Mr. Media: The Billy Hayes Interview by Bob Andelman | Full Audiobook

Brad Davis on Midnight Express’s Legacy and His Life

Brad Davis (the subject of Midnight Express) discusses how the film’s legacy—and his own life—were shaped by his arrest and imprisonment in Turkey. He argues that being arrested was both the “worst and best thing” for him: it forced him to mature, learn what he needed to learn, and ultimately helped set his life onto a new path.

Davis emphasizes that his jail time led to his writing career, including getting his books published, and later personal stability. He met his wife at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival when Midnight Express premiered there, and they have been together for decades.

The Long Development of Sally Susman’s Documentary

The discussion also focuses on the extended development of Sally Susman’s documentary about Midnight Express. The project took nearly 12 years to come together, evolving over time rather than following a fixed script.

Davis and his wife later returned to Cannes 37 years after their first meeting to support the documentary—framing it as a “full circle.” They contrast the event with the overwhelming, unsettled emotions surrounding the original film premiere, when Davis was newly released from prison.

Cultural Impact and Misconceptions About Turkey

A key theme is the cultural impact of the original movie and the misconceptions it created about Turkey and Turkish people. Davis credits the documentary’s purpose—driven by Susman—with addressing the power of film and how Midnight Express influenced perceptions in “strange bizarre ways” that persist decades later.

He also notes that while he found the film incredible and appreciates the filmmakers’ efforts (script, direction, music), it did not fully present his story as he would like—particularly in its portrayal and “attitude towards the Turks.”

Davis adds that he had positive experiences with Istanbul and Turkish people before his arrest, including multiple visits. He says that parts of his broader experience were either not possible to share publicly at the time or were omitted from the original narrative due to legal and personal constraints.

Presenters/Contributors

• Brad Davis
• Sally Susman
• Bob Andelman
• Wendy (Davis’s wife)
• Oliver (writer mentioned in relation to the original film)
• Alan Parker (director mentioned in relation to the original film)