MOHAMMAD: MESSENGER OF GOD

MOHAMMAD: MESSENGER OF GOD (aka THE MESSAGE for U.S. video release)
is a 1976 film directed by Moustapha Akkad, chronicling the life and
times of the Prophet of Islam. Released in both Arabic language and
English language (Arabic name is الرسالة - English: Ar Risalah),
the film serves as an introduction to early Islamic history.

The film follows the years in which Mohammad is actively pursuing
his role as the Prophet of Islam, starting with the early years in
Mecca in which the Muslims were persecuted, the exodus to Medina,
and ending with the Muslims' triumphant return to Mecca. A number of
crucial events, such as the Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhud are depicted,
and the majority of the story is told from the point-of-view of peripheral
individuals such as Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle),
Abu Sufyan (the leader of Mecca), and Hind bint Utbah (an enemy of Islam).

Director Akkad faced resistance from Hollywood to making a film about
the origins of Islam, and had to go outside the United States to raise
the production money for the film. Lack of financing nearly shut down
the film as the initial backers pulled out, but financing was finally provided
by Libyan leader Moammar Al-Gadhafi. The film was shot in Libya and
Morocco, with production taking four and a half months to build the
cities of Mecca and Medina as they looked in Mohammad's time.

Director Akkad saw the film as a way to bridge the gap between
the Western and Islamic world, stating in a 1976 interview:

Nevertheless, some cinemas still received threatening telephone calls from
those who thought that the film offended Islam by portraying Muhammad in a
physical way, even though he is not shown on screen. On March 9, 1977, a group
of Black Muslims, led by Hamas Abdul Khaalis, seized several buildings and took
134 hostages in the Washington, D.C.. Their actions were related to a sectarian
dispute within the Black Muslim community. One of their demands was to prevent
the release of the film. One of the terrorists specifically said "he wanted a guarantee
from whole world it will never be shown" or they would execute some of the hostages".

Finally, when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S.,
another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C.
chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn
played Mohammed in the film, threatening to blow up the building and
its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was
resolved without explosion or injuries, though the film's American box
office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy."

Akkad also filmed an Arabic version of the film simultaneously with an Arab cast
for audiences in the Middle East. He felt that dubbing the English version in
Arabic would not be enough, as Arabic acting style differed from Hollywood's.
The actors would take turns doing the English and Arabic versions in each scene.
Both the English and Arabic versions are now sold together on some DVDs.

In accordance with Muslim beliefs, Muhammad could not be depicted
on-screen nor his voice be heard. This rule extended to his seven wives,
his daughters and his sons-in-law. This left Muhammad's uncle Hamza
(Anthony Quinn) and his adopted son Zayid (Damien Thomas) as
the central characters. During the battles of Badr and Uhud which
were depicted in the movie Hamza was in nominal command
even though the actual fighting was led by Muhammad.

Whenever Muhammad was present or very close by, his presence would
be indicated by light organ music. His words as he spoke them would be
repeated by someone else such as Hamza, Zayid and Bilal. When the scene
called for him to be present, the scene would be seen from his point of
view (as the camera). The others would then nod to the unheard dialogue.

The closest anyone comes to seeing any of Muhammad or his immediate
family is the view of Ali's sword Zulfiqar during the battle scenes and
Muhammad's she-camel and staff in the scenes at the Kaaba.