20 Things You Didn’t Know About Midnight Express
7. John Hurt Agreed Without Reading The Script
Throughout most of his career, John Hurt devoured scripts before deciding whether to be cast. Before appearing in Midnight Express, Hurt had been involved in Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs (a fantastic album name if ever there was one). While working on the short with George Harrison’s Handmade Film’s, Hurt saw several short films produced by Alan Parker.
Hurt was enamoured with the shorts made by Parker. Upon being asked to read for Parker’s upcoming prison break movie, Hurt immediately accepted the role without looking at the script.
Before a principle meeting, producer David Puttnam was convinced that John Hurt would excel in the movie. Lord Puttnam recalls approaching Hurt for the role of Max, and sold it to him by asking, ‘how would you like to win an Oscar?’
Hurt was unsuccessful in winning the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role but did receive a nomination.