Dead Man Walking Movie Review 1995

True story of a nun whose anti-death penalty beliefs put her in moral crisis with grieving victims when she becomes the spiritual advisor to a death-row murderer. Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, Sarandon stars as the nun who develops a relationship of understanding with inmate Poncelet (Penn), unwavering in her Christian beliefs even though Penn's character shows little or no remorse for the two young lovers he was accused of murdering. Penn offers one of the best performances (but worst hair-dos) of his career, while writer/director Robbins presents both sides of the death-penalty issue mingled with simple human compassion.

Distribution

USA Home Entertainment, 1 W. Forest, Englewood, NJ 07631-4004, Phone: (201)871-1000, URL: http://www.polygram-us.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 122 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Death Row, Rape, Religion, Nuns & Priests, New Orleans

Screenplay

Tim Robbins

Cast

Jon Abrahams, Jack Black, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, R. Lee Ermey, Celia Weston, Lois Smith, Scott Wilson, Roberta Maxwell, Margo Martindale, Barton Heyman, Larry Pine

Cinematography

Roger Deakins

Director

Tim Robbins

Music

David Robbins

Producer

Jon Kilik, Working Title Productions, Gramercy Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1995: Actress (Sarandon); Ind. Spirit 1996: Actor (Penn); Screen Actors Guild 1995: Actress (Sarandon).