Midnight Express
American Billy Hayes (Brad Davis), an American, is arrested while aboard an international flight from Istanbul Airport. He was trying to bring two kilos worth of hashish out to the country. The drugs were strapped to his back. If he helps the authorities to identify the seller of the hashish, he’ll be freed. After that help, Billy makes a run for his life and is captured. Although he is sentenced for possession of marijuana, he will not be allowed to smuggle. Inhospitable conditions prevail in the prison. A sadistic guard, Hamidou (Paul L. Smith), rules the prison and enjoys inflicting mental and physical torture on prisoners. Billy is told to trust no one and he does make friends with a couple of other prisoners, including a fellow American named Jimmy Booth (Randy Quaid), who was indicted for stealing two candles from a mosque), an American named Erich (Norbert Weiner), and an Englishman called Max (Sir John Hurt), both of whom are also being held for having smoked hashish. Rifki (Paolo Bonacelli), a prisoner who is the official eyes and ears of the guards, has not been befriended. While Billy and his family attempt to reach diplomatic and legal channels to get him released, Max informs them that they must “catch the midnight train” (escape) which is exactly what Jimmy has been trying to do. As his situation changes, Billy becomes increasingly desperate. Billy is faced with two choices: either to allow the prison to figuratively and then actually kill him or to regain control over his life using whatever methods are available. –Huggo
Director: Alan Parker
Actors: Bo Hopkins, Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Norbert Weisser, Paolo Bonacelli, Paul L. Smith, Randy Quaid
Country: United Kingdom, United States
