Review of Midnight Return: The Story of Billy Hayes and Turkey (2016) by Marlene S — 06 Feb 2018

Having loved the original movie and paid to see it 13 times, I was excited to hear of Midnight Return, and anxious to know the real story. Fortuitously for me, there was a one-week screening event in Toronto where I live, last week. I attended 3 screenings as the director was present for Q&A afterwards.

Kudos to the film-maker. Midnight Return is an enlightening look at truth in cinema, and tells the background story of one of pop-culture's greatest events, succinctly, clearly and with humor... not an easy feat. I found this movie cathartic, very human, and I was genuinely touched by the innocence of everyone involved in the original movie. If Midnight Express touched your life in any way, you must see Midnight Return. This full-circle story is told beautifully, with wit and character.