Dead Man Walking Analysis

581 Words3 Pages
Justice is expressed in a variety of ways by composers as they communicate their ideas and point of views. Tim Robbins in “Dead Man Walking” conveys the difficulties associated with the death penalty, by contrasting two complex ideas, justice and revenge. Robbins portrays his message by composing a theatrical film which represents thoughts about justice through the use of camera angles, characterisation and juxtaposition. The song “Bullet and a Target” by Australian rap band Bliss n Eso, is one which ideas about justice are explored in a distinct way by making the listener feel as if there part of the song. This rap band has created a song that has strong lyrics and a constant sound of repetition so that ideas on justice are emphasised powerfully and emotionally giving listeners a firm understanding on the concept conveyed. The topic of justice is expressed by each composer, one through film and the other through a song. Tim Robbins in “Dead Man Walking” is able to express his ideas on justice in a juxtaposed way. He achieves this by showing two sides of the character Matthew Poncelet. The Death Penalty is seen as the only option in restoring solace for the victims’ families, which Robbins inexcusable portrays. Poncelet commits a terrible crime; capital punishment is seen as the only justice that can be made for the victims’ families. Through the use of camera angles, Robbins achieves a bird’s eye view on the victim’s dead bodies, which ironically shifts to an image of Matthew on his execution table, now a sufferer of his own injustice. The juxtaposition of Matthew killing the innocent couple to him on his death bed emphasises poncelet as being a victim of his own crime. Robbins advocates capital punishment as a necessity of one’s death, for the comfort of another and how by contrasting the two deaths, we see that justice has prevailed. In the film, Robbins

More about Dead Man Walking Analysis

Open Document