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1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 If you don't want to do the time don't do the crime Nov 20, 2009
I first saw this movie not long after it's release in 1978 when I was 17 years old. Even back then I could not figure out why this guy tried to pull off this stunt in a foreign country? Or even in the USA?
It is an entertaining albeit violent piece of entertainment and the musical score is top notch.
But I have re watched this movie several times since and now in my late 40's still can't figure out what motivated this guy into thinking he should have got off scot free or even a reduced sentence for obviously & blatantly committing a crime in a foreign country no less. It's noteworthy that the real Billy Hayes was disappointed with this movie as it contains a number of errors from his side of the story & even Oliver Stone later apologized to the Turks for the not so subtle racist and anti Muslim twists this film takes.
It is a well done film but I have a difficult time feeling sympathy for the main character. Instead I see the film's version of Hayes as just another spoiled American brat expecting to find leniency for breaking the law.
1 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 BR Review Jul 31, 2009
I am really disappointed by the poor transfer of this BR release. There is no need to buy the BR version if you have the DVD.
8 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Blu-ray: Featuring a powerful performance by Brad Davis and John Hurt and overall, a wonderful High Definition Blu-ray transfer. Jul 21, 2009
It's about never giving up hope.
The 1978 film "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" was a film that was known for its controversial story but also seen as a film masterpiece as it was the first major film to depict foreigners inhumane treatment in prison and it was brought alive due to the awesome performance by actor Brad Davis ("Chariots of Fire", "Roots") and a film directed by Alan Parker ("Bugsy Malone", "Pink Floyd the Wall", "Fame", "Evita" and "Angela's Ashes") and a screenplay by Oliver Stone ("Platoon", "JFK", "Natural Born Killers", "The Doors" and "Alexander"). The film would also feature the talents of composer Giorgio Moroder ("Flashdance", "Scarface" and "Over the Top") and cinematography by Michael Seresin ("Fame", "Angela's Ashes", "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Step Up").
"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" would be nominated for seven Academy Awards and won an Academy Award for "Best Music", "Original Score", "Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium".
But what caught attention was that the film was based on a true story of Billy Hayes who was convicted for smuggling hash and sentenced to four years in a Turk prison where he and many people were tortured. To make matters worse, he became a scapegoat to prevent foreigners from even thinking of smuggling drugs in the country by having his sentenced overturned and giving him a life sentence.
Hayes book "Midnight Express" details his life behind bars and the inhumane treatment that he and others received in prison and eventually how he escaped from the prison. The film adaption had gone through so many hands through its screenplay adaption and studio pressure that in order to make it a commercial film and due to budget constraints and location challenges, there is a difference between the book and the actual film.
But despite the controversy (which Oliver Stone and even the real Billy Hayes have regretted the film's depiction of the Turks), the film was well-known for its powerful performances and its powerful storyline. It's a gritty film that shows the violence behind Hayes experiences at the prison and torture they received. Including other things that were deemed quite controversial back in the late 70's.
It is important to note that this film is featured in Digibook format (a book format and not the standard blue blu-ray case) as it contains a 42-page booklet with Director Alan Parker writing a personal memoir titled "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" is included.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" received its 30th Anniversary treatment back in 2008 and in 2009, gets its High Definition treatment as the film is presented in 1080p High Definition (aspect ratio of 1:85:1).
The film looks incredible on Blu-ray and also compared to its DVD counterpart, the film really shows off the detail and grittiness of the prison and also how bad the conditions were (note: this is one of the controversies as the actual prison was supposedly created in the 1960's but the film makes the prison look like the prison was created many decades before). But the picture quality captures the grittiness of the prisoners and the overall look, is not exactly vibrant but quite detailed.
The film looks as if there was little DNR (digital noise reduction) was used and overall, you can see grain on the film. Overall, this is a superb transfer to Blu-ray and another classic film given awesome treatment from Sony.
As for the audio, the film is presented in English, French and Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1. (Also in Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and the original English mono soundtrack). For the most part, the film is front channel heavy as it is dialog-driven. Although there are action sequences, they are very few and if anything comes alive is the music by Giorgio Moroder.
Overall, its great to see the film receive a lossless soundtrack and also include the original mono soundtrack as well. But you are able to hear the screams of the prisoners while being tortured and overall, the pain and anguish from the talents who just are trying to keep sane in the prison.
As for subtitles, subtitles are in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" comes with several special features featured in High Definition and Standard Definition in English (Stereo) and Portuguese and Spanish subtitles. The Blu-ray is BD-Live enabled.
* "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" by Director Alan Parker - As mentioned, the release is featured in digibook format and includes a 42-page booklet/personal memoir titled "Anatomy of a Film: The Making of Midnight Express" by Director Alan Parker. This book is quite thorough in the challenges the film had and also, how Brad Davis was a method actor and in essence became Billy Hayes. Also, how warden Hamidou (Paul L. Smith) was also a bit rough on the actors during the torture scenes to the dismay of the actors who were to pretend as if they were being beaten (and too get that realism, Smith didn't hold back). Also, how John Hurt (who played Max) didn't shower for six weeks in order to make his scene seem real and natural. The personal memoir is quite detailed and those who enjoyed the film will enjoy reading this book filled with photos and storyboard sketches.
* Commentary with Director Alan Parker - If you thought the booklet was full of detail, Director Alan Parker really goes into detail of each scene and what transpired behind-the-scenes of the making of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS".
* The Making of Midnight Express (7:27) The original 1978 featurette with an interview with the real Billy Hayes.
* The Producers - (25:54) Peter Guber (Executive Producer), Producer David Puttnam and Director Alan Parker discuss the challenge of making the film and the changes that had to be made for the film.
* The Production - (24:27) Interviews with Director Alan Parker, Producer Alan Marshall and Billy Hayes. Continuing discussion of the challenges of making the film, which included the studio execs not thrilled of the producers selecting Brad Davis (Richard Gere pulled out of the film) and tried to say he was cross-eyed and thus the producers having to get a medical note that he wasn't cross-eyed and challenges of finding the location and the differences that went into making the film from the original screenplay.
* The Finished Film - (23:49) Discussion of how hardcore of a method actor Brad Davis was and how far Alan Parker pushed him to achieve that powerful performance of Billy Hayes. Also, discussing how the film is based on a true story but is not the true story. And how there are key differences between the film and the book. Featuring interviews with Director Alan Parker and Oliver Stone.
* Photo Gallery - (12:35) A photo gallery which is accompanied by music from the film.
JUDGMENT CALL:
"MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is a powerful film about survival and despite how far low one can be in a situation, the human will to live and survive can lead to amazing wonders. As it has had in the real life situation for Billy Hayes who had one of the most impressive prison escapes.
If there was any negative of the film, it's that the real story of Billy Hayes and his life in prison has been changed for the film adaption. In fact, Billy Hayes has commented in regards to the film that he wished there were more positive portrayals of the Turks and even Oliver Stone has come out and talked about their wish that the film had shown a positive life on some Turks and that not all Turks are bad.
But also, the actual escape of Billy Hayes differs greatly from the film adaption. But considering that there was another planned final for the film that would have been a bit unbelievable, I was content with how the film ended.
The film is ultimately a powerful film and the acting is top notch and Brad Davis just shined in this film. He was incredible playing the part of Billy Hayes and it was a role that consumed him even when near the end of the filming of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS". But his performance made "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" so believable in that despite what he did to receive prison time, we sympathize with him when he is tortured and is told that his four year sentence has been overturned and he would be getting a life sentence.
It was indeed a powerful performance and a powerful film experience that is so visually disturbing and that Director Alan Parker and crew were able to capture the anguish, the anger, the pain and grittiness of the film was amazing.
Overall, "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is an amazing film and worthy of having in your collection. But I can understand if the film may be a bit much for some to watch it for a second time or more.
But for those who did enjoy the film, this Blu-ray release of "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS" is the definitive version to own!
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
"The Best Prison Drama Ever!" Jun 02, 2009
"Midnight Express" was nominated for 7 Academy Awards in 1978, winning for Best Music, Best Original Score, and Best Writing for Material Adapted From Another Medium for Oliver Stone. Brad Davis stars as Billy Hayes in this true story of a young man who is arrested in Instanbul, Turkey for trying to smuggle hashish out of the country. What follows are five harrowing, hellish years for Billy as he tries to survive living in a foreign prison, in a country he knows little about, and with people who seem at times unhuman. Billy ultimately has a nervous breakdown and he is sentenced to time in the psychiatric unit of the prison.
In the late 1990's both Oliver Stone and Billy Hayes stated they were sorry for the film's depiction of Turkish people, as not a single Turk was dramaitized as compassionate. The film has gone on to be hated by the people of Turkey for it's narrow-minded view on a foreign country and its people. Nevertheless, "Midnight Express" is an excellent film, one you will watch time and time again for its graphic depiction of prison life and the attempts of those who are imprisoned in trying to survive. "Midnight Express" is prison slang for inmates who want to attempt escaping, thus that is where the title is derived from.
The movie has an excellent cast including Bo Hopkins, Randy Quaid, and John Hurt. Brad Davis is mesmerizing as the young Billy and he should have received an Oscar nod for Best Actor but was overlooked. Maureen McCormick from TV's "The Brady Bunch" was considered for the small part of Billy's girlfriend, but the role was cast with another actress.
This new anniversary edition of "Midnight Express" includes the film in widescreen format, which is beautifully restored, a director's commentary by Alan Parker, photo gallery, and a producer's featurette. Brad Davis' widow has written a fascinating book on Brad called "After Midnight" which features some great information on the movie. This book came out after Brad died of assisted suicide in 1991. Brad Davis was diagnosed with AIDS.
If you enjoy this movie three other prison films are worth watching: "Ecsape from Alcatraz", "The Shawshank Redemption", and "The Green Mile" are near the caliber of "Midnight Express".
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Man's fight for survival May 07, 2009
A young american man in on vacation in Istanbul, Turkey. He has idea to smuggle 4 kilos of hashish and sell it to his friends in US. Before even boarding the plane, he is caught smuggling drugs and taken to Turkish prison. It all goes downhill from there.
One month before completing his 4 year prison sentence, he is called into a court where it is announced by a judge that his sentence is extended to life in prison. Without anything to loose, he creates bond with other westerners in prison in attempt to escape. Depictions of torture, humiliation, emotional infliction of pain are so breathtaking that main character's descent into a rage is a natural progression of the conditions he is forced to live in.
It has been almost 30 years since this movie was originally released. I have seen it before, but as I grow older, film becomes more powerful. Events are based on a true story. It is remarkable story about man's instinct, desire to live and survive at any price.
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