Last night, I finally watched Midnight Express. I am so glad I didn't see it before my trip to Turkey back in 2000, or I would have had more than a second thought or two.  In case you are like me, one of the last two people who haven't seen this movie, let me give you the basic plot. Billy Hayes is visiting Istanbul in 1970 with his girlfriend Susan, and right before leaving decides to smuggle some hash out of the country. He gets caught and then gets thrown in a Turkish jail. Jail is no picnic and Billy is desperate to get out but not his parents' money or the US consul can really help him. Turkey wants to make an example of him (if not of their prison system).