"Midnight Express" is a true story of a 20 year old American Billy Hayes, who tried to smuggle two kilograms of hashish out of Turkey.  Billy got searched at the Istanbul Airport, and the Turkish police arrested Billy.  In return for cooperation the police offered leniency, which Billy accepted.  Unfortunately, Billy tried to escape while cooperating with local authorities.  Billy now has to face the wrath of the Turkish justice system, which mainly wants to make an example out of foreigners, especially Americans used to getting away with Billy's behavior back in the States.