before see this film and i suggest the viewer put away any expectation that the victim of the crime depict will get equal treatment and consideration a the perpetrator . there have be many film about crime victim . this one be about the murderer . dead man walk find realism in simplicity of the story represent there be no crack lawyer come to save william poncelet and no dramatic story twist . the film do not attempt to put him in a good light while he be guilty and he be repugnant and be a racist and and be responsible for heinous murder . give all this and we be ask to do something very difficult represent look at him a a human be despite his crime . in this way and the film challenge the notion that the death penalty provide justice . whether you be for or against the death penalty and the film raise question about whether the guilty can find redemption and inequity in the justice system and and the appropriateness of the death penalty . great performance by both susan sarandon and sean penn . in particular the last moment of the film show the true depth of penn ability .