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Dead Man Walking

Play trailer Poster for Dead Man Walking R 1995 2h 2m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) nears his execution date, he calls upon Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) to help him with one last appeal, maintaining that he is innocent of the murders of a young couple. Poncelet begins to form a bond with Prejean, and she visits both his family and the relatives of the victims, hoping to learn more about the case. As things begin to look bleak for Poncelet, Prejean does all that she can to comfort and console the hardened convict.
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Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking

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Critics 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.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 02/23/2018
It's a strong film, made stronger by two terrific performances. Penn's acting has ruthless honesty. Go to Full Review David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) 02/12/2016
4/5
It's an important film and a beautifully made film too. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety 06/10/2006
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Sheila Reid Women in the Life 05/13/2022
A riveting, thought-provoking drama. Go to Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine 10/21/2019
Penn plays Matthew with a quiet, feral intensity... Go to Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant 05/03/2018
Penn and Sarandon in their final moments together achieve a strange transcendence that makes the end of Dead Man Walking sobering and horrifying, yet oddly uplifting. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Theo E Aug 30 A Haiku Review: A rare movie that Bothers to challenge viewpoints Without taking sides See more Nol P @NolPKelowna Aug 3 Was hard to watch this one and knowing that nothing has gotten better out there with all of the world and all of the rapists and all of the bad people! And all of the hate! This was my 2nd time ever only seeing this. Sean Penn is typically way over the top as his style goes but this one he did really well to back off the Sean in him and he put together a fine piece of acting! Well directed by Tim Robbins! Strong, gripping but tough to watch...a must see! 8.5 of 10! See more ed m Jul 5 Great movie. Sean Penn's best performance. See more john h Jun 5 Dead Man Walking is one of the several Sean Penn performances that categorize his career roles as intense and serious. Despite the empathy we feel for a man on death row, anyone who ever wanted Penn's character to somehow find a way out is put off when the actual crimes are depicted on the screen, dehumanizing him until the tears roll for forgiveness. See more Stephen C @bob25009 May 15 2 hours and 2 minutes of crimes and drama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $37,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Johannes S Mar 16 Captivating story with amazing performances. Questions ones views about the death penalty. See more Read all reviews
Dead Man Walking

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Cast & Crew

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Tim Robbins

Director

Susan Sarandon

Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn

Matthew Poncelet

Robert Prosky

Hilton Barber

Raymond J. Barry

Earl Delacroix

R. Lee Ermey

Clyde Percy

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Dead Man Walking

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Movie Info

Synopsis As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) nears his execution date, he calls upon Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) to help him with one last appeal, maintaining that he is innocent of the murders of a young couple. Poncelet begins to form a bond with Prejean, and she visits both his family and the relatives of the victims, hoping to learn more about the case. As things begin to look bleak for Poncelet, Prejean does all that she can to comfort and console the hardened convict.
Director
Tim Robbins
Producer
Rudd Simmons, Tim Robbins, Jon Kilik
Screenwriter
Tim Robbins
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Gramercy Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 29, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 7, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.1M
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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