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Movies / On DVD / Dead Man Walking
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 Prejean, who strongly opposes capital punishment, attempts to get Poncelet's death sentence rescinded.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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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 >> >|
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Intense yet subtlely handled on every level, Dead Man Walking is one of the most remarkable and memorable films of 1995

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/05/02
Jean Oppenheimer
Jean Oppenheimer
Boxoffice Magazine

Crime and punishment are depicted in cruelly unflinching detail in Tim Robbins' deadly earnest, intermittently powerful death-row drama.

Full Review Source: Film Scouts | comment Comment
04/17/02
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Film Scouts

This important film exposes the cruelty of death by lethal injection and shows that hate is the worst prison of all.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
02/22/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

An intelligent, balanced, devastating movie.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/31/02
Hal Hinson
Hal Hinson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: WBAI Web Radio | comment Comment
09/09/01
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
WBAI Web Radio

One of the deepest human films in a long time, one that doesn't back down from baring the human soul and exploring the vastness of its complexities.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

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

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/13/01
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An extremely affecting experience

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Washington Post

One of the best things a film can do is make us reflect on our convictions and beliefs. Dead Man Walking powerfully forces this reflection through its compellingly ambiguous subject matter and superb performances by Sarandon and Penn.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Alison Macor
Alison Macor
Austin Chronicle

This feels like a giant cop-out.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barbara Shulgasser
Barbara Shulgasser
San Francisco Examiner

A painfully honest portrayal of the dark side and the dignity a decent person can bring to the most horrific of situations.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Robbins and Susan Sarandon, have crafted a film that transcends its own political message by a scrupulous attention to detail.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Bruce Reid
Bruce Reid
Film.com

A profoundly affecting film that will touch you deeply and perhaps even prompt you to re-examine your notions about the issues at hand.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

It probably isn't for everyone, but Dead Man Walking is a tale that needs to be heard and that will likely provide material for hours of philosophical debate.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

It will make you think about its specific subject matter -- capital punishment -- in emotional, moral, social and political contexts, all intertwined and none reducible to right or wrong.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper

Acting rarely gets better than this.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Guthmann
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Penn gives an astonishing performance and delivers exactly what Dead Man Walking needs.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Its objectivity is what makes it so controversial and fascinating.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

A daring stand and a daring, uncompromised film.

comment Comment
01/01/00
John Hartl
John Hartl
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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