20 Things You Didn’t Know About Midnight Express
8. Brad Davis Almost Didn’t Make It
While never fully making it as a leading man in Hollywood, Brad Davis’s work in Midnight Express is superb. The actor’s range is highlighted in every scene when Billy Hayes endures hardship and uncertainty in his surroundings. Davis was adept in portraying vulnerability and desperation, and even in the infamous scene where he criticises the judges and lawyers, his outburst is believable.
In the movie’s most violent scene, Davis captures the moment the prisoner finally loses his sanity perfectly. According to director Alan Parker, he struggled to rein in Davis during the scene as the actor was so engrossed in the portrayal.
Despite never excelling beyond his work in Midnight Express, Davis was stellar in his portrayal of an exaggerated Billy Hayes. However, this could have all been different as Brad Davis almost missed the opportunity.
During an early screen-test, the newly hired Davis arrived two hours late due to his car breaking down. Covered in engine oil and sweat, the actor apologised for his tardiness and got on with the work. Imagine what would have happened had Alan Parker passed the opportunity over to someone else.