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... more
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Midnight Express [1978]
Forever embroiled in controversy, Midnight Express divides viewers into opposing camps:
... more
those who think it's one of the most intense real-life dramas ever made, and those who abhor 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 2kg of hashish while attempting to board a flight from Istanbul 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, Amazon.com
Midnight Express [1978]
Forever embroiled in controversy,Midnight Expressdivides viewers into opposing camps:
... more
those who think it's one of the most intense real-life dramas ever made, and those who abhor 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 2kg of hashish while attempting to board a flight from Istanbul 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 thatMidnight Expressis 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, Amazon.com
Drama - Director: Sylvester Stallone, Jonathan Demme, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Peter Weir, Roland Emmerich, Brett Ratner - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over
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Drama - Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Atom Egoyan, Damien Hirst, Neil Jordan, Conor McPherson, David Mamet, Anthony Minghella - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt
Actor(s): Brad Davis, Randy Quaid, John Hurt, Bo Hopkins
Director(s): Alan Parker
Genre: Drama
Classification: 18 years and over
Production Year: 1978
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United States of America
Plot: 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.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Languages
Main Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Commentary with director Alan Parker, Photo gallery, Featurettes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
DVD Description
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.
Advantages: seeing a quality film Disadvantages: never going swimming in the sea again
...Despite this film being made 25 years ago, Steven Spielbergs triple Oscar winning classic is still scarey enough to keep most of us out of the water for life.
Jaws is a story from the best selling book by Peter Benchley of a rogue Great White Shark terrorising a small island town called Aminty, having holidaymakers for breakfast, dinner and supper.
This film gets its teeth stuck in right from the opening midnight swim sequence with the naked girl, The unforgetable music score by the brilliant John Williams makes it even more tense, you know the shark is near and guarrentee'd something horrible is going to happen every time you hear it.
But its when the film turns in to a horrifying version of "three men in a boat" after about 35 minutes that JAWS really grips you.
Old sea dog Quint (Robert Shaw), the towns police chief Brody (Roy...
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Advantages: This re issue has outstanding extra features Disadvantages: You probably own the 25th Aniversary Edition
...as second time director never puts a foot wrong in a film that plays out like a string of classic movie moments....the head in the boat, the first attack at night, Alex Kitner gets eaten in broad daylight, the head in the boat, the Indianapolis speech and that final 'Explosive' showdown between Brody and the shark.
Jaws was the first film ever to make $100 Million at the box office, it was the first ever summer event movie. If you ever go to see those summer blockbuster movies like Spiderman, Men In Black, Independance Day........they all owe a debt to Jaws as the may never have been made without this film.
Now you probably may already have this movie in the form of the 25th AnniversaryEdition so why fork out again for the 30th?
Well for starters the film has been remastered for optimal sound and vision, it looks and sounds even better than...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 09.02.2006
Compare Midnight Express (Anniversary Edition) to other similar Drama
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