DEAD MAN WALKING

My English students are currently doing a theme of crime and punishment, of which the death penalty forms a part. So it was an obvious idea to show them the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. A very good film, it was directed by Tim Robbins and stars Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Both were nominated for Oscars; Sarandon won the one for best actress.

Anybody who believes that the death penalty is fair and just should watch this film.Taking the long view, the continuous reduction in the amount and reach of state-sanctioned murder is one of the few undoubtedly positive developments in history. It's just a pity that the U.S. (notably) and other countries haven't yet got to that point.

Walter Blotscher