Dead Man Walking | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Tim Robbins |
Screenplay by | Tim Robbins |
Based on | Dead Man Walking by Helen Prejean |
Produced by | Jon Kilik Tim Robbins Rudd Simmons |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Roger A. Deakins |
Edited by | Lisa Zeno Churgin |
Music by | David Robbins |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Gramercy Pictures (United States) PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (International) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 122 minutes |
Countries | United Kingdom United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $11 million |
Box office | $83 million |
Dead Man Walking is a 1995 American crime drama film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, and co-produced and directed by Tim Robbins, who adapted the screenplay from the 1993 non-fiction book of the same name.
Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon) establishes a special relationship with Matthew Poncelet (Penn), a character based on convicted murderers Elmo Patrick Sonnier and Robert Lee Willie. He is a prisoner on death row in Louisiana, and she visits him as his spiritual adviser after corresponding with him.
The film was a critical and commercial success; it grossed $83 million on a budget of $11 million and received praise for the performances of Penn and Sarandon, as well as Robbins's direction. Sarandon's performance won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, while Robbins, Penn and Bruce Springsteen were nominated for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Song, respectively, for the single "Dead Man Walkin'".