20 Things You Didn’t Know About Midnight Express
14. John Hurt's Nostrils
While in prison, Billy Hayes befriends several international inmates and they show him the ropes. There is Jimmy, a large, hot-tempered American who is desperate to flee the Turkish justice system, Erich, a soft-spoken Swede who appears to be Hayes’ only true companion, and Max, an unkempt British heroin junkie, played magnificently by the late John Hurt.
To fully get into the character of Max, Hurt began refusing to bathe during the filming of the movie. Spending long hours on set in the humid Maltese heat, the British legend began to acquire a particularly pungent body odour. Ever the consummate professional, Hurt continued his daily requirements festering under his prison costume.
As filming continued, more and more people avoided the character actor because his pugnacious pong had beaten their noses into submission. Parker noted how even in the bar after recording, Hurt was left alone due to his body odour. The actor remained unfazed, illustrating how dedicated he was to his craft.