An American Abroad: Review of Midnight Express

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!

Fire on Babylon: Review of Mississippi Burning

Classic from the Vault

Mississippi Burning (1988)

Director: Alan Parker

By Alex Watson

Many films have explored the effects of racist cultures and the fierce outcomes of narrow minded idealism. Pictures such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Cry Freedom and A Time to Kill, demonstrated this. But few have truly delved into the soul of what causes the problem, and what influenced people to take up these opinions? The human soul’s nature is un-predictable, and it can take us to incredibly dark places! One film brings these questions to light, is Alan Parker’s film Mississippi Burning. A film based around a real FBI investigation that occurred in 1964.

The story follows the investigation of two FBI agents; charismatic Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and straight laced Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe). The pair are investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers in Jessup County, Mississippi. From the moment they arrive, they are given a hostile reception from both the law officials and the townspeople.  As their investigation continues, tensions increase between the local Ku Klux Klan members and the town’s African American population, leading to many violent situations! Also the two agents are facing difficulties due to their vastly different approaches to solving the case. But it becomes clear to Ward and Anderson must work together to bring down the people involved!

Mississippi Burning’s tension is made apparent from the start, the opening shot displays a church being burned to the ground!  With the pulsating, electronic score by Trevor Jones, we feel the heat rising between the KKK and black population. The retaliations each time are more brutal than the last and this feeling of fear never relents. Through Alan Parker’s direction, we are brought into the heart of darkness- a world filled with cruelty and burning crosses. In Jessup County, they are threatened by the presence of outsiders. Because of this they stick to the old values bestowed upon them, and will even kill to keep their society decent. God has long since departed, and now there is no one to pray to!

The morality of what the town’s people are doing is always in question. The audience knows this isn’t an ordinary missing person’s case. The three men have been murdered in the opening moments of the film! This sequence is hidden from us as the opening credits roll, from behind them we hear the mocking laughter of people involved as the horrific deed is carried out. This moment, displays the inhumanity of man and how sinister the soul can be.

The narrative of Mississippi Burning is bolstered by the teaming of the two agents. From the very start they are problems between them. Ward is naive and inexperienced in the field, and therefore is accustomed to procedure. Anderson however, is a former Sheriff from a town in Mississippi. As knows the ways of the old country, he realizes these murderers cannot be broken by rules. Their investigation is faulted by Ward’s liberal approach, people are afraid to talk and when they do, the consequences are severe! It’s only when Anderson’s more ruthless methods take over that investigation makes progress. Although they are not much different from the Klan’s! Anderson and Ward are in some ways, the odd couple. The two carry a completely different set of ideals and appear to be mismatched. But in the end, they are able to put that aside to work together. Because of this, we root for them to bring this circle of hate to justice.

The performances of Mississippi Burning are superb; Gene Hackman is both charming and cold-blooded as Rupert Anderson. As a veteran of the old ways, he knows his way around. When his charms don’t work on the townspeople he turns to his other specialty- intimidation. Hackman holds the screen and gives the film its human feel. Willem Dafoe is also gives a good performance as career driven Alan Ward. The man is shown to be out of his depth and is continually perplexed as to where the hatred comes from.  Because of this he is the moral voice of the film.

This film is up there with the very best civil rights dramas, it has a moral story and give us two solid central figures. We can feel the hate escalating throughout the film, and the dilemma of the agents face trying to fight the flames! Alan Parker gives us a godless society where immorality is all around. And through this we see the horrors that follow the KKK’s rule. This film is highly recommended and it is one of the most claustrophobic viewings you will experience!