Midnight Express is a 1978 American-British film directed by Alan Parker, based on the true story of Billy Hayes, an American student who is caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The film depicts Hayes’ experiences in a brutal Turkish prison, where he faces physical and psychological torture from the guards and other inmates, as well as his desperate attempts to escape and return to his home country.
Review:
Midnight Express is a gripping and intense film that explores the horrors of incarceration in a foreign country. The film is well-directed and well-acted, particularly by Brad Davis in the lead role of Billy Hayes. The film’s depiction of the brutal conditions of Turkish prisons and the inhumane treatment of inmates is harrowing and disturbing. The film also raises important questions about the nature of justice and the treatment of prisoners, particularly those who are foreigners.
Awards:
The film won two Academy Awards in 1979, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. Additionally, the film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, as well as the BAFTA Award for Best Film.
| Directed by | Alan Parker |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Alan Marshall David Puttnam |
| Screenplay by | Oliver Stone |
| Based on | Midnight Express by Billy Hayes William Hoffer |
| Starring | Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Paul L. Smith, |
| Music by | Giorgio Moroder |
| Cinematography | Michael Seresin |
| Edited by | Gerry Hambling |
| Production company |
Casablanca FilmWorks |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date | May 18, 1978 (Cannes Film Festival) August 10, 1978 (UK) October 6, 1978 (US) |
| Running time | 121 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States |
| Languages | English Turkish Maltese |
| Budget | $2.3 million |
| Box office | $35 million |