Midnight Express Spoiler

Based on the true story of Billy Hayes, this film made in 1978 shows the harrowing story that he had to go through. Although this film made not need a spoiler as people may have already heard of the story of Billy Hayes, it can still be considered as a thriller because of the ruthless acts of violence and suspense.

The film Midnight Express is adapted from the book Midnight Express, written by Billy Hayes himself. There has been criticism from this film, even from Billy Hayes, mainly to do with the portrayal of the Turks, because they are portrayed differently in the book. The film shows the true story of how Billy managed to escape the Turkish prison, or what prisoners call 'catching the Midnight Express'. There were several failed attempts to escape the prison throughout the film, mainly by Billy's accomplice Jimmy. 

Dragged to the prisons sanitarium he is faced with the guard who's been torturing him in prison. When faced with fighting off the guard after he tries to rape Billy, he pushes the guard onto a clothes peg which brutally pierces through his head and kills him. Although the death was horrific, it was certainly deserving for the character who was the antagonist of our protagonist. Billy then dresses himself in the guard's uniform and reclaiming his money, Billy walks through the prison unnoticed to the front door. 

As he walks out of the sanitarium, another guard stops him and throws him the keys to the door telling him (in Turkish) to remember to lock up when he checks out. Billy walks out to the street, slowing down only briefly when a police jeep rushes past him. He runs away, the frame freezing on him as he takes a victorious leap. A title card tells us that on the night of October 4, 1975, Billy was able to cross the Turkish border into Greece and flew home to the United States three weeks later. The final shots of the film before the closing credits show Billy reuniting with his family and Susan, his girlfriend. In my opinion it was a very rewarding ending because for me I hadn't heard of Billy Hayes story so I didn't know the outcome of his story. So for me I wouldn't consider this a biography but more of a true story.