It's a truly excellent film, possessing considerable emotional impact and presenting a fair perspective on the death penalty. The narrative stems from a factual account penned and experienced by Sister Helen Prejean; however, as is common with adaptations for cinematic purposes, alterations were made to accommodate the demands of storytelling. For instance, the two prisoners she offered spiritual guidance to are consolidated into a single character within this version. Interestingly, Sister Prejean makes an uncredited cameo during a scene depicting a vigil. The film occasionally portrays harsh realities, but it remains consistently engaging. Susan Sarandon was recognized with an Academy Award for her acting contribution. Beyond its merits as a motion picture, there are two noteworthy soundtrack releases. One is the official soundtrack, showcasing songs by Springsteen, Johnny Cash, and various other artists. There's also a version consisting solely of the film’s score, which has a more evocative quality—I sometimes listen to it while reading or writing stories.

Source on TMDB