Dead Man Walking (film)

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	Susan Sarandon Sean Penn Robert Prosky Raymond J. Barry R. Lee Ermey Scott Wilson
Cinematography	Roger A. Deakins
Edited by	Lisa Zeno Churgin
Music by	David Robbins
Production companies	Working Title Films Havoc[1]
Distributed by	Gramercy Pictures (United States) PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (International)
Release dates	December 29, 1995 (1995-12-29) (United States) April 12, 1996 (1996-04-12) (United Kingdom)
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. It marked Peter Sarsgaard’s film debut.

In the film, 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 and Penn were nominated for Best Director and Best Actor respectively. Bruce Springsteen was nominated for Best Original Song for the single "Dead Man Walkin'".