Classic from the Vault
Midnight Express (1978)
Director: Alan Parker
By Alex Watson
Prison movies as a general rule are never pretty viewing but then again they are never meant to be. Even classic’s such as The Shawshank Redemption showed the grim realities of life on the inside as well as the problems that occur for prisoners when released, where as movies such as A Prophet, Papillion and American History X focus on the horrific violence and corruption that nests within the walls. But few have been as claustrophobic as Alan Parker’s, Midnight Express which told the true story of Billy Hayes’ prison sentence in Turkey and brought some of the most memorable and uncomfortable images of years gone by.
American Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) is attempting to smuggle several bars of hashish out of Istanbul, Turkey when he is caught by the authorities at the airport and is thrown into Sağmalcılar prison. Sentenced to life imprisonment he bonds with fellow western inmates Jimmy (Randy Quaid) and Max (John Hurt) but his sentence soon becomes a living hell with violence and torture a regular feature. Billy soon realizes his only hope is to catch the ‘Midnight Express’ (prison code for escape).
Midnight Express is truly a classic of the prison film genre but it doesn’t make for easy watching and will require a strong stomach throughout. The film caused outrage in Turkey upon release and severely affected tourism for some years after its graphic depiction of the ill treatment given to Hayes and co by sadistic guard Hamidou (Paul Smith). But Parker doesn’t strive to make the population an enemy and rather than going for typical racist stereotypes he instead gives a realistic depiction of prison life and the hardship faced.
Oliver Stone’s Oscar winning script contributes to the engaging and tense story line and Billy’s journey is one hell of a ride as he sees the problems faced by Westerners in 1970’s Turkey as his faith in the legal system turns on his head midway through when his early release is cruelly denied! After his hopes are tarnished he turns to trying to escape and this where the real tension creeps in and as his optimism crumbles, so does Billy mental state. But it provides an uplifting yet heart stopping finale and aided by Giorgio Moroder’s pulsating electronic score it ends the film of a high note.
The images in Midnight Express are at times hard to swallow such as a gruesome scene where Billy in a moment of madness bites out the tongue of a fellow inmate, but it’s the moments that go un-seen which are by far the worst to imagine as we hear Max’s cat killed off screen and see Billy about to be raped by Hamidou at the films early stage. But as difficult as they are, these images ensure the film stays in our minds long after the finale credits have rolled.
The late Brad Davis (who died of AIDS in 1991) gives a heartbreaking and real performance as Billy and through the film we are drawn to his struggle and have the upmost sympathy for his plight. Davis’ career never quite matched the heights of this performance and it is tragic that he was so little seen after his terrific performance here. Randy Quaid also does well as cocky American inmate Jimmy whose repeated escape attempts make him a target for the guard. But its John Hurt who proves the memorable as heroin addicted prisoner Max, a man who has a spent perhaps too long behind bars and whose mind seems to be deteriorating and through Hurt’s quiet brilliance, he more than matches Davis.
Alan Parker is one of the under-rated director’s of years gone by and was deservedly awarded the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s ceremony. Midnight Express is a prime example of the movies he has been capable of making and his able to bring suspense on screen that is rarely matched. For a movie that will truly stick your mind for a variety of reason then this is recommend. Also it will teach you a valuable lesson on avoiding prison abroad!
Closer to the Edge 