Dead Man Walking (1995)
- Starring:
- Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, (more)
- Director(s):
- Tim Robbins
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama
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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 Sarandon) 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, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 122 mins
Complete Cast:
- Susan Sarandon - Sister Helen Prejean
- Robert Prosky - Hilton Barber
- R. Lee Ermey - Clyde Percy
- Nesbitt Blaisdell - Warden Hartman
- Adele Robbins - Nurse
- Roberta Maxwell - Lucille Poncelet
- Cortez Nance, Jr. - Guard #3
- Steve Carlisle - Helen's Brother
- Michael Cullen - Carl Vitello
- Steve Boles - Sgt. Neal Trapp
- Lois Smith - Helen's Mother
- Barton Heyman - Captain Beliveau
- Jack Black - Craig Poncelet
- Sally Ann Roberts - Reporter #2
- Pamela Garmon - Mirabeau
- Larry Pine - Guy Gilardi
- Sean Penn - Mathew Poncelet
- Raymond J. Barry - Earl Delacroix
- Celia Weston - Mary Beth Percy
- Kevin Cooney - Governor Benedict
- Mike Longman - News Anchor
- Amy Long - Opossum Kid #3
- Margo Martindale - Sister Colleen
- Lenore Banks - Parent #4
- Clancy Brown - State Trooper
- Ray Aranha - Luis Montoya
- Peter Sarsgaard - Walter Delacroix
- Scott Wilson - Chaplain Farley
- Adam Nelson - Guard #4
- Scott Sowers - Guard #2
- Alec Gifford - Reporter #3
- Director(s):
- Tim Robbins
- Writer(s):
- Tim Robbins
- Producer(s):
- Tim Robbins, Jon Kilik, Tim Baven
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Watch With Your Teen, Profanity, Adult Situations)
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
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- 1996 - Dead Man Walking - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Best Actor
- 1995 - Dead Man Walking - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Actor
- 1995 - Dead Man Walking - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actor - Runner-up
- 1995 - Dead Man Walking - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actress
