't have to read the book to enjoy it but if you do you will appreciate it that much more. Everyone involved in this film should be extremely proud.

I remember summer 2000 I was working at a cell phone kiosk in radio shack and they would have this movie playing in the store. Must’ve watched it a thousand times in there but oddly enough never got tired. Testament to how great a movie it is

Beautiful movie with the most amazing cast of actors. RIP to those of whom have passed