Current Events > Just watched Midnight Express a grim movie about an American in a Turkish prison

(+) Yeah! (+)

A guy stuck in a Turkish prison for 3 years out of a 30 year sentence for trying to smuggle hash out of the country. And all the tortures he had to endure before eventually being able to break out. Based on a true story to boot.

This movie has randy Quaid as one of the prisoners. When I eventually recognized him I was like wtf is that randy Quaid.

The guy escapes after killing the head guard that was about to rape him. I was like wtf that comes out of nowhere. And yup turns out it was a completely fictionalized take for the movie.

Noumas posted...

When I eventually recognized him I was like wtf is that randy Quaid.

Confusion and fear are wholly appropriate responses when unexpectedly faced with Randy Quaid.

Its just overall a really dark movie that's difficult to watch and I only did because it had such high RT rating but I didn't care for it

Watch A Boy and his Dog, next to relax -- as it's a comedy, and from the same era.

Thats what Midnight Express was about? I thought it something akin to Easy Rider or Blade Runner or something

WellKnownNomad posted...

Thats what Midnight Express was about? I thought it something akin to Easy Rider or Blade Runner or something

Lol no it's a much more grounded, dark and difficult movie. I dont know what theme or message it was trying to send either.

Noumas posted...

turns out it was a completely fictionalized take for the movie.

Well without it we can only see the main character as the bad guy/criminal. This way we will see him as a victim.

Ricemills posted...

Well without it we can only see the main character as the bad guy/criminal. This way we will see him as a victim.

Oh trust me despite the whole hash thing you do end up feeling sorry for him way before with all the beatings he had to endure, scapegoating the government does to him, and general misery of being in a prison in a foreign place.

Really great movie.

Most these days only know about Shawshank and Green Mile.

Not movies like Papillon (1973) and The Hill.

Hell even Eastwood's Escape From Alcatraz is better.

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Really great movie.

Most these days only know about Shawshank and Green Mile.

Not movies like Papillon (1973) and The Hill.

Hell even Eastwood's Escape From Alcatraz is better.

Imo green mile and shawshank is still good. This movie did shawshank like 20 years prior, even ends with him escaping. Although he wasn't wrongfully accused like shawshank, just severely punished

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViN2bRGrBx8

That sweet Moroder song that plays when he is being chased

Assuming you might not know, when you should.

There was a big deal wrestling tag-team called The Midnight Express and used the theme.

Is that bastard Jim Cornette in it?

WellKnownNomad posted...

I thought it something akin to Easy Rider or Blade Runner or something

I'm struggling to figure out how those two films are similar.

Oh, Billy

*Presses tits against the glass*

https://youtu.be/IrPWkIRWY9U

I'm watching it now. I only have vague memories of the adults watching this movie when I was a kid in the 80s. I know the soundtrack, and I've seen the Locked Up Abroad episode about this story. But I haven't seen the full movie that I can remember. I'm about 41 minutes into it. Pretty good so far.

Georgio Moroder led to me watch this film, and all I remember of it is Georgio Moroder.

Spurner posted...

Oh, Billy

I now understand that reference. :D

Huh wow I've seen the title of that movie a countless number of times. Always assumed it was a horror movie that took place on a train.

Saw that years ago. You should check out Locked up Aborad.

I just finished the movie. It was good. The Locked Up Abroad episode was better in that it went into more detail about his escape from what I remember anyway. Also, I looked up the main actor's wikipedia. Looks like he had a messed up life and died young.

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Really great movie.

Most these days only know about Shawshank and Green Mile.

Not movies like Papillon (1973) and The Hill.

Hell even Eastwood's Escape From Alcatraz is better.

Shawshank is overrated but still good. Green Mile is great.

Did that main guy really kill that head prison guard dude IRL?

Spurner posted...

Oh, Billy

*Presses tits against the glass*

That scene was so horrifying and uncomfortable. Imagine being an actress and they don't have you for the entire movie until the end where they have you do that. That was your only role. I thought the tears were real from the actress herself. So uncomfortable to watch.