Review of Midnight Express (1978) by Charles T — 05 Nov 2012
A powerful, harrowing and unforgettable true-life story, with terrific performances. Everything about the production itself (direction, sets, camera work) is top-notch. Where it falters is in the unnecessary alteration of real-life events and, most importantly, the misrepresentation of the Turkish people.
Every Turk in the movie, without exception, is shown to be greedy, corrupt, incompetent, ignorant, brutal or various combinations of these negative traits. The Turks who had a positive impact on the real Billy Hayes are omitted from the film, making it appear as though Turkey is home only to evil, conniving men.
The film works great as a story of strength and perseverance and as a critique against criminal injustice, but it commits its own injustice by presenting Turkey as nothing more than, to quote Hayes in the movie, "a nation of pigs.
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This review of Midnight Express (1978) was written by Charles T on 05 Nov 2012.
Midnight Express has generally received very positive reviews.
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