Midnight Express Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

American tourist tries to spice up his vacation by becoming a walking hashish piñata, gets caught, and then learns that Turkish prisons are not exactly Club Med.

🍿 Midnight Express: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrest and Initial Imprisonment

In 1970, American college student Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. He’s arrested at Istanbul Airport and faces the Turkish legal system. Initially, Billy is offered a deal to identify his supplier, but his attempt to escape after providing information leads to harsher treatment. He is sentenced to four years and two months for drug possession and sent to a Turkish prison.

Life Inside Sagmalcilar Prison

The prison conditions are brutal, with violence, overcrowding, and corruption rampant. Billy befriends several fellow inmates, including Jimmy Booth, an American; Erich, a Swedish man; and Max, an English drug addict. He faces constant harassment from Hamidou, a sadistic prison guard, and navigates the treacherous prison environment. Billy’s father visits him, expressing his support and hiring a lawyer to appeal the sentence.

Escalating Despair and Failed Escape Attempts

As time passes, Billy’s hopes for an early release dwindle. His lawyer proves ineffective, and corruption within the Turkish legal system becomes apparent. He, Jimmy and Max plot an escape through the prison’s catacombs, but their attempt fails, leading to Jimmy’s severe beating and transfer. The situation worsens when Billy’s sentence is overturned and increased to a minimum of 30 years for smuggling.

Descent into Madness and Ultimate Escape

The increased sentence pushes Billy to the brink of despair. He and Max take revenge on Rifki, a prison snitch, leading to Billy’s transfer to the prison’s mental asylum. In a desperate act, Billy bribes Hamidou in an attempt to be moved to a less guarded part of the prison. During the exchange, a fight ensues, and Billy kills Hamidou. He then dons a guard’s uniform, walks out of the prison, and eventually makes his way to the Turkish border and freedom.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billy Hayes (Brad Davis): An American college student caught smuggling drugs in Turkey, facing a brutal prison sentence and desperate attempts to escape.
• Max (John Hurt): An English inmate and drug user, offering cynical advice and a plan for escape as a veteran of the Turkish prison system.
• Jimmy Booth (Randy Quaid): An American prisoner known for his hot temper and failed escape attempts, highlighting the desperate conditions within the prison.
• Hamidou (Paul L. Smith): The sadistic head guard who represents the oppressive and brutal Turkish prison system, becoming Billy’s primary tormentor.
• Susan (Irene Miracle): Billy’s girlfriend who visits him in prison, offering emotional and financial support during his incarceration.
• Rifki (Paolo Bonacelli): A treacherous prison trusty who informs on other inmates, creating further hardship and distrust within the prison walls.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Max: “The best thing to do is to get your ass out of here. Best way that you can.” – Max advises Billy that the only way to survive is to escape from prison.
• Max: “Catch the midnight express.” – Max explains the prison slang for escape, offering Billy a glimmer of hope.
• Billy Hayes: “For a nation of pigs, it sure seems funny that you don’t eat them!” – Billy shouts this insulting statement during his courtroom outburst after his sentence is increased.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.3M
• Domestic Gross: $35M
• Worldwide Gross: $35M

💥 Midnight Express Reviews

Personal Review

Midnight Express is a film that sticks with you long after the credits roll. I remember watching it for the first time and being absolutely horrified by the depiction of the prison. Brad Davis’s performance was so raw and intense, it really pulled me in, made me feel like I was right there with him. The scene where his sentence gets extended is gut-wrenching. This movie is a classic and highly recommended to those that enjoy crime dramas.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of prison dramas and true crime stories.”
  • “Viewers interested in films that explore themes of survival, injustice, and the human spirit.”
  • “Those who appreciate films with strong performances and intense atmosphere.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and depictions of torture.”
  • “Strong language and mature themes.”
  • “Implied sexual assault.”
  • “Xenophobic undertones and potentially offensive portrayals of a culture.”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A brutally effective and emotionally draining film. Brad Davis delivers a career-defining performance. The movie doesn’t flinch from the horrors of prison life, offering a visceral and unforgettable experience.
• Variety: “Alan Parker’s direction is intense and unflinching, capturing the claustrophobia and despair of the prison environment. The film is a powerful indictment of inhumane prison conditions. Giorgio Moroder’s score elevates the tension.
• The New York Times: “A disturbing and unforgettable film. Brad Davis’s performance is raw and compelling. The film raises important questions about justice and human rights. The story shows what happens when cultural misunderstandings lead to tragedy.

Audience Reactions

The film’s raw depiction of prison life is both captivating and disturbing.: Viewers appreciate the movie’s ability to create a truly harrowing and emotional experience.

Brad Davis’s intense acting brings emotional depth.: Spectators admire Davis’s outstanding performance, highlighting his ability to convey the character’s pain and desperation.

Overall Consensus: Midnight Express is a raw and emotionally charged film, praised for its intense performances and unflinching depiction of prison life, though criticized for its potential misrepresentation of Turkish culture.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 1979
2. Academy Award (Best Original Score)- 1979
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Drama)- 1979
4. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture Score)- 1979
5. Golden Globe Award (Best Screenplay)- 1979
6. BAFTA Award (Best Film)- 1979
7. BAFTA Award (Best Editing)- 1979
8. BAFTA Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 1979

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Much of the film was shot in Malta, not Turkey, due to the Turkish government’s disapproval of the script.”
• “Oliver Stone, who wrote the screenplay, later expressed regret for the film’s negative portrayal of Turkish people and admitted to exaggerating certain aspects of the story.”
• “Giorgio Moroder’s electronic score won an Academy Award and is considered groundbreaking for its use of synthesizers in a film soundtrack.”

🖥️ How to Watch Midnight Express?

Midnight Express is currently available to rent or purchase on several platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options and potential availability on services like Paramount+ or Hulu. You may also find DVD and Blu-ray copies available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Midnight Express, you might like these similar films:

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Both films depict the brutal realities of prison life and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
• Papillon (1973): Another harrowing tale of a man wrongly convicted and his desperate attempts to escape a brutal prison in a foreign land.
• Brubaker (1980): Showcases the fight against corruption and inhumane conditions within a prison system, highlighting the struggle for reform.
• A Prophet (2009): A modern crime drama focusing on a prisoner’s survival and rise within the prison hierarchy, displaying the harsh realities of incarceration.

🛒 Midnight Express Related Products

• Midnight Express [Blu-ray]: A high-definition version of the film, offering enhanced visual and audio quality for a better viewing experience. Collector’s edition including behind-the-scenes documentaries.
• Giorgio Moroder – Midnight Express (Original Soundtrack): Get the full Oscar-winning soundtrack by Giorgio Moroder, featuring iconic tracks like “Chase” and “Theme from Midnight Express.” Available for streaming or digital download.
• Midnight Express Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the film’s iconic poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or office. A reminder of the film’s impact and the story.
• The Midnight Express Story by Billy Hayes: Billy Hayes’ memoir is a frank, graphic and ultimately devastating story. A MUST READ – especially in conjunction with the Oliver Stone movie!.

🎧 Soundtrack

Midnight Express features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chase” – performed by Giorgio Moroder
• “Istanbul Blues” – performed by David Castle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Joe Rogan Reacts to Midnight Express

Do you want to know what someone who loves talking about movies thinks about Midnight Express? If so, then you have to check out this video where popular podcaster Joe Rogan gives his thoughts on it! You might agree with him, you might disagree, but you’re sure to have some thoughts on his opinion. Check it out!

Giorgio Moroder was confused when working with Daft Punk

What was it like for Giorgio Moroder to work with Daft Punk? If you’re interested in learning more about what went into making this awesome movie score, you’re going to want to watch this interview. Moroder shares his excitement and frustrations, and provides some great insight into the music industry.

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