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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Product Description
Brad Davis, Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Bo HopkinsDirectors: Alan Parker
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
really enjoyed this film. didnt know much about it so didnt know what to expect but i was griped. found it brutal, honest and harsh. a very well made true story. well worth the money and a classic the you will want to watch again at some point, not like many i could name in my vast collection. you would also never think it was made in the 70's, it was deffinatly ahead of its time.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
My recollection of this film from seeing it on first release in uk was a little
remote a few years(33) have passed but this film stands the time well, not just great location atmospheric shots but mainly it was how powerfull the cast were in the portrayal of this story. Not for the squemish, fashion changes but a quality performance all round.
remote a few years(33) have passed but this film stands the time well, not just great location atmospheric shots but mainly it was how powerfull the cast were in the portrayal of this story. Not for the squemish, fashion changes but a quality performance all round.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Midnight Express is directed by Alan Parker and adapted to screenplay by Oliver Stone. It is loosely based on Billy Hayes' book of the same name. It tells of American Hayes' (Brad Davis) arrest and subsequent conviction for trying to smuggle hashish out of Istanbul, Turkey, for which he was sent to a hellish Turkish prison to serve his time. It also stars Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Paul L. Smith and Irene Miracle. Music is scored by Giorgio Moroder and cinematography is by Michael Seresin.
Although controversy followed it due to its portrayals of the Turkish people, Midnight Express is today still a raw and uncompromising experience. In fact if we strip away Moroder's Oscar winning electro bubbling score, the film holds up as a fresh and pertinent piece of film making. Parker doesn't cut corners or attempt any sort of Hollywood gloss, he keeps it grimy, oppressive and harsh in its telling, whilst the handheld camera work keeps things jittery, harmonising with Billy Hayes and his fellow cons' state of mind. The narrative unfurls from Billy's POV, and it's mostly in a downwards direction, with that it's hard to call the picture essential entertainment, we are after all observant to mental and physical abuse, with the disintegration of the human spirit front and centre. Billy's alienation is deftly crafted by Parker, where the non use of subtitles for the Turkish characters helps us to feel as isolated as Billy was. However, there's the odd glimmer of hope and humanity, courtesy of Billy's interactions within the few friendships he forms, and of course there's the overriding urge to see him escape his hell.
Stone won the Academy Award for his screenplay, and even though it has been frowned upon for some of the perceived bile unleashed on the Turks, it mostly excels on a human's under duress basis. The interactions between prisoners is often solemn and edgy, due to the characters being from different walks of life, while much of Hayes' outpourings of emotion have conviction by way of the words; even if one particular "speech" is ill advised and over the top. Cast are excellent, where Davis calls on the sadness in his real life upbringing to give a performance of real intensity, while Hurt and Quaid are beaten down by drug fuelled resignation and tempestuousness respectively. It has flaws, and the over dramatising of certain events tends to deviate from a real story that hardly needed extra oomph, but always Midnight Express remains a harrowing and potent piece of cinema. 8/10
The Blu-ray transfer offers better audio but the picture quality is marginally better than a DVD version upscaled on a HD TV.
Although controversy followed it due to its portrayals of the Turkish people, Midnight Express is today still a raw and uncompromising experience. In fact if we strip away Moroder's Oscar winning electro bubbling score, the film holds up as a fresh and pertinent piece of film making. Parker doesn't cut corners or attempt any sort of Hollywood gloss, he keeps it grimy, oppressive and harsh in its telling, whilst the handheld camera work keeps things jittery, harmonising with Billy Hayes and his fellow cons' state of mind. The narrative unfurls from Billy's POV, and it's mostly in a downwards direction, with that it's hard to call the picture essential entertainment, we are after all observant to mental and physical abuse, with the disintegration of the human spirit front and centre. Billy's alienation is deftly crafted by Parker, where the non use of subtitles for the Turkish characters helps us to feel as isolated as Billy was. However, there's the odd glimmer of hope and humanity, courtesy of Billy's interactions within the few friendships he forms, and of course there's the overriding urge to see him escape his hell.
Stone won the Academy Award for his screenplay, and even though it has been frowned upon for some of the perceived bile unleashed on the Turks, it mostly excels on a human's under duress basis. The interactions between prisoners is often solemn and edgy, due to the characters being from different walks of life, while much of Hayes' outpourings of emotion have conviction by way of the words; even if one particular "speech" is ill advised and over the top. Cast are excellent, where Davis calls on the sadness in his real life upbringing to give a performance of real intensity, while Hurt and Quaid are beaten down by drug fuelled resignation and tempestuousness respectively. It has flaws, and the over dramatising of certain events tends to deviate from a real story that hardly needed extra oomph, but always Midnight Express remains a harrowing and potent piece of cinema. 8/10
The Blu-ray transfer offers better audio but the picture quality is marginally better than a DVD version upscaled on a HD TV.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Powerful and memorable movie but below average BD transfer
Midnight Express tells (with a few liberties and exaggerations) the horrific tale of Billy Hayes, condemned to four years in a hell-hole of a Turkish gaol for attempting to smuggle... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Cartimand
great all timer
this is one of the all time greats and ranks along side papillon.billy is caught smuggling drugs out of turkey and sent to a turkish prison this movie deals with his life there. Read more
Published 3 months ago by jed
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS
VERY GOOD FILM AND WORTH THE BUY PITURE QUALITY NOT TOO BAD NOT FANTASTIC BUT BETTER THAN DVD SO IF YOU LIKE THE FILM THEN BUY IT I WOULD SAY :)
Published 4 months ago by Ant
Excellent movie and blu ray
First off, the movie is a classic. Great movie, acting etc.
The Blu Ray too has a great audio commentary which Alan Parker the director goes into great detail on the... Read more
The Blu Ray too has a great audio commentary which Alan Parker the director goes into great detail on the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Terence Tan Co
Still powerfull !
Despite being 30 years old this film has lost none of its impact, powerful, moving and still very relevant. Well worth revisiting or viewing for the first time.
Published 7 months ago by David J. Marshall
favourite film
I watched this film about 20 times 30 years ago and cannot beleive it is so long ago. Still my favourite film of all time. Great acting from John Hurt and Brad Davies. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Deka's
DVD
Brilliant film updated old DvD to Blue ray, Must watch film and its a true story. Makes you think twice hopefully when you watch it. Surely Drugs are not worth this think on......
Published 8 months ago by Ali
my film
This film was terrific as was the service, what is there to say.
Why must I write twenty words
to convey this
Why must I write twenty words
to convey this
Published 9 months ago by shirley newell
very fast super servive , i have orderd many dvd cd ext , never had a...
as i said b4 many thanks will buy again with you , such a fast good service as i am aware i have never had a faster service , thanks you so much , and all so very good film , once... Read more
Published 12 months ago by big big eagles fan
Meat eaters only
This is strong stuff & not for the timid.
A tough mans film but well done of it`s type.
A tough mans film but well done of it`s type.
Published 18 months ago by Bombalone
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