Customer Reviews

Midnight Express

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(36)

 

 

Many reviewers ridicule the method used to try and smuggle the drugs in this movie, but back in the early 1970's (when the film was based) these kind of methods actually took place. Yes, people are stupid for doing these things ... but it's hard not to have compassion for them when they are served lifetime sentences.

"Midnight Express" explores one man's time in a hellish Turkish prison. The tension of being caught and then beaten in prison are so well captured that you almost don't want to look. One scene that comes to mind is when Davis is hung upside down and beaten so bad, you can almost feel it.

Davis performance is exceptional, yet did not give him the career you'd expect. An excellent actor, who died at the age of 41.

The DVD itself is excellent too. An impressive widescreen transfer, plus a full screen option thrown in for people who dont know the value of widescreen (ie. a pointless inclusion in my opinion). The DVD also boasts a 1978 documentary of the film, and a trailer.

A must own! One of the best prison films to date, along with "Shawshank Redemption".

It's about never giving up hope.

The 1978 film "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" was a film that was known for its controversial story but also seen as a film masterpiece as it was the first major film to depict foreigners inhumane treatment in prison and it was brought alive due to the awesome performance by actor Brad Davis ("Chariots of Fire", "Roots") and a film directed by Alan Parker ("Bugsy Malone", "Pink Floyd the Wall", "Fame", "Evita" and "Angela's Ashes") and a screenplay by Oliver Stone ("Platoon", "JFK", "Natural Born Killers", "The Doors" and "Alexander"). The film would also feature the talents of composer Giorgio Moroder ("Flashdance", "Scarface" and "Over the Top") and cinematography by Michael Seresin ("Fame", "Angela's Ashes", "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Step Up").

"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" would be nominated for seven Academy Awards and won an Academy Award for "Best Music", "Original Score", "Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium".

But what caught attention was that the film was based on a true story of Billy Hayes who was convicted for smuggling hash and sentenced to four years in a Turk prison where he and many people were tortured. To make matters worse, he became a scapegoat to prevent foreigners from even thinking of smuggling drugs in the country by having his sentenced overturned and giving him a life sentence.

Hayes book "Midnight Express" details his life behind bars and the inhumane treatment that he and others received in prison and eventually how he escaped from the prison. The film adaption had gone through so many hands through its screenplay adaption and studio pressure that in order to make it a commercial film and due to budget constraints and location challenges, there is a difference between the book and the actual film.

But despite the controversy (which Oliver Stone and even the real Billy Hayes have regretted the film's depiction of the Turks), the film was well-known for its powerful performances and its powerful storyline. It's a gritty film that shows the violence behind Hayes experiences at the prison and torture they received. Including other things that were deemed quite controversial back in the late 70's.

It is important to note that this film is featured in Digibook format (a book format and not the standard blue blu-ray case) as it contains a 42-page booklet with Director Alan Parker writing a personal memoir titled "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" is included.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" received its 30th Anniversary treatment back in 2008 and in 2009, gets its High Definition treatment as the film is presented in 1080p High Definition (aspect ratio of 1:85:1).

The film looks incredible on Blu-ray and also compared to its DVD counterpart, the film really shows off the detail and grittiness of the prison and also how bad the conditions were (note: this is one of the controversies as the actual prison was supposedly created in the 1960's but the film makes the prison look like the prison was created many decades before). But the picture quality captures the grittiness of the prisoners and the overall look, is not exactly vibrant but quite detailed.

The film looks as if there was little DNR (digital noise reduction) was used and overall, you can see grain on the film. Overall, this is a superb transfer to Blu-ray and another classic film given awesome treatment from Sony.

As for the audio, the film is presented in English, French and Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1. (Also in Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and the original English mono soundtrack). For the most part, the film is front channel heavy as it is dialog-driven. Although there are action sequences, they are very few and if anything comes alive is the music by Giorgio Moroder.

Overall, its great to see the film receive a lossless soundtrack and also include the original mono soundtrack as well. But you are able to hear the screams of the prisoners while being tortured and overall, the pain and anguish from the talents who just are trying to keep sane in the prison.

As for subtitles, subtitles are in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" comes with several special features featured in High Definition and Standard Definition in English (Stereo) and Portuguese and Spanish subtitles. The Blu-ray is BD-Live enabled.

* "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" by Director Alan Parker - As mentioned, the release is featured in digibook format and includes a 42-page booklet/personal memoir titled "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" by Director Alan Parker. This book is quite thorough in the challenges the film had and also, how Brad Davis was a method actor and in essence became Billy Hayes. Also, how warden Hamidou (Paul L. Smith) was also a bit rough on the actors during the torture scenes to the dismay of the actors who were to pretend as if they were being beaten (and too get that realism, Smith didn't hold back). Also, how John Hurt (who played Max) didn't shower for six weeks in order to make his scene seem real and natural. The personal memoir is quite detailed and those who enjoyed the film will enjoy reading this book filled with photos and storyboard sketches.
* Commentary with Director Alan Parker - If you thought the booklet was full of detail, Director Alan Parker really goes into detail of each scene and what transpired behind-the-scenes of the making of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS".
* The Making of Midnight Express (7:27) The original 1978 featurette with an interview with the real Billy Hayes.
* The Producers - (25:54) Peter Guber (Executive Producer), Producer David Puttnam and Director Alan Parker discuss the challenge of making the film and the changes that had to be made for the film.
* The Production - (24:27) Interviews with Director Alan Parker, Producer Alan Marshall and Billy Hayes. Continuing discussion of the challenges of making the film, which included the studio execs not thrilled of the producers selecting Brad Davis (Richard Gere pulled out of the film) and tried to say he was cross-eyed and thus the producers having to get a medical note that he wasn't cross-eyed and challenges of finding the location and the differences that went into making the film from the original screenplay.
* The Finished Film - (23:49) Discussion of how hardcore of a method actor Brad Davis was and how far Alan Parker pushed him to achieve that powerful performance of Billy Hayes. Also, discussing how the film is based on a true story but is not the true story. And how there are key differences between the film and the book. Featuring interviews with Director Alan Parker and Oliver Stone.
* Photo Gallery - (12:35) A photo gallery which is accompanied by music from the film.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is a powerful film about survival and despite how far low one can be in a situation, the human will to live and survive can lead to amazing wonders. As it has had in the real life situation for Billy Hayes who had one of the most impressive prison escapes.

If there was any negative of the film, it's that the real story of Billy Hayes and his life in prison has been changed for the film adaption. In fact, Billy Hayes has commented in regards to the film that he wished there were more positive portrayals of the Turks and even Oliver Stone has come out and talked about their wish that the film had shown a positive life on some Turks and that not all Turks are bad.

But also, the actual escape of Billy Hayes differs greatly from the film adaption. But considering that there was another planned final for the film that would have been a bit unbelievable, I was content with how the film ended.

The film is ultimately a powerful film and the acting is top notch and Brad Davis just shined in this film. He was incredible playing the part of Billy Hayes and it was a role that consumed him even when near the end of the filming of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS". But his performance made "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" so believable in that despite what he did to receive prison time, we sympathize with him when he is tortured and is told that his four year sentence has been overturned and he would be getting a life sentence.

It was indeed a powerful performance and a powerful film experience that is so visually disturbing and that Director Alan Parker and crew were able to capture the anguish, the anger, the pain and grittiness of the film was amazing.

Overall, "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is an amazing film and worthy of having in your collection. But I can understand if the film may be a bit much for some to watch it for a second time or more.

But for those who did enjoy the film, this Blu-ray release of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is the definitive version to own!

alright I'm Turkish.Just about a week ago I was questioned by a cab driver in washington dc based on his knowledge about Turkey-which was nothing but midnight express.I was disturbed and totally disgusted with his ignorance.How could a man in his sane mind could make judgements based on hollywood productions?
The Turkish hate this movie with a passion.any other viewers here should try to understand that Turkey is a developýng country trying very hard to advertise itself and try to shed off the barbaric image the ottoman empire left it with.a movie like the midnight express could evoke a lot of prejudice and hatred against Turkey -especially for those who could not even tell ýf Turkey was a bird or a country.
Leaving my patriotic emotions aside,As an artist I have to be totally impartial.It was well done.The acting was superb, soundtrack above the standards for it's time and the plot,totally striking.
Just remember,this is not a documentary,its an artistic interpretation of someone who has never been to the Tukish Jail at the time of the event-neither have I. I congradulate Parker for his directing talents but totally hate him for his ignorance in research and his movie's possible effects on a newborn nation.

I feel the movie does some good. It doesn't deny that the main charector was wrong for what he did. Remember, back in 1970, there was a more cavilier attitude towards drugs and he was dealing with the original 4 year prison sentence appropriately. But being beaten, tortured and imprisoned in a foriegn country, with limited contact with family and freinds is going to be traumatic for anyone, and the movie dispays that well.
With that said, however, I think the movie deviates WAY too much from the book. The escape first-handedly described in the book is much more fascinating and would have been better to see than the movies deviation. The ommision of some the amnesties to prisoners makes the movie fall short as well.

The movie gets the basic point of the book across, but the impact could have been stronger if it just followed the story as laid out by the first hand recollection of it.

When you see this movie, it makes you wonder how come ALL Turkish characters in the movie are ugly dumb sadistical perverts (and also pigs, in the main character's "Address to a Nation", in a courtroom scene). Even in the 1950s anti-communist era movies you come by sensible russian spies or pretty russian girls, along with nasty Igors or Ivans. This racist element was perhaps florished in Oliver Stone's mind, to provoke the public interest and sympathy on a drug smuggler by trashing a relatively unknown nation, betting late 70s drug relaxed public would love it (I sometimes wonder how the public would react to this movie if it was released in Reagan's War on Drugs era). I give some credit to Alan Parker for the way he exploited all this to provoke public sentiment. However I do not understand how Oliver Stone got an Oscar for twisting a story to make it sell, in expense of a nation's defamation (then again who cares about that in Hollywood), and turning it into a weak plot and an even weaker ending. If you wanna read the True Story (as true as it can get I guess) go read Billy Hayes' book. If you want to watch the movie just keep these words by Joseph Goebbels (Hitler's Propoganda Minister) in mind: "The bigger the lie , the more they believe it"

This movie brings us into the terror that William Hayes experienced in a Turkish prison in the early seventies after attempting to smuggle hash from that country. I know after the book was published, it caused radical changes in the Turkish prison system and Turkey released many foreign nationals from incarceration. We cannot compare the Turkey of the early 1970's to the Turkey of today, which is a modern cosmopolitan environment.

I think the movie wouldn't have the same affect with a lesser actor than the enormously talented, under-appreciated and late Brad Davis as William Hayes. I found that he had a boy-like innocence, and I was compelled to feel very protective of him, despite his drug smuggling. He has some Oscar caliber performances, in particular one where he goes into a pathological rage and bites the tongue off of another inmate. I have never seen such monumental fury like that on film. Another scene that gripped me was his bitter statement before the Turkish court as he is being sentenced to 30 years. Through Brad Davis, you feel this young man’s hopes, fears, anguish, terror, and rage – the entire spectrum of emotion. You know an actor is powerful, when it only takes the look in his eyes to affect your senses. After this film came out, I was waiting for Davis to get bigger and better roles, why he didn't is baffling to me. John Hurt was actually nominated for an Oscar for this film, although he was very good, his performance could not touch that of Davis.

Alan Parker deserves much credit to for his direction. The scenes in this film range from beautiful with the glorious mosques of the Ottoman Empire against the Turkish sky in the opening scene, to dark and grey as pathos sets in on our main character. Oliver Stone has a screenplay which sets the tone. Many of the scenes are in Turkish with no subtitles, but although we don’t know what they are saying, we really do; that was done on purpose since the scene was meant to convey the moment. Giorgio Moroder produced a beautiful score that reflected the wide array of emotions in this film.

It is not an easy film to watch, some of the scenes are so violent and gruesome, many would turn away, but it is a harrowing story of a young man’s five year nightmare.

Even though it is a good movie it misleads the people by making false judgments about turkish people. Most of the parts of the Midnight Express weren't shot in Turkey and people as actors and actresses were Greek and Armenian whom are known to hate Turkish people.That's why I didn't like this movie much, because it's about political propaganda which is supported by Armenian and Greek lobbies. Even though it is claimed that this movie is based on a true story, it is not reflecting the real truth.

Barbarism, shmarbarism.

The opening 30 minutes of this film were quite possibly the hardest to watch as this doorknob makes one lame-brained move after another.

A: Smuggling a large amount drugs, through an AIRPORT, from a country through an with NO MIRANDA LAWS, in the middle of a period of EXTREME international tension from many sides. FREAKIN GENIUS!!!!

B: Running from the police after getting caught (you have no money Einstein, how far do you think you are going to get?)

C: going directly against what your told after getting incarcerated.

All I could think when he was dragged down and chained upside-down was "YES!! BEAT HIS STUPID A$$!!!"

Turkey is a wonderful place to visit for people that aren't stupid enough to get involved with narcotics. On that note, I think someone inclined to smuggle drugs through international airports will find a good many countries in many regions of the world (including the U.S.) very unaccomodating, possibly quite ugly.

Was a good story nonetheless. I could have done without the homoerotic shower scene

As a Turkish citizen I cannot help but be at least a little subjective about this movie but I'll try. First of all I thought the acting was great and Parker was also ok. However I do not agree with other reviewers about some of the statements made here. Some claim that the movie took place in a rather isolated environment-a turkish prison, and its depiction of turkish characters shall not be taken as an offense against turkish people. But it is usuallly very hard to make that kind of abstraction and consider the movie within the proper context. Most people unconsciously associate a stigma with both Turkey and her people after watching this movie for the first time.

That being said, I also have some personal doubts about the authenticity of the story itself. True, prison conditions in Turkey during the 70's were not perfect, they are still far from perfect. But As far as I am concerned the prison scenes in the film are quite exaggerated and over-dramatized, they are simply anachronistic. What's more, I fail to see how an American citizen during the cold war could be treated like that in one of its closest allies. Turkey's whole foreign policy was, and to a certain extent still is, built on good relations with the United States. Thus I do not think Turkey would really risk it by acting so irresponsibly.

I do understand the artistic and the commercial concern behind all the drastic exaggeration. The movie would not have been quite powerful or controversial otherwise. Yet I still think it is quite unfair and offensive to Turkey to portray it as such. After all most ignorant people tend to judge only by their impressions from the movie.

Based on the true story of would-be drug smuggler Willaim Hayes, screenwriter Oliver Stone goes way over the top here with courtroom theatrics, sensational violence, and an overt chauvanism towards Turks in this portrayal of the Turkish prison system as a kind of hell on earth. On the plus side: great locations (Instanbul and Malta), beautiful photography, and good acting, help create a sense of atmosphere.