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Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978]
 
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Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978]

DVD ~ Brad Davis
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £12.99
Price: £4.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Customers buy this item with Papillon [DVD] [1974] DVD ~ Steve McQueen

Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978] + Papillon [DVD] [1974]
  • This item: Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978] DVD ~ Brad Davis

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    This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

  • Papillon [DVD] [1974] DVD ~ Steve McQueen

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978]
94% buy the item featured on this page:
Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978] 4.9 out of 5 stars (7)
£4.98
Midnight Express [DVD] [1978]
3% buy
Midnight Express [DVD] [1978] 4.6 out of 5 stars (16)
Bangkok Hilton [1990] [DVD]
1% buy
Bangkok Hilton [1990] [DVD] 4.3 out of 5 stars (17)
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Midnight Express [Blu-ray] [1978]
1% buy
Midnight Express [Blu-ray] [1978]
£13.68

Product details

  • Actors: Brad Davis, Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Bo Hopkins
  • Directors: Alan Parker
  • Format: PAL
  • Subtitles: English, Arabic, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hindi, Italian, Norwegian, Slovakian, Slovene, Swedish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 4 Feb 2008
  • Run Time: 116 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000ZK9SUS
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 6,870 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Forever embroiled in controversy, Midnight Express divides viewers into opposing camps: those who think it's one of the most intense real-life dramas ever made, and those who loathe its manipulative tactics and alteration of facts for the exploitative purpose of achieving a desired effect. That effect is powerfully achieved, regardless of how you may feel about director Alan Parker and Oscar®-winning screenwriter Oliver Stone's interpretation of the story of Billy Hayes. It was the American Hayes--played by the late Brad Davis in an unforgettable performance--who was caught smuggling two kilograms of hashish while attempting to board a flight from Istanbul, Turkey, in 1970. He was sentenced to four years in a hellish Turkish prison on a drug possession charge, but his sentence was later extended (though not by 30 years, as the film suggests), and Hayes endured unthinkable brutality and torture before his escape in 1975.

Unquestionably, this is a superbly crafted film, provoking a visceral response that's powerful enough to boil your blood. By the time Hayes erupts in an explosion of self-defensive violence, Parker and Stone have proven the power--and danger--of their skill. Their film is deeply manipulative, extremely xenophobic, and embellishes reality to heighten its calculated impact. Is that a crime? Not necessarily, and there's no doubt that Midnight Express is expertly directed and blessed with exceptional supporting performances (especially from John Hurt as a long-term prisoner). Still, it's obvious that strings are being pulled, and Parker, while applying his talent to a nefarious purpose, is a masterful puppeteer. --Jeff Shannon



Synopsis

Midnight Express tells the harrowing story of a young American tourist arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison by Turkish authorities for trying to smuggle two kilos of hashish out of the country. Billy (Brad Davis), suffering through the harsh realities of the Turkish penal system, sees a glimmer of hope when his father (Billy Kellin) arrives from the States with the intention of securing his son's release. But when that effort fails and the prison's savage environment becomes too much to bear, Billy opts for the only possible solution: breaking out of jail and riding the midnight express--prison slang for escape--to freedom.
Director Alan Parker (Mississippi Burning), aided by Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning script, fastens an unflinching gaze into the darkest recesses of physical and emotional cruelty. Supporting cast members Randy Quaid, John Hurt, and Bo Hopkins give stellar performances, and Giorgio Moroder supplies a jagged yet entrancing soundtrack for a film that is at one and the same time a Kafkaesque nightmare, a riveting expose, and a testament to the dogged human thirst for dignity.


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7 Reviews
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4 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great classic, 17 Jun 2009
By Paul B (Paris, France) - See all my reviews
There are always a few films that stick in my my mind after having seen them for the first time in the cinema at the time of the initial release. "Midnight Express" is one of them, so it was without hesitation that I acquired this 30th anniversary edition. I wasn't disappointed. The screenplay still delivers a decisive kick in the gut and I'm still enthralled by John Hurt's masterful performance. The additional features are a welcome bonus, especially the director's commentary. This is a great classic for your video collection. All that's missing now is a remastered HD version.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good version , 6 Mar 2009
By Mr. Alan East "TWB" (Kent, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Good picture and sound quality.
A big improvement over the original 25th Anniversary issue.Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] [1978]
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Midnight Express/Excellent, 5 Jan 2009
This is a film that I hadn't seen for many years and I thoroughly enjoyed its grittiness and location scenes. It is about a young American,Billy Hayes played by (Brad Davis) who is caught trying to smuggle drugs out of Turkey, and the insuing nightmare of the legal system he is then caught up in. Very brutal in parts and moving in others the actors give it their all.The film does look dated but is well worth a look at.The scenes in the asylum are thought provoking. If you enjoyed One Flew Over the cuckoo's Nest then I recomend this film to you.Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) [1978] Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A fortunate chap
A good movie if you like real time prison stories. This guy was a lucky punter to get out alive- how many haven't ? Compelling viewing with a happy ending- just about.
Published 1 month ago by S. Kennedy

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all time favourites ....
A very intense roller coaster ride of emotions makes the audience challenge some of our fundamental beliefs as to what is right and what is wrong and with a superb music score /... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. C. D. Ryall

5.0 out of 5 stars phenomenal
This film moves me just as much today as it did when I first saw it 30 years ago. I loved being able to also view the director's comments this time around.
Published 7 months ago by Bemis K. Elizabeth

4.0 out of 5 stars James Dean
Brad Davies picked up a minor award for this 1978 movie based on a true story of Billy Hayes (see Youtube). Read more
Published 13 months ago by Brendan O. Clarke

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