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Midnight Express

Play trailer Poster for Midnight Express R 1978 2h 1m Drama Biography Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Billy Hayes is a young American caught by Turkish police while attempting to smuggle hash out of Istanbul. He's tried and sent to prison for four years, where he endures all manner of privation and abuse. As he finishes up his time, he's shocked to learn that the Turkish High Court has added another 30 years to his sentence. He is now thoroughly demoralized, and his life in prison grows increasingly unbearable until he concludes that escape is his only option.

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Midnight Express

Midnight Express

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Critics Consensus

Raw and unrelenting, Midnight Express is riveting in its realistic depiction of incarceration -- mining pathos from the simple act of enduring hardship.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/18/2023
Midnight Express is single-minded in its brutal manipulation of the audience: this is a clear-cut case of the use of film technique split off from any artistic impulse. Go to Full Review Jay Scott Globe and Mail 08/11/2022
Just another prison break movie... but I liked it. Go to Full Review Ed Potton The Times (UK) 06/22/2018
4/5
It's a film that probably wouldn't be made today, but it taps into a potent fear: losing your liberty far from home. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jul 6
3.5/4
An emotionally gripping drama. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/09/2023
6/10
Its strict adherence to facts isn’t necessarily as potent as the cinematic cautionary tale that it generates, though the depicted events will surely inspire further research into Hayes’ genuine plight. Go to Full Review Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media 03/03/2021
2/5
Brutal, dated prison drama has drugs, language, stereotypes. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Apr 9 Apparently this movie had some controversy. That aside this movie is a reminder that in other countries the laws are much different and that the prison sentences are even worse. When Billy is caught trying to smuggle drugs into America he is giving a lengthy sentence. The best character in the movie is Jimmy played by Randy Quaid. I really wish he had more screen time. Tim Treakle See more Cinzia C @RT96508344 Mar 28 I was mesmerized when I first watched this film in VHS almost 20 years ago. Is it racist towards Turkish people and its portrayal of the country is biased and charicaturized for dramatic purposes? Absolutely, yes. I think I lost a Turkish friendship over this but I can't change my mind, this film is an absolute masterpiece and not only "another prison break movie": this is THE prison break movie. See more Stoner J @Stoner Feb 21 By far the best movie about doing time and prison break in a third world country. Outstanding writing, directing and acting See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Feb 20 Based on a true story. Very entertaining and harrowing take of being caught muling drugs in a foreign country and the consequences. Davis gives an incredible performance and the soundtrack is amazing. Turkish people claim it's a racist film, but it's not about Turkey, it's about a Turkish prison. See more Russ G @RT78760655 Dec 9 A very effective film; so effective that you won't want to view it a second time! See more Don V @bondo150 Nov 29 It defined the hell of a Turkish prison whil portraying the humanity needed to survive such a terrible place See more Read all reviews
Midnight Express

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Parker

Director

Brad Davis

Billy Hayes

Randy Quaid

Jimmy Booth

John Hurt

Max

Bo Hopkins

Tex

Paul L. Smith

Hamidou

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Midnight Express

Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) Midnight Express (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Billy Hayes is a young American caught by Turkish police while attempting to smuggle hash out of Istanbul. He's tried and sent to prison for four years, where he endures all manner of privation and abuse. As he finishes up his time, he's shocked to learn that the Turkish High Court has added another 30 years to his sentence. He is now thoroughly demoralized, and his life in prison grows increasingly unbearable until he concludes that escape is his only option.
Director
Alan Parker
Producer
Alan Marshall, David Puttnam
Screenwriter
William Hayes, William Hoffer, Oliver Stone
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Biography, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 1, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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