Dead Man Walking - Definition and Overview

Dead Man Walking is a 1995 film based on the true story of Sister Helen Prejean (played by Susan Sarandon), a nun and anti-death penalty advocate, who established a special relationship with a prisoner on death row (played by Sean Penn). The movie also stars Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry and R. Lee Ermey. The movie was directed by Tim Robbins, who adapted the story from Sister Prejean's autobiographical account of the incident.

Susan Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role, and the film was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Sean Penn), Best Director and Best Music, Song (for Bruce Springsteen for Dead Man Walking).

The film takes many liberties with the story as presented in Prejean's book, for instance consolidating two different people Prejean counseled on Death Row, as well as their crimes and their victims' families.