Billy Hayes' Prison Escape
How did Hayes' five years turn to thirty?
4.1 (27)
51 mins
Explore how Billy Hayes went from a young American traveler to a prisoner serving a lengthy sentence in Turkey. Discover the years of fear, isolation, and uncertainty that eventually pushed him toward a daring escape involving the sea.
Ep 1:
The Myth Behind Midnight Express
Before Hollywood turned him into legend, Billy Hayes was a reckless young smuggler running Turkish hash four times over—until Black September and one fateful bus ride changed everything.
Ep 2:
Bayrampaşa: Torture, Madness, and Betrayal
Thrown into Istanbul's brutal Bayrampaşa Prison, Billy endures torture, hatches a mad escape plan, and loses his best friend—then faces a devastating new sentence: thirty years.
Ep 3:
Rowboat to Freedom
Transferred to the 'inescapable' Imrali Island, Billy plots a daring rowboat escape through storms, patrols, and freezing waters in a desperate race for the Greek border.
Ep 4:
Truth, Turkey, and Redemption
Decades later, Billy confronts the lies Hollywood told about Turkey, returning to Istanbul to set the record straight and finally reckon with his own arrogance.
Discussions (5)
Justin
Level 2 · 1 week agoThe escape scene was actually more cinematic than the movie version tbh
Connie
Level 8 · 1 week agoThe 90% tourism drop claim is real. Turkey's tourism tanked hard after 78. Whole country paid for one guy's smuggling habit and Oliver Stone's script.
Marlowe
Level 2 · 1 week ago3 successful runs and still thought he was untouchable 💀
