I'm having a hard time seeing how this film has aged well, because now it feels like a rather patronizing portrayal of Turkey’s justice system, as though criticizing its severe treatment of someone caught smuggling drugs. The character “Billy” (Brad Davis) fails to clear customs when attempting to leave Istanbul with a large amount of hashish hidden under his clothes while visibly anxious. Initially, he's released on bail with the understanding that he will help locate those who supplied him, but he tries to deceive them and ends up receiving a four-year prison sentence instead. There’s no denying that conditions inside are harsh, and the head guard, “Hamidou” (Paul L. Smith), whose sexuality is somewhat unclear, seems particularly hostile toward the attractive young American, with support from the unpleasant prisoner informant “Rifki” (Paolo Bonacelli), who also doesn't care for "Billy." Fortunately, he does manage to form some friendships, especially with the sick British man “Max” (John Hurt), and they help him stay on track for a little while. However, when disturbing news arrives just as he’s about to be released, it becomes apparent that he will need to take more extreme measures if he wants to leave. What bothers me is that the entire story seems designed to get us to feel sorry for this young man, despite his clear guilt, by painting a picture of Turkish people as obese, brutish, prone to arbitrary violence, and even depraved. Director Alan Parker never makes an effort to remind viewers that this real-life individual was imprisoned because of his own actions – selfish and arrogant ones at that – and that the court might have been trying to deter others with similar disrespect for Turkey. Wouldn’t we react similarly if someone were caught here, and haven't we seen films depicting terrible things happening in our own prisons? I don’t appreciate being manipulated into feeling sympathy for a character simply because of exaggerated details added for artistic effect. Davis is pleasant enough to look at, but his acting isn’t consistently good. Really, only Hurt and Bonacelli deserve any praise for their performances as this dark and gritty drama leads us along. If you can't handle the consequences, don't commit the crime - even if you are American!

Source on TMDB