Midnight Express (1978) – Filming Locations
Drama / Crime · Directed by Alan Parker · Starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle
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".
Where was Midnight Express filmed?
- Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul – Opening establishing shots of Istanbul and the protagonist's arrival in the city. The iconic religious and historical district provides the authentic Turkish setting for the film's opening and grounds the story in Istanbul's cultural landscape
- Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul – Exterior scenes establishing the Turkish landscape and historical setting. The historic Ottoman palace serves as an authentic backdrop establishing the Turkish setting and cultural context of the narrative
- Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul – Street scenes and market sequences showing Turkish daily life before the protagonist's arrest. Authentic Istanbul street locations and the famous bazaar establish the film's Turkish setting and provide realism to the opening sequences
- Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul – Prison sequences depicting the protagonist's incarceration in Turkish prison. An actual Turkish prison was used for exterior and some interior prison scenes, providing authentic atmosphere for the film's harrowing central setting
- Montreal, Canada, Montreal – Interior prison scenes and some studio-based sequences. Studio and sound stage work in Montreal provided controlled environments for interior prison sequences and emotionally intense scenes