On July 23, Turner Classic Movies is broadcasting 1978’s Midnight Express. This film is so gripping that, thirty-plus years after its release, you can’t hear “Turkish prison” without immediately thinking of Midnight Express. It’s probably done more to keep American kids from bringing drugs into Turkey than any other factor. Midnight Express is based on a true story, and is amped up considerably by Oliver Stone’s screenplay. Nominated for six Oscars, it won two.
TCM is also showing Cool Hand Luke on July 23. Both are on my list of 10 Best Prison Movies