Midnight Express
Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of a country. The courts decide to make an example of him, sentencing him to more than 30 years in prison. Hayes has two opportunities for release: the appeals made by his lawyer, his family, and the American government, or the "Midnight Express".
From the archive
Midnight Express is a 1978 film directed by Alan Parker, based on the true story of Billy Hayes, an American student who was imprisoned in Turkey for drug smuggling. The story unfolds as Billy Hayes, played by Brad Davis, is caught attempting to smuggle heroin out of Turkey. After being arrested at the Istanbul airport, he faces a harsh legal system and is sentenced to 30 years in a brutal Turkish prison. As Hayes endures the horrific conditions of the prison, he meets other inmates from various backgrounds, each dealing with their own struggles. The film vividly portrays the physical and psychological torment he faces, illustrating the stark contrast between his initial carefree spirit and the grim reality of life behind bars. Desperate to escape, Hayes devises a plan to flee the prison, experiencing a transformative journey of despair and determination. His story highlights the themes of freedom, survival, and the impact of choices. In the end, it’s a tense and harrowing narrative that explores both the darkness of human experience and the quest for liberation.
Why this is free to watch
Midnight Express (1978) is hosted by the Internet Archive as a public-domain or openly licensed work, which means its copyright has expired, lapsed, or was released by the rights holder. The uploader declared an explicit licence, linked in the source panel. Nitrate streams the file directly from the Archive and hosts no video itself.
- Director
- Alan Parker
- Starring
- Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli, Paul L. Smith, Randy Quaid, Norbert Weisser, John Hurt
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