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Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, R. Lee Ermey ... see more see more... , Celia Weston , Ray Aranha , Lenore Banks , Nesbitt Blaisdell , Steve Boles , Clancy Brown , Steve Carlisle , Kevin Cooney , Michael Cullen , Alec Gifford , Barton Heyman , Amy Long , Mike Longman , Margo Martindale , Roberta Maxwell , Cortez Nance Jr. , Adam Nelson , Larry Pine , Sally Ann Roberts , Lois Smith , Scott Wilson , Adele Robbins , Jack Black , Pamela Garmon , Scott Sowers , Peter Sarsgaard

Tim Robbins' second directorial effort (after the political satire Bob Roberts) was this drama based on a true story, which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarand... read more read more...on) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day, she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew, Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However, Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best, and it's clear he's a reprehensible, amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out, Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew, but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness, telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean, and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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81% liked it

58,637 ratings

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93% liked it

55 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Tim Robbins

Release Date: December 29, 1995

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DVD Release Date: September 30, 1998

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Stats: 2,360 reviews

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Dead Man Walking Oscar nominated role Sad :( Susan Sarandon Susan Sarandon & Tim Robbins Sad :( Matthew Poncelet Susan Sarandon - Best Actress Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking Roberta Maxwell & Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking Tim Robbins - Dead Man Walking Dead Man Walking
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Flixster Reviews (2,360)

  • FrizzDrop
    February 12, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    A soapy, longwinded drama that simply is not the moving film that warrants the praise it received. Directed by cold cocking activist Tim Robbins, his longtime partner Susan Sarandon playing the lead of Helen Prejean, and also starring Sean Penn as a fearless convict, this film bl... read moreeeds for the cause of human life. This film, though moving at times, is so slanted and nauseating that the performances come off as forced and irrationally concise. It's not that the performances were bad. To the contrary, for what the movie was and for what it was obviously trying to convey, the performances were sappy enough to work. Though the film is formulaic and borderline obvious at best, it was based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean who visited and held religious counsel for Matthew Poncelet, who had murdered two people with an accomplice in cold blood. I can't fault the film for taking such sensitive subject matter and making a complex dynamic between Helen's guilt at giving Matthew religious salvation when his crimes were so abhorrent, and having the family shun her for it. Sarandon's performance is far more human than expected, as she herself is not the perfect saint or unconventional nun with an authoritative air, who always appears in these kinds of human interest films. Penn got on my nerves a bit, only because he tries to play up the convict's vulnerability to the umpth degree, and though the film is trying to show that the death penalty is wrong, and everyone is allowed their salvation, it was so schmaltzy and fake that it was only the ending that saved this film. The profile of the convict, the interviews with the families by Sister Prejean, and the feeling of the film made it a bit of a blight for emotional heart pulling films. Though it was a disappointing film for me personally, it was great to see Sarandon in such a human role.
  • cosmo313
    November 5, 2011
    cosmo313
    In his second turn as a director, Tim Robbins, along with longtime partner Susan Sarandon, a bunch cof his extended family, and tons of other notable names all got together to create this: a film adaptation based on a work by Sister Helen Prejean, a nun who has spent time counsel... read moreing deathrow inmates. The film soimplifies the story and focuses on Helen as she coems to know and try to help Matthew Poncelet a composite of 2-3 real life figues. Matthew (in the film) is on death row for kidnapping, then brutally raping and murdering a boy and girl out near some lover's lane somewhere along with a friend of his.

    The film follows Sister Helen as she tries to help Matthew get an appeal or a lesser sentence, feeling that, though he may be guilty, he isn't deserving of the death penalty. Yes, the film does ultimately have a bias concerning capital punishment, but it also presents mutltiple and well developed viewpoints of the issue, and makes a good case for both. It does have it's bias, but it is also more subtle than I expected it to be. I figured it would be very blunt and bludgeon the audience of the head with it's message a la The Life of David Gale (which now that I think about it may not be quiote as good as I originally thought).

    Given the well know npolitical views and activism of Penn, Robbins, and Sarandon, I was surprised with how the film ultimately treated the issues at hand, and am very thankful for how itr all ended up. Yes, it gets a bit heavy handed here and there, but it's hard to fault it too much since it's all done so well. The film doesn't make Matthew totally symapthetic, but it does humanize him, and the concluding scenes are very moving.

    I had a personal moment of joy when I realized that the song playing during the big climax as Matthew is being led to the execution room was a version of a song I sang with my choir back in high schhol. I believe it's a Swedish funeral march, but I can't remember.

    Okay, that little diversion aside, this is a very moving, thought provoking, and sensible cinematic treatment of a touchy subject. It isn't completely cliche free, but it is far more fresh than I was figuring it might be, and the performances are just wonderful. Sarandon won an Oscar, and Penn was nominated, and both are incredible. They bring a lot of depth to their roles, and play them very realistically. To support them are people such as R. Lee Ermey, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, and even Jack Black. All of them and the rest do a fine job fleshing out their various characters and giving life to people who, for various reasons, have strong opinions on capital punishment, and it's hard to really take sides because they all make you feel for them.

    I'm torn on the rating, so let's be kind and give it somewhere between a 4 and 4 1/2. This is a very stirring and emotional drama that raises good questions, answers some, but leaves it up to the viewer to really decide what it should be. Given the material, that's all I could ask for, because this is an issue where it's best to leave it open (ultimately) because it's such a slippery slope. You should give this a watch.
  • moonrivers
    May 25, 2011
    moonrivers
    Like walking the last mile yourself, Tim Robbins' elegantly told tale of a convicted murderer's last days in the company of an interested stranger, a nun, deeply resonates whether you'd like it to or not. Deserved accolades for this one, and each one earned.
  • fb733768972
    May 8, 2011
    fb733768972
    There are times when I feel that I must say that a movie is not just a movie, and that this movie is real. Dead Man Walking surprised me in every way and I did not find myself bored by it's running time and slow pace. This is the type of film where is could have the slowest scene... read mores in cinema to date, but still have the effectiveness of greatness. This film has a gut-wrenching story, the performances are miraculous, and the outcome will have you rooting for every character. This is the story about a man in prison due to murder, while a nun is doing her best to protect him while she tries to comfort the lives of the families who he has taken lives from. This is as perplexed as a film can get these days, and it is beautiful. Dead Man Walking is far more than just a true-to-life film, but an emotional thrill ride that, in my eyes, is a triumphant masterpiece!
  • danperry17
    May 3, 2011
    danperry17
    Overly drawn-out, precious film that, if not for its affecting ending would border on unwatchable. The shots are unoriginal, the short takes are jarring and poorly edited, and unfortunately, Susan Sarandon bored the hell out of me. (Sean Penn was very good, but 15 years later, it... read more's clear how much better he's gotten since.)

    This film is a curious artifact from that awkward faux-southern-gothic period in the 90s when John Grisham's career was taking off and Bruce Springsteen was working with "the other band"... and by the way, though the titular song worked for Philadelphia and, over a decade later, The Wrestler, here it was just another ho-hum number on the soundtrack of a movie that used virtually no music. It wasn't gripping enough to get by without.

    The film picks up in its last half hour, but overall the dialogue crawls along, exposing way too much, and many of the scenes are hardly relevant: instead of showing us what's going on, Robbins uses the characters to tell us, and the result is a film that's dreary and no fun to watch. Huge letdown - I've wanted to see this since I was a teenager, and I'm glad I found it at the library for free; had I seen it in theatres, I'd probably still be complaining about having wasted the money.
  • LWOODS04
    December 5, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Raymond J. Barry, Robert Prosky, R. Lee Ermey, Scott Wilson, Celia Weston, Lois Smith, Roberta Maxwell, Margo Martindale, Barton Heyman, Nesbitt Blaisdell, Larry Pine, Peter Sarsgaard

    Director: Tim Robbins

    Summary: Scheduled to be put to d... read moreeath for brutally slaying two teens, Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) seeks the aid of activist nun Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon), a death-penalty opponent. She becomes Matthew's spiritual adviser and tries to halt the execution, even though Matthew's professed innocence is dubious. As the execution date draws ever closer, Sister Helen works to save Matthew's soul by getting him to confess -- and to ask divine forgiveness.

    My Thoughts: "Of course Sean Penn would play the part so well, that he could make you feel some sort of sympathy for a murdering rapist. Such good acting from him and Susan Sarandon. They were really great together in this film. The film had me crying off and on throughout it. It's a very emotional film. You get to see both sides of the story. The two families who children were killed and raped and are looking for justice with the death penalty, a family trying to come to terms with losing a son, a brother to the death penalty, and a nun who's faith and heart is shaken by the whole ordeal. But what I liked most about the film is that it doesn't take sides. You see both stories and it lets you choose for yourself. But I think the film is more about coming to terms with what you do in life and accepting and acknowledging your faults and of course forgiving yourself and asking for forgiveness. A story of redemption. Definitely a film that is thought provoking."
  • fb619846742
    September 26, 2010
    fb619846742
    One of the best films of the 90's, with heartbreaking performances from both Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, coupled with a story that feels so incredibly real thanks to its careful plotting and fabulous execution. Director Robbins also shows his skill for combining the past and pr... read moreesent to perfection, and he slams you with an ending that should really tear you up. Sean Penn, as I've said before, is one of the best actors working in Hollywood today, and this is his finest turn yet. He's utterly remarkable here, as well as Sarandon, who arguably gives the best performance in the film as a conflicted nun who doesn't want to be "taking sides", rather sympathizing with everybody involved in this heinous act - sadly she discovers that just isn't possible. An emotionally trying movie, due to Robbins' ability to humanize his "monstrous" character, as well as being able to correctly examine the other side's pain as well.
  • 76Majikat
    August 1, 2010
    76Majikat
    Directed by Tim Robbins, an emotionally charged storyline tackling the controversial subject of Capital Punishment, shown through the eyes of the Victim's families, the murderer's family, the prison guards, the murderer and the Nun who is there to help him until his execution dat... read moree arrives.

    An underestimated role for Penn I feel, who played a really believable role (particularly in the final scenes) as did Sarandon, who seemed to be so natual in this role.
  • puffchunk
    January 20, 2010
    puffchunk
    Not bad, but nothing new. Preformances were good, but I prefer Capote which was basically the same story.
  • bhobbs1985
    January 28, 2009
    bhobbs1985
    Being a conservative and in high support of the death penalty I was not so sure that I would come out of this movie liking it...

    However, Sean Penn for me won me over. He done a great job and out of him and Saradon I personally think it should of been him to win the award. The... read more guy is impressive in every role he plays. He was very convincing through out this entire film. It's very well acted by all parties.

    The movie itself turned out to be a truly emotional film - that even had me questioning what was "right in wrong" morally and politically. It takes you over the emotional rollercoaster not just from one side - showing how crime and the death penalty affects all party involved.

    Coming out of the movie I still found myself a supporter of the death penalty but I gained much respect for those who face there justice with dignity and to those who must run the process.

    This is an amazing film that anyone pro active or against the death penalty should consider checking out.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
June 10, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety

Tim Robbins's balanced yet uncompromising approach refuses to judge any of the characters, including the killer (superlatively played by Sean Penn), instead giving each a fair chance to present their ... Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 31, 2002
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

An intelligent, balanced, devastating movie.

Kenneth Turan
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Takes us along on the reluctant, difficult, essentially spiritual journey these two unlikely people make together. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Dead Man Walking could easily be manipulative or exploitative, but it's neither. Instead, this is hard-hitting drama that neither accepts nor offers quarter. Full Review

Sean Means
January 1, 2000
Sean Means, Film.com

A thought-provoking drama not to be missed or dismissed.

January 1, 2000
Washington Post

An extremely affecting experience Full Review

Tom Keogh
January 1, 2000
Tom Keogh, Film.com

Robbins, who also wrote the script, is no Truman Capote, let alone a Victor Hugo, and his film trips up constantly on indecisiveness about what it is he's trying to say.

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

It will send you home with more than a few long thoughts. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

is the finest, least compromised film about capital punishment ever advancing a gently stated 'anti' view but going the extra 100 miles to give victims their due.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Absorbing, surprising, technically superb and worth talking about for a long time afterward Full Review

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    • Mathew Poncelet: I never had no real love myself. I never loved a woman or anybody else or myself, just never could. Might figure I'd have to die to find love. Thank you for loving me.
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  • Which actor/actress appears in these three movies: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dead Man Walking and Alfie.  Answer »
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