Dead Man Walking

1st watched 8/31/1996 - (Dir-Tim Robbins): Very thought provoking and very well done movie on the subject of the death penalty. Deserved more recognition and publicity than it received.

This is the best film we have ever seen. It changes my way of looking at the problem of death penalty. Taking care of human life is everybody's duty, even if we're talking about 'monsters' that have killed. But it is important not only to avoid killing killers, we must not forget the victims and people that have suffered and still suffer for the loss of a loved one. Thank you, Susan.

I understand this film is based on truth. If so, justice was served, although not in the fashion or time frame which I would have liked. The caring nun was well portrayed, I'm sure bleeding hearts like her abound in the religious structure. Her sympathy for the killer was misplaced, he deserved as violent a death as he dealt out to the 2 teens. If a person like that goes looking for trouble, then they should be able to take it when it comes to them. I wonder if the nun would have been so concerned with this creep's condition if it had been her family that was slain. The acting was superb, the dialogue intense and dramatic, and the story had a terrific punch as it dealt with a common happening in our society today. Excellent movie.

If you think about it, it's nearly unbelievable that a film could be made about the death penalty (one of the world's most controversial topics) that offends neither those for nor against. It's a testament to Tim Robbins' extraordinary intelligence and sensitivity, traits that can be seen in his acting roles as well (Shawshank Redemption, Jacob's Ladder). This film in fact hints at a subtle compromise between the "for" and "against" camps... so subtle that it can't be put into words, subtle to the point of vanishing, yet one gets the sense after watching the picture that a compromise is possible, that somehow it can be worked out if only we look deeply enough...

One of the best ever. Direction, fotography, a thrilling and dramatic history, wonderful soundtrack and, most of all, the incredible credibility of Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, the best and most underestimated "under-40 generation" actor. After seeing this movie i guess if there's anyone who couldn't have any doubt about giving death to another man, in spite of the ugly things he could have done?

A rhetorical question: You have loved the movie, perhaps cried over it; you empathised with the poor Poncelet family and Sister Helen's predicament . .. now, can you name the two kids whom Poncelet brutally and viciously murdered in cold blood? If you can't, you are crying for the wrong reasons and should be ashamed of yourself. . . . When will someone make a movie of the tragedies that were THEIR lives, cut short by this miserable scumbag Poncelet? I shed no tears for him either during the film or after it. I almost always keep a modicum of doubt in my mind about the validity of ANY case. If nothing else, killing him absolutely guaranteed that no other innocent teenagers would have their lives and even the memories of their names erased while he basks in the glory of media publicity forever and ever.

A thoughtful, brave and compelling story with all the complexities of punishment, forgiveness, evil, redemption and guilt. Unlike typical Hollywood it avoids polemics and captures a harrowing slice-of-life with many questions and no absolute answers. Great performances all around, particularly Susan Sarandon.