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Dead Man Walking

  • 19951995
  • RR
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
94K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,815
245
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama

A nun, while comforting a convicted killer on death row, empathizes with both the killer and his victim's families.A nun, while comforting a convicted killer on death row, empathizes with both the killer and his victim's families.A nun, while comforting a convicted killer on death row, empathizes with both the killer and his victim's families.

IMDb RATING
7.5/10
94K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,815
245
  • Director
    • Tim Robbins
  • Writers
    • Helen Prejean(book "Dead Man Walking")
    • Tim Robbins
  • Stars
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Sean Penn
    • Robert Prosky
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tim Robbins
  • Writers
    • Helen Prejean(book "Dead Man Walking")
    • Tim Robbins
  • Stars
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Sean Penn
    • Robert Prosky
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 234User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 23 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Official Trailer

    Photos109

    Susan Sarandon and Roberta Maxwell in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Raymond J. Barry in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    R. Lee Ermey and Celia Weston in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon and Robert Prosky in Dead Man Walking (1995)
    Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking (1995)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Sister Helen Prejeanas Sister Helen Prejean
    Sean Penn
    Sean Penn
    • Matthew Ponceletas Matthew Poncelet
    Robert Prosky
    Robert Prosky
    • Hilton Barberas Hilton Barber
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Earl Delacroixas Earl Delacroix
    R. Lee Ermey
    R. Lee Ermey
    • Clyde Percyas Clyde Percy
    Celia Weston
    Celia Weston
    • Mary Beth Percyas Mary Beth Percy
    Lois Smith
    Lois Smith
    • Helen's Motheras Helen's Mother
    Scott Wilson
    Scott Wilson
    • Chaplain Farleyas Chaplain Farley
    Roberta Maxwell
    Roberta Maxwell
    • Lucille Ponceletas Lucille Poncelet
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Sister Colleenas Sister Colleen
    Barton Heyman
    Barton Heyman
    • Captain Beliveauas Captain Beliveau
    Steve Boles
    • Sgt. Neal Trappas Sgt. Neal Trapp
    Nesbitt Blaisdell
    Nesbitt Blaisdell
    • Warden Hartmanas Warden Hartman
    Ray Aranha
    • Luis Montoyaas Luis Montoya
    Larry Pine
    Larry Pine
    • Guy Gilardias Guy Gilardi
    Gil Robbins
    • Bishop Norwichas Bishop Norwich
    Kevin Cooney
    Kevin Cooney
    • Governor Benedictas Governor Benedict
    Clancy Brown
    Clancy Brown
    • State Trooperas State Trooper
    • Director
      • Tim Robbins
    • Writers
      • Helen Prejean(book "Dead Man Walking")
      • Tim Robbins
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A convicted murderer on Death Row and the nun who befriends him. Through the portrayal of finely drawn characters and their interactions as the days, hours, and minutes tick down to the condemned man's execution, powerful emotions are unleashed. While Matthew Poncelet and Sister Prejean desperately try to gain a stay of execution from the governor or the courts, scenes are intercut from the brutal crime, gradually revealing the truth about the events that transpired. In addition to her temporal help, the nun also tries to reach out spiritually and assist as a guide to salvation. —Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
    • nun
    • capital punishment
    • solitary confinement
    • f rated
    • execution
    • 180 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for a depiction of a rape and murder
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After being told that she would be played in the film by "a famous actress from Thelma & Louise (1991)", Sister Helen Prejean was introduced to Susan Sarandon and said "Thank God, she's Louise."
    • Goofs
      The chemicals used in lethal injections in Louisiana are administered manually, not by a machine as in the movie.
    • Quotes

      Prison Guard: Tell me something, Sister. What is a nun doing in a place like this? Shouldn't you be teaching children? Do you know what this man has done? How he killed them kids?

      Sister Helen Prejean: What he was involved with was evil. I don't condone it. I just don't see the sense of killing people to say killing people's wrong.

      Prison Guard: You know how the Bible says "an eye for an eye."

      Sister Helen Prejean: You know what else the Bible asks for? Death as a punishment for adultery, prostitution, homosexuality, trespass upon sacred ground, profaning the Sabbath, and contempt of parents.

      Prison Guard: I ain't gonna get into no Bible quoting with no nun, 'cause I'm gonna lose.

    • Crazy credits
      This Film Was Edited On Old Fashioned Machines. This credit was inspired by John Ottman, editor of 'The Usual Suspects'. Ottman had wanted to put "edited on a piece of s*** Steenbeck" at the end of his movie, but settled for the more subtle "Edited on film". Tim Robbins heard about this, and decided to put his own variation of the line on the credits of 'Dead Man Walking.'
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Nixon/Jumanji/Heat/Mr. Holland's Opus/Sense and Sensibility/Othello (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      The Face of Love
      Performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Eddie Vedder
      Written by David Robbins, Tim Robbins & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
      Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan courtesy of Real World Records, Ltd.
      Eddie Vedder courtesy of Epic Records

    User reviews234

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Amazingly objective and moving
    I'm astonished how a filmmaker notorious for his political left-wing fervor could make such a subtle, non-sanctimonious picture. If you're for capital punishment, you'll still be for it after seeing this. If you're against capital punishment, you'll still be against it. But whatever your stance is, this movie will, at the very least, make you reflect on why you feel the way you do. There's not one false note in the film.
    helpful•102
    33
    • garpo
    • Mar 12, 2001

    FAQ6

    • What is 'Dead Man Walking' about?
    • Is 'Dead Man Walking' based on a book?
    • Is this based on a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 2, 1996 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Мертвий іде
    • Filming locations
      • Angola, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Havoc
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $39,363,635
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $118,266
      • Jan 1, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $39,363,635
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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