True story of prison escape
Midnight Express (R) is based on the true story of a young American, Billy Hayes, who was sentenced to 30 years in a Turkish prison for trying to smuggle 2kg of hashish through Istanbul airport. Newcomer, Brad Davies, gives an outstanding performance as Billy, who endures human degradation and immense brutality. Eventually he is thrust into “Section 13 for the criminally insane,” and it is there that he decides unless he can escape he will die. The script is based on Hayes’s book, which he co-wrote with William Hoffer. The title refers to the prison term for escape — “Catch the Midnight Express.” This film is another pinnacle in the career of the British film-maker Alan Parker. He directed notable television films such as “No Hard Feelings” and the award-winning “The Evacuees” before debuting in film with “Bugsy Malone,” a gangster musical played by children.
“Midnight Express,” released by R.C.A.-Colom-bia-Hoyts, is produced by Alan Marshall and David Puttnam and runs for 116 minutes.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 7 April 1987, Page 21
Word Count
167True story of prison escape Press, 7 April 1987, Page 21
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