Review of Midnight Express (1978) by Uditha D — 01 Jan 2012

Midnight Express was an especial favorite of my father, and knowing he wasn't much into movies, I was expectant as I watched it. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed at all. True, it was repulsively and shockingly horrifying: after all, even the true story behind it was so.

But no one can fail to see the message clearly imprinted on all those petty scenes. The Turkish prisons were rather inaccurately depicted, and it was for this reason that the real Billy Hayes was disappointed in it, but as a film that dabbled in its subject matter, I think it was beautifully done and displayed.

Billy Hayes was played to brilliant perfection by Brad Davis, who later became synonymous for his role. His character was one of constant anguish: in fact, he played the role so perfectly that I could actually feel his deep pulsation in his anguish and fear.

In the end, the film ended on a wonderfully sober note, and it left a deep message in my heart to never commit a wrong-doing in my life. And all those who watch this great classic shouldn't fail to register that in their minds either.

It's brutal alright, but Midnight Express is at the same time a powerful, and anguishing, piece of artistic merit.