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.
Acting
Penn and Sarandon at absolute peak—raw, ugly, transcendent
Direction
Robbins refuses easy answers, lets scenes breathe despair
Writing
Dialogue that wrestles with God and doesn't flinch
Director
Tim Robbins
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
Nesbitt Blaisdell
Warden Hartman
Larry Pine
Guy Gilardi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sarandon researched with real Sister Helen Prejean; Penn spent nights in an actual death row cell to prepare.
Released during peak 1990s death penalty debate, the film became required viewing in seminaries and law schools alike.
US
GB
