Midnight Express is a 1977 nonfiction book by Billy Hayes and William Hoffer about Hayes' experience as a young American who was sent to a Turkish prison. The U.S. had declared a "War on Drugs" in the early 1970s, and Hayes was made an example of for trying to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. When his sentence was extended to 30 years, he decided to make his escape. The book was adapted by Oliver Stone and directed by Alan Parker into a 1978 feature film of the same name that, in Hayes' opinion, took many liberties with the book. After reading the book, Australian country music singer Shane Nicholson recorded an album and title track, Bad Machines, which was inspired by the book.
Adaptations (1)
Midnight Express was adapted into a 1978 film.
Midnight Express1978 · film · 121 min · dir. Alan Parker · IMDb ↗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".
