20 Things You Didn’t Know About Midnight Express

One of the most infamous scenes in Midnight Express occurs when Billy has a mental breakdown. After being used as in a political game between the US and Turkey, Hayes’ original sentence of four years was increased to life. The protagonist discovered this fact mere weeks before his original release date.

The desperate Billy agrees to try escaping one more time with Jimmy, but their plans are foiled by the prison informant, Rifki. Further bullying from the snitch breaks Hayes’ will, and he explodes in one of the most visceral fight scenes in the history of Hollywood.

Beating Rifki around a washroom, the young American subdues the rat with a blow to the head using nearby concrete steps. With Rifki defenceless, Billy swoops into the mouth of his fellow convict and bites out his tongue.

Onset, this infamous scene is said to have been so disturbing that crew members withdrew to the back of the set during filming. Eventually, the only people present were the actors involved and director, Alan Parker.