With reference to characterisation and film techniques, how does the director Tim Robbins Depict the death penalty in his film ''Dead Man Walking''?
Johir Islam
Penn) and a well-educated nun, Sister Helen Prejean, (Susan Sarandon). Poncelot is sentenced to death and as he is unable to afford a decent lawyer, he has to defend himself until Prejean steps in voluntarily to help him lodge an appeal against his sentence. The narrative is non-linear and it draws in the audience. At this time, there was a nation wide campaign to cut down on crime and increase the number of convicted criminals executed. Poncelot's appeal is denied, with the full support of the campaign and the murdered victim's families. The audience reacts by asking a rhetorical question: 'Why would anyone want to help a monster like Poncelot?' Prejean explains this by believing in second chances. However, many people, like the victim's families would like to see Poncelot dead.
Poncelot is portrayed as a racist. He is arrogant, ignorant, uneducated and considers himself as a 'red neck' or 'hick'. However that may just be a stereotype that we fail to see. He is sentenced to death for the murder of a seventeen year old and murdering and raping his seventeen year old girlfriend. On the other hand, Prejean is portrayed as kind, liberal and forgiving. She has given up everything to become a nun. She believes in mercy, forgiveness and in second chances: ''I'm just trying to follow the example of Jesus, who said that every person is worth their worst act.'' Prejean is very independent. She visits the prison chaplain and is asked about her nun's habit, which she is not wearing. She does not need the clothes of a nun to behave and think like one. This also shows that she is liberal. At the start of the film, we are shown some old home movies of Prejean's past which creates a contrast between her past and present. This tells the audience about her background and privileged, supportive family. Her dream since childhood was to become a nun. She had always wanted to help the community and the people. She wanted to help race relations and tension between the coloured and white community. The prison chaplain thinks differently. He is cynical and contemptuous about Prejean's involvement with helping a convicted criminal. He is traditional, strict and doesn't believe in second chances.
The only time we feel sympathy for Poncelot is at the end when he is dying. We realise during this scene that he has truly learned his lesson but knows
With reference to characterisation and film techniques, how does the director Tim Robbins Depict the death penalty in his film ''Dead Man Walking''?
Johir Islam
it is too late. Before leaving the world and heading for the after life, Poncelot realises that an apology is necessary for his monstrous deed, and he succeeds in
winning some forgiveness. Poncelot says: ''I think killing is wrong whether I do it or ya'll'', which emphasises that he has learnt the value of life. All of this is used ingeniously by Robbins to establish a conflict between white people of the same religion-which means we focus on the issue of the death penalty and not on race relations or religious differences.
The most effective cinematography techniques are found in the scene in which Poncelot is in the process of being executed and is dying slowly. As he is slowly fading away, the camera cross cuts to flashbacks of the scene of the murder. Poncelot remembers the attack vividly. The flashbacks are in colour so it is very clear and are from Poncelot's perspective so we finally see what really happened. This juxtaposition of the victim's violent, undignified death and Poncelot's own death reveals Robbins' intention to present an unbiased view of the death penalty.
Cross cutting is used effectively between Poncelot's dying body and the murder. Cross cutting is also used between shots of the body of Poncelot and the poison filled syringes. This makes a comparison and helps the audience to see everything going on. Parallel shots are also used to link the teenage victims to Poncelot suggesting that they are all victims. As Poncelot is asking for forgiveness to the families of the victim's, he is put in a Christ-like position, which suggests that his death will rid some sins.
At the beginning of the film, we are shown an extreme close up of Prejean when she is driving to the prison, which reveals her character and facial expression. She's thoughtful, calm and concentrating. As she is driving, we find an example of non-diegetic sound when we hear Poncelot's voice reading out his letters. We hear him before we see him, which creates an atmosphere of tension. The letters are an insight to his character. We are given a tracking shot of Prejean as she walks up to Hope House, which establishes Prejean's job and her close-knit relationship with children.
With reference to characterisation and film techniques, how does the director Tim Robbins Depict the death penalty in his film ''Dead Man Walking''?
Johir Islam
We are later shown tension building close up shots of Prejean and Poncelot when they are talking in the prison. Poncelot is always shown behind the wire screen emphasising that he is imprisoned and trapped.
Louisiana is a southern state, which means the audience should expect vast amounts of racism and inequality. Louisiana also strongly supports the death penalty. Many people are uneducated thus are ignorant leading to racism. Economic segregation is also a cause of ignorance and racism-there are many places where only whites are permitted to live. In addition, a lot of the taxpayers money is spent on criminals and prisoners, so many welcomed the execution of the convicted. The character's accents give away the location of the film. They have southern accents and use dialect, for example Poncelot exclaims ''momma'' which instantly establishes the region. The audience will have certain preconceptions of the south which are to except racism, segregation, and high levels of crime, unemployment and lack of education.
The prison is depicted as a harsh, unforgiving, merciless house of death. The lighting is very dim and dark. Doors are slammed violently and the echoing screams on inmates can be heard which all highlight the harsh nature of the prison.
Poncelot is not given an honourable or dignified death. Prison wardens shave one of his legs and tag him like an animal. He is executed in his prison uniform emphasising that he will die a prisoner. A pair of fluffy white slippers also gives us a similar message.
Dissolved shots from the execution room to outside of a church gives the closing sequence a calm atmosphere. We have just witnessed the execution of a convicted murderer and rapist and we are now given a shot of a beautiful building on a tranquil, sunny day. The director has chosen to end the film calmly to again remind us that his film is completely unbiased.
Most of the time when the characters are locked in a conversation, silence is used to create tension. Non-diegetic sound is used when Poncelot is about to be injected. We hear a requiem to make us feel sympathetic towards Poncelot.
With reference to characterisation and film techniques, how does the director Tim Robbins Depict the death penalty in his film ''Dead Man Walking''?
Johir Islam
The requiem also suggests that Poncelot will be going to heaven because he confessed to his sins.
We hear calm, soothing music at the closing scene with the shot of the church, which helps create a soothing, calm ending to the film.
In conclusion, I believe Ben Stephens' statement about Robbins and his film ''Dead Man Walking'' is correct-it does have the usual arguments for and
against the death penalty but the film is remarkably unbiased. Robbins wanted his film to be unbiased and that’s what it is-the film is on neither side, for or against. It makes you come to your own conclusions.
I am ambivalent about the death penalty. I'd agree to the death penalty if my family were the victim because it is an emotional issue. I don’t think there is a possibility of forgiveness for the murderer as I strongly believe in the saying ''an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That way the whole world would be blind and toothless.'' However, we must remember that killing someone doesn't solve anything. Two wrongs do not make a right. However if I were in Poncelot's situation, or if a family member or close friend was, I would obviously be against the death penalty. It all depends on the given situation. I have learned that life is unfair but to succeed in life we must learn to deal with the ups and downs of life.
