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Dead Man Walking

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Dead Man Walking (1995)

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Reviews Counted:52

Fresh:49

Rotten:3

Average Rating:8.2/10

Consensus: A powerful, thought-provoking film that covers different angles of its topic without resorting to preaching, Dead Man Walking will cause the viewer to reflect regardless of their political viewpoint.

Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: This fascinating and powerful drama explores the relationship between a condemned young convict and the nun who counsels him in the days leading up to his execution. Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) is... This fascinating and powerful drama explores the relationship between a condemned young convict and the nun who counsels him in the days leading up to his execution. Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) is on death row after being convicted of raping and brutally murdering a young couple. He writes to Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) for help, asking her to visit him in prison. She agrees to act as his spiritual adviser and begins to spend time each day with him. Prejean, who strongly opposes capital punishment, attempts to get Poncelet's death sentence rescinded. First, however, she tries to save Poncelet's soul by getting him to face up to his guilt and ask forgiveness for his actions. Based on the real-life experiences of Sister Helen Prejean, the film shows the horrors of state-sanctioned executions while also dealing sympathetically with the grief felt by the families of the two murder victims. Sarandon and Penn turn in top-notch performances in this award-winning film written, directed, and produced by Tim Robbins (BOB ROBERTS, CRADLE WILL ROCK). [More]

Starring: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry

Starring: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, R. Lee Ermey, Celia Weston, Lois Smith

Director: Tim Robbins

Director: Tim Robbins
Composer: David Robbins

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Sep 24, 1997

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Dead Man Walking

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
A

Steven D. Greydanus

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 29 2008 03:15 AM

Decent Films Guide

tomato
4/5

Rob Gonsalves

To say that the movie is neither for nor against capital punishment is disingenuous. Still, this is a fine and painful effort overall.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 29 2007 07:19 PM

eFilmCritic.com

tomato
4/5

Emanuel Levy

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 case with dignity and respect.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 10 2006 01:14 PM

Variety

tomato
4/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Dead Man Walking is one courageous film, one of the very best of its time.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 26 2006 03:16 AM

Combustible Celluloid

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 26 2006 03:16 AM

Time Out

tomato
A+

Jeffrey Overstreet

The movie is neither indulgent in its portrayal of emotionally-charged subject matter, nor does it shy away from the consequences of murder.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 15 2005 10:29 PM

Looking Closer

tomato
3.5/4

Michael Dequina

Penn proves once again that he should stop writing and directing and stick to what he does best.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 05 2004 02:51 PM

TheMovieReport.com

tomato
3/5

Philip Martin

No review available.

comment Comment | May., 23 2003 09:57 AM

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

tomato
4/4

Jeanne Aufmuth

Dead Man Walking was worth the river of tears I waded through on my way out.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 14 2003 05:12 PM

Palo Alto Weekly

tomato
7/10

Dragan Antulov

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 04 2003 09:45 PM

rec.arts.movies.reviews

tomato
5/5

Rob Vaux

It takes a truly great film to be so passionate about its viewpoint while still acknowledging and dignifying those who feel differently.

comment Comment | Mar., 28 2003 05:41 PM

Flipside Movie Emporium

tomato
4/5

Christopher Smith

No review available.

comment Comment | Mar., 20 2003 12:40 PM

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

tomato
4/5

Rob Blackwelder

No review available.

comment Comment | Mar., 06 2003 09:50 PM

SPLICEDWire

tomato
5/5

Shannon J. Harvey

The best film ever made about walking the green mile. The performances of Penn and Sarandon will move you.

comment Comment | Feb., 10 2003 11:28 PM

Sunday Times (Australia)

tomato
5/5

Jeffrey Westhoff

No review available.

comment Comment | Feb., 06 2003 01:31 PM

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

tomato
5/5

Nell Minow

No review available.

comment Comment | Nov., 24 2002 07:50 AM

Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

tomato
5/5

James Rocchi

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 07 2002 01:22 PM

Netflix

tomato
5/5

Widgett Walls

An incredibly moving meditation on capital punishment that takes on the unenviable task of showing it from all sides, and then being smart enough to let the audience decide for themselves.

comment Comment | Sep., 23 2002 02:25 PM

Needcoffee.com

tomato

Kevin N. Laforest

Dead Man Walking is one of these rare films that really makes you think and gives you things to discuss. But if it is indeed an important film, it's also well crafted and gripping.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 10 2002 08:19 AM

Montreal Film Journal

tomato
10/10

Alex Sandell

One of the most finely scripted, well acted films to come out of Hollywood. A modern masterpiece.

comment Comment | Aug., 08 2002 04:40 AM

Juicy Cerebellum

 
 
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