He bagan his film career in television with a film called The Evacuees. Sadly I haven't seen it and even sadder, it's not available on DVD or Blu-Ray or at all. He then directed Bugsy Malone. Bugsy Malone told the story of the rise of, of course, Bugsy Malone. It was a musical, it starred kids as the gangsters, it seems pretty weird. Unfortunately Bugsy Malone I have neither scene nor own as it has never been released this side of the Atlantic ocean. Next, Parker directed another TV movie called No Hard Feelings, again not available in any home format and thus I am unable, dear readers, to present you with a review of any of those films.
Which Brings us to Midnight Express. And what a way to start the career of Alan Parker. As I mentioned, this movie has to be one of the greatest prison movies I have ever seen. Even after 34 years, it's still right up there on the top. It sits with The Shawshank Redemption, The Bridge Over the River Kwai and Escape from Alcatraz as prison movies that will forever be cemented in my memory.
From what I have read, Bugsy Malone is hit and miss. Some people like it, some don't and overall it seems to be just okay. It appears to be a decent debut for Parker but it appears that he really came into his own, that he become a force to reckon with, when he directed Midnight Express, his second big screen feature film.
Based on a true story, Midnight Express is a harrowing, tense and original drama about prison. Less a movie about escape than what a prison is like and what it does to the soul, it starts witha wallop and doesn't let up till the end credits finish rolling. Amazing cinematography, captivating music, almost universal excellent acting and masterfully put together by the editor and Parker, this movie is a masterpiece, a thrill ride and has every right to be called a classic.
The lead role, played by Brad Davis, is probably the weakest performance in the whole picture. Not to say that Davis gives a bad performance, it's just at times he seems stronger than others and whenever John Hurt, Randy Quaid or Paul L. Smith appear he seems overshadowed. There are times though where his acting is utterly captivating. Case in point: when he goes crazy after John Hurt is taken away. Speaking of Hurt, he a marvel here, given an earth shattering performance that launched his career. He has rarely been better (or at least no worse) ever and deserved all the accolades and awards he received for the part. Paul L. Smith is menacing and terrifying as the Prison Warden and he makes you fear him every time he is on the screen.
The music, and soundtrack overall, is stellar. A fully synthesized score (first time ever!!) and a heart beat that plays throughout is pulse pounding and thrilling and oscar worthy. It did win the oscar for the music. The editing is solid and keeps the pace of the movie steady and moving forward and the cinematography is just gorgeous. You can feel the dirt on your skin, feel the darkness surround you and feel the pain inflicted by the prison as you watch the film unfold.
Alan Parker has made a taught, tight drama that thrills and terrifies at the same time. It shows, possibly for the first time, a realistic and brutal Turkish prison. It brings fear and teaches a lesson to tourists. It makes one not ever want to break the law in a foreign country, especially Turkey. Parker also makes the audience feel just like Davis's character throughout the movie. He does so in many ways but the most captivating way is the lack of subtitles. By not knowing what is being said we are as lost and confused as the characters. I've said it before and I'll say it again: truly masterful direction.
I first saw Midnight Express when I was around 15. I really liked it then and have probably seen it (not including last night) three or four times. Last night was the first time in perhaps 10 years that I had seen it. I actually found it more tense and more disturbing than I used to. Maybe it's because I'm older, wiser and know more about this crazy and sometimes scary world. Or maybe it's because this movie seems to get better with age. Other than a few choice hairstyles and pieces of clothing, this movie hasn't really aged a day. It looks real enough, feels real enough and seems like it could of been shot yesterday. And it is just as relevant today as the day it was made.
This movie is dark, disturbing and curiously uplifting. It's got humour, tension, thrills, chills and action. It's got great editing, amazing sets, amazing acting, glorious cinematography and a stunning soundtrack. It made Alan parker a serious contender on the directing side of the world and did the some for John Hurt on the actor's side. It also gave Oliver Stone a career, as he won an Oscar for his utterly riveting and excellent screenplay.
I recommend Midnight Express to everyone except those who are planning on smuggling drugs out of a foreign country. Other than that, this movie should be seen by everyone as it is a perfect example of the magic of cinema and what it can make us feel and what it can teach us. In a word: Awesome!!!!!
Film Rating: 91%
Breakdown (How Midnight Express scored 91%):
Production Design: 10 out of 10
Cinematography: 10 out of 10
Re-playability: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Costumes: 8 out of 10
Directing: 10 out of 10
Editing: 9 out of 10
Acting: 8 out of 10
Music: 9 out of 10
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