Midnight Express - videos, teasers and stills from filming

All videos, teasers and footage from the filming of the film "Midnight Express"

Midnight Express (1978)

Timing: 2:1 (121 min)

7.51/10
1640

7.827/10
18606

7.5/10
86733

All about film

Video 1

Photo 35

Actors and characters

English

1:36

Despite the film being presented as based on a true story, Billy Hayes stated that the events in the picture appear exaggerated and partially fictional compared to his actual imprisonment in an Istanbul prison over 20 years ago.
John Travolta and Richard Gere both auditioned for the role of Billy Hayes.
Brad Davis, the film's lead actor, wrote in his book that he experienced drug problems during the film's promotion.
Although the film is set in Turkey, it was shot in Valletta, Malta.
Filming was moved to Malta after Turkish authorities denied permission.
Turkish officials were deeply offended by the way their country was portrayed in the film, and they made this very public.
In one of the opening scenes at the airport, you can spot a long-haired man in dark clothing walking away from the camera. It is clear that this man is none other than director Alan Parker.
The film was shot in 53 days.
The scene in which Brad Davis's character bites the tongue off one of the prisoners was so unpleasant for the entire film crew that they all left the set during its filming, leaving Alan Parker with only two actors. In fact, Davis had to hold a pig's tongue in his mouth.
Oliver Stone's original script envisioned detailing Billy Hayes's escape through the mountains, but the project's modest budget did not allow for these scenes to be filmed.

Did you like the film?