MovieChat Forums > The Green Mile (1999) Discussion > The execution of Eduard Delacroix

The execution of Eduard Delacroix

posted 9 years ago by pequaboy
12 replies | jump to latest

Yes, Percy should have been held accountable for his knowingly neglecting to wet the sponge. But, I feel Paul should have been held accountable for Percy's action as well, being he (Paul) was Percy's CO and was responsible for overseeing the execution. And the fact that roughly 20 to 30 seconds before the roll, Paul saw that the floor by the water bucket was not wet. As a commanding officer, he had the responsibility to postpone the commencement to wet the sponge. What he did (or didn't do) was reprehensible. Why did he not stop the roll? It would not be beyond the realm of reason and would certainly be justifiable, especially with the warden watching.

"A naked American man stole my balloons"
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[–] boomslice 9 years ago

By the time he figured it out he looks at the clock and it's counting down at 9 seconds. Also, this is 1935 & no guard would dare to speak out in front of the warden and spectators.

[–] Captain_Beeble 9 years ago

1935 wasn't ancient times. I've actually been wondering that very same thing lately, about Paul knowing the sponge wasn't wet beforehand. I've been especially curious about that since I started re-reading the book version of 'The Green Mile' recently. Even if there was only a few seconds between Paul realizing the sponge was dry and Percy saying "Roll On Two", would it really have been that hard for Edgecomb to say "WHOA, HOLD IT! The sponge is dry"?

While that may have embarrassed himself and the other guards, and startled the spectators for a brief moment, it's a pretty small price to pay compared to the alternative. When I realize Paul knew the sponge was wet and didn't say anything about it, I think that made him almost as much of a jerk as Percy was.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] comesailaway 9 years ago

I also think that once it reached a certain point, Paul knew that to cut the power would just prolong Eduard's suffering. He probably figured the best option in the moment was just to get it over with. Besides, I bet no one expected Eduard to "last" as long as he did.

www.youtube.com/nintendocaprisun

[–] RobsBottin 9 years ago

Yeah stop the roll, exclude what is a powerful scene all because Darabount didn't follow your *logic*.

It's a bloody film for heavens sake.

It's all a deep end.

[–] strntz 9 years ago

And the fact that roughly 20 to 30 seconds before the roll, Paul saw that the floor by the water bucket was not wet.

It wasn't "20 or 30" seconds, it was maybe 3 to 5 seconds on film. The reason we see it even this long is because the director shot it this way to make sure the viewers (us) have enough time to realize that Paul learns the sponge is dry right before the roll.

If he didn't realize this right before the roll, would Paul, during the horrible spectacle, look on the floor in a calm and logical fashion to ascertain why the execution was going so wrong?

It is bad to drink Jobus rum. Very bad.

[–] Quentin36 9 years ago

Wouldn't have been much of a scene if he stopped the execution would it?

[–] tyson6633 7 years ago

I don't blame Paul. At least not 100%

What I mean by that is simple. Paul obviously knew how Percy is towards the inmates, particularly his treatment towards Del. The two men (Del and Percy) have a history of hating each other. He is a cruel little pissant towards Del.

If I was Paul, I'd have been watching Percy like a hawk.

So in a way, yes, Paul should have been more responsible and more diligent in his duties here. He should've known, given Percy's cruelness, that there was a *chance* he could sabotage Del's execution. He should've been on Percy like white on rice.

Know what I'm saying?

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"97-X...Bam....The future of...Rock 'n' Roll."

[–] lcplthomasc 7 years ago

I can dig it...

[–] tyson6633 7 years ago

👍

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"97-X...Bam....The future of...Rock 'n' Roll."

[–] Rob801 7 years ago

Well I just mentioned this in another thread, and can see that your comment is the most recent in this one, which is more fitting so I will also say that yeah, Paul should have been keeping a sharp eye on Percy. But Harry should have most definitely noticed the sponge wasn't wet when he put the cap on when water was gushing from it in the first execution we saw.

Still one of my favorite. Films.

[–] DarklordRB 7 years ago

Well Hal did come to Paul first to question him about the botched up execution.