Dead Man Walking (Blu-ray)
Directed by Tim Robbins
Studio: MGM/UA
Year: 1995
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 1080p AVC codec
Running Time: 122 minutes
Rating: R
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 2.0 French, Spanish, others
Subtitles: SDH, French, Spanish, others
Region: A
MSRP: $ 19.99
Release Date: March 2011
Review Date: May 14, 2011
The Film
4.5/5
Director Robert Wise’s harrowing presentation of a condemned woman’s last months before her execution in I Want to Live! seemed to be the last word in execution dramas until the release of Tim Robbins’ Dead Man Walking, Could it be possible to surpass Wise’s achievement in developing an escalating emotional climate to such a fever pitch of involvement that it was almost unbearable to watch? Dead Man Walking matches Wise’s film in impact and surpasses it in stylistic construction and execution. Of course, Robbins had the greater freedom of expression by making his movie in an era far removed from the restrictions of the Production Code, but his achievement is nonetheless something of a masterwork, tremendously moving, highly personal, and hauntingly memorable.
The movie is based on the true story of Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon), a Louisiana nun who chooses to serve as helpmate and spiritual advisor to condemned murderer Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn). At first, the good sister tries to find ways to have the death penalty overthrown, and with only eleven days left before his execution, time is precious. As door after door closes in her face, however, she realizes the true mission of her involvement with this despicable man. If she can get him to admit his crimes and own up to his responsibility for the torment he has caused to the families of his innocent victims, she can assure him of the salvation she feels he is entitled to.
Director Tim Robbins, however, is steadfast in his determination to work the miracle of our intense involvement in this case without making the killer a sympathetic victim or an innocent bystander. (Barbara Graham, the condemned woman in I Want to Live! was felt to be innocent by director Wise, so the film was slanted toward the unfairness of her predicament.) As amazing and impossible as it may sound, one finishes the film feeling a well of compassion for one of the vilest, most realistically hateful protagonists ever shown on the screen. Robbins never pontificates in his script or his direction; all sides are presented fairly and with tact. Susan Sarandon playing Sister Helen is remarkable showing the depths of her patience, her love, and her striving for fairness. It is one of her most subtle and winning characterizations in a career filled with some matchless work. Her inner calm, her spiritual quiet in the face of hatred and fear is the actress’ most striking achievement here. No less winning, however, is Sean Penn. Robbed of some of the mannerisms and self-indulgences he occasionally uses in his roles, we’re allowed to see the true qualities of selfishness, ego, and ultimately sorrow of this pathetic, ignorant man in the clearest of lights. The scenes between these two superb actors crackle with a give and take that makes for mesmerizing viewing.
Supporting players are also memorable. Roberta Maxwell makes Penn’s mother a pitiable creature, a faithful mother and simple woman ill-prepared to handle a renegade son condemned to death. Raymond J. Barry has several quietly but emotionally effective moments as the father of the murdered boy while R. Lee Ermey and Celia Weston get several telling scenes to develop their roles as the angry, vengeful parents of their murdered daughter. Margo Martindale adds understanding and gentility as Sarandon’s steadfast fellow nun. Scott Wilson has a couple of chilling scenes as, of all things, the prison chaplain. Robert Prosky brings his authoritative edge to the lawyer who’s trying everything he can think of to extend the prisoner’s time before his lethal injection.
Robbins, who wrote the script in addition to directing and co-producing the picture, keeps things moving quite well through multiple flashbacks to the murder scene which add periodic bits of additional information to our knowledge of the murders as the picture builds to its shattering climax. He also does time his scenes measuredly, never rushing to the next sequence but having the confidence to pause and reflect on the scene just completed. On the other hand, he uses facial reflections in glass to keep from having to jump back and forth between his actors for reaction shots, a wonderful idea. The film’s final half hour is quite brilliantly executed as plot threads wind their way toward the inevitable conclusion. The religious symbolism is maybe a bit too heavy in the lethal injection chamber, but that’s a quibble. It doesn’t destroy the movie’s carefully constructed and altogether responsive conclusion.
Video Quality
4.5/5
The film is presented in its theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is offered in 1080p using the AVC codec. Despite the film now being over fifteen years old, the image is spotless with no age-related artifacts at all. Color is well saturated without being overdone though flesh tones do err on the overtly pink/rosy side of the scale. Sharpness is exemplary with plenty of detail to be seen during the film’s numerous close-ups. Black levels are also excellent with outstanding shadow detail. The film has been divided into 18 chapters.
Audio Quality
3.5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix is definitely front-centered through much of the presentation. Occasionally one will hear echoes of the music drifting into the rear channels, but the film offers much stronger quality in its front soundstage where music and sound effects reside amicably. Dialogue has been well recorded and has been placed in the center channel.
Special Features
2/5
Writer-director Tim Robbins offers a measured if effective audio commentary. He has great praise for the actors and the crews working on location in Louisiana and New York (where prison interiors were filmed). His political leanings are easily discernible as he talks about capital punishment, but he makes his stances with enough discretion that political conservatives should not find them infuriating.
The film’s theatrical trailer runs for 2 ¼ minutes and is presented in 1080p.
In Conclusion
4/5 (not an average)
Dead Man Walking is an emotionally challenging and intellectually stimulating picture, one worthy of the magnificent talents involved. It is definitely a picture not to be missed, and its Blu-ray release presents it with a mostly marvelous video presentation. Highly recommended!
Matt Hough
Charlotte, NC
