Midnight Express

1978 121 min ★ 7.4 Drama, Crime

Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of Turkey. The Turkish courts decide to make an example of him, sentencing him to more than 30 years in prison. Hayes has two opportunities for release: the appeals made by his lawyer, his family, and the American government, or the "Midnight Express".

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Cast

Brad Davis

Billy Hayes

Irene Miracle

Susan

Bo Hopkins

Tex

Paolo Bonacelli

Rifki

Paul L. Smith

Hamidou

Randy Quaid

Jimmy Booth

Norbert Weisser

Erich

John Hurt

Max

Mike Kellin

Mr. Hayes

Franco Diogene

Yesil

Details

Director

Alan Parker

Screenplay

Oliver Stone

Tagline

"Walk into the incredible true experience of Billy Hayes. And bring all the courage you can."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Budget

$2,300,000

Revenue

$35,000,000

Production

Columbia Pictures, Casablanca Filmworks

Reviews

B

Bazzjazz

April 12, 2018

★ 10/10

Midnight Express is a harrowing story based on true events. Brad Davis delivers an outstanding performance with great supporting roles from John Hurt, Randy Quaid. It was an adapted Screenplay written by Oliver Stone which won him his first Oscar. Georgia Maroda (spelling)soundtrack is really riveting as the ‘chase’ scene unfolds. This is a movie that will stay with you for life. They sa...

C

CinemaSerf

June 21, 2025

★ 6/10

Hmmm. I’m not sure time has been so kind to this, and as we look on it now it comes across as a rather condescending and stereotypical judgement of a Turkish penal system that dared to deal harshly with a drug smuggler. That character “Billy” (Brad Davis) doesn’t make it through immigration as he tries to leave Istanbul with loads of hashish strapped to his torso whilst sweating nervously. Initial...