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MOVIES / ON DVD / DEAD MAN WALKING
Dead Man Walking

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Dead Man Walking (1995)

94%
100%
90%
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94 %
Reviews Counted: 51 Fresh: 48  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.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins

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 on death row after being convicted of raping and brutally murdering a young couple. He writes... 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 Prejean, who strongly opposes capital punishment, attempts to get Poncelet's death sentence rescinded.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]

Genre: Dramas

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

Director: Tim Robbins
Composer: David Robbins

DVD Info

Release:

Oct 1, 2009

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Keep Case

Audio:

  • (unspecified) - English

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

This makes you think harder about crime and punishment than, say, The Green Mile, delivering uneasy truths rather than comforting melodrama.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

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 | comment Comment
07/29/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image
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.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/10/06
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
4/4

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

Full Review | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image
A+

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 | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
3.5/4

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

Full Review | comment Comment
12/05/04
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/23/03
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Ratings Image
4/4

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

Full Review | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
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7/10

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
04/04/03
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews
Ratings Image
5/5

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

comment Comment
03/28/03
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
03/20/03
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
03/06/03
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire
Ratings Image
5/5

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

comment Comment
02/10/03
Shannon J. Harvey
Sunday Times (Australia)
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5/5

No review available.

comment Comment
02/06/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Ratings Image
5/5

No review available.

comment Comment
11/24/02
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Ratings Image
5/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
11/07/02
James Rocchi
Netflix
Ratings Image
5/5

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
09/23/02
Widgett Walls
Needcoffee.com
Ratings Image
N/A

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 | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal
Ratings Image
10/10

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

comment Comment
08/08/02
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum
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