Midnight Express is a 1978 film, based on Billy Hayes' book of the same name adapted into screenplay by Oliver Stone. Hayes was a young American student sent to a Turkish prison for trying to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. The movie deviates from the book's accounts of the story, especially in its portrayal of Turks, to such a level that many have criticized the movie version, including Billy Hayes himself. Later both Oliver Stone and Billy Hayes expressed their regret on how Turkish people were portrayed in the movie. It starred Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli, Paul L. Smith, Randy Quaid, Norbert Weisser, Peter Jeffrey and John Hurt. Alan Parker directed and David Puttnam produced. The film's title is prison slang for an inmate's escape attempt.

Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of Turkey. The Turkish 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". Written by Murray Chapman

Created out of a desire to see more worthwhile films made for young audiences, "The Midnight Express" is a modern-day fairy tale with a story that appeals to children of all ages. Shot on 16m black and white film and cut together by hand, the film is crafted to offer its viewers a round-trip ticket from a young boy's bedroom to a world of fantasy. Encouraging audiences to look for the magic in their own lives, "The Midnight Express" will remind you that childhood is as much a ride as it is a journey. Telling the story of young Charlie Foster and the overnight express train rerouted through his bedroom, "The Midnight Express" shows the lengths a six year old boy will go to in order to get a good night's sleep. When his parents won't believe him and the City Planner insists a train hasn't gone through his bedroom for years, Charlie takes matters into his own hands to derail the train conductor's plans once and for all. Using a style all its own, "The Midnight Express" illustrates that nothing is ever what it seems and that while your thoughts are worth only a penny, your imagination is priceless. Written by Anonymous