A powerful and challenging story raising many questions, based on the book by nun Helen Prejean – her memoir of the spiritual accompaniment of a prisoner sentenced to death. A succession of principled questions and challenges unfold before the man.

Matthew Poncelet is imprisoned on suspicion of murder and rape. He is later sentenced to death. Before his execution, he is taken in by Sister Helen, who wants to be a close spiritual person to him.

Through Helen, Matthew comes to know the true love of man, but also the love of God. Because of her actions, Sister Helen is often met with contempt. She has to cope with the hatred and misunderstanding of the victims’ families.

Matthew denies that he is responsible for the acts of which he is accused. He still hopes to be pardoned. He regularly lies to Sister Helen and tries to take advantage of her.

Before his death, there is a turning point for Matthew, he confesses to the murder and rape and regrets what he has done. It may sound cheesy, but this film is not cheesy at all.

Parents Guide: Rape, though the scene is relatively discreet. Matthew’s execution. Murder. Saying God’s name in vain. Some profanity. In the film, Sister Helen does not urge Matthew to confess. While I don’t know how it is in Sister Helen’s book, I don’t want to believe that a religious sister would “forget” this indispensable means of obtaining God’s graces.

Cast: Flavio Insinna, Lina Sastri, Charles Dance, Lewis Crutch, Alessandra Martines

Crew: Lodovico Gasparini

United Kingdom / USA, 1995

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