Film Snail

7.3

Dead Man Walking

R·1995·122m

Drama

Summary

A death row inmate turns for spiritual guidance to a local nun in the days leading up to his scheduled execution for the murders of a young couple.

Cast

Susan Sarandon

Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn

Matthew Poncelet

Robert Prosky

Hilton Barber

Raymond J. Barry

Earl Delacroix

R. Lee Ermey

Clyde Percy

Celia Weston

Mary Beth Percy

Lois Smith

Helen's Mother

Scott Wilson

Chaplain Farley

Roberta Maxwell

Lucille Poncelet

Margo Martindale

Sister Colleen

Barton Heyman

Captain Beliveau

Steve Boles

Sgt. Neal Trapp

Nesbitt Blaisdell

Warden Hartman

Ray Aranha

Luis Montoya

Larry Pine

Guy Gilardi

Gil Robbins

Bishop Norwich

Kevin Cooney

Governor Benedict

Clancy Brown

State Trooper

Adele Robbins

Nurse

Michael Cullen

Carl Vitello

Peter Sarsgaard

Walter Delacroix

Missy Yager

Hope Percy

Jenny Krochmal

Emily Percy

Jack Black

Craig Poncelet

Jon Abrahams

Sonny Poncelet

Arthur Bridgers

Troy Poncelet

Steve Carlisle

Helen's Brother

Helen Hester

Helen's Sister

Eva Amurri

9-Year-Old Helen

Jack Henry Robbins

Opossum Kid #1

Gary "Buddy" Boe

Opossum Kid #2

Amy Long

Opossum Kid #3

Dennis Neal

Henry

Molly Bryant

Nellie

Pamela Garmon

Mirabeau

Adrián Colón

Reporter

John D. Wilmot

Supporter

Margaret Lane

Reporter #1

Sally Ann Roberts

Reporter #2

Alec Gifford

Reporter #3

John Hurlbutt

Reporter #4

Mike Longman

News Anchor

Pete Burris

Parent #1

Joan Glover

Parent #2

Florrie Hathorn

Parent #3

Lenore Banks

Parent #4

Idella Cassamier

Idella

Marlon Horton

Herbie

Kenitra Singleton

Kenitra

Palmer Jackson

Palmer

Johnathan Thomas

Johnathan

Walter Breaux Jr.

Guard #1

Scott Sowers

Guard #2

Cortez Nance Jr.

Guard #3

Adam Nelson

Guard #4

Dalvin Ford

Guard #5

Derek Steeley

Guard #6

Jeremy Knaster

Guard #7

Mary Robbins

Aide to Governor Benedict

Miles Robbins

Boy in Church

Crystal Williams Brown

Churchgoer (uncredited)

Marcus Lyle Brown

Parole Board Member (uncredited)

Joanna Doherty

Nun (uncredited)

Anthony Michael Frederick

Trustee (uncredited)

Thomas McGowan

ER Doctor (uncredited)

Rawleigh Moreland

Senator (uncredited)

Helen Prejean

Woman at Vigil (uncredited)

Codie Scott

Cop (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Writer

Tim Robbins

Book

Helen Prejean

Reviews

narrator56

September 16, 2020

This is a terrific movie, with dramatic power and a balanced look at the issue of capital punishment. It is based on a true story written and lived by a nun, Sister Helen Prejean though, as usually happens, the story is modified to fit the needs of a dramatic movie. For example, the two inmates she provided spiritual advice to are merged into one for this film. As a side note, Sister Prejean has an uncredited appearance in a scene concerning a vigil.

The movie is gritty at times,but always watchable. Susan Surandon received an academy award for her performance.

In addition to it being a great movie, there are two soundtrack albums of note. The first is the soundtrack, featuring an array of songs by Springsteen, Johnny Cash and others. Also there is a movie score version, with music of a more atmospheric nature. I use it to read or write fiction to sometimes.