Overview"The Message" (also called "Mohammed, Messenger of God") is a 1976 legendary historical drama directed by Moustapha Akkad, portraying the life and times of Muhammad - the Prophet of Islam. Due to Muslim tradition prohibiting the depiction of Muhammad, his character is not aesthetically illustrated. Rather, his presence is recommended with first-person cam perspectives.
PlotThe movie starts with the future Muslim community in Mecca having a hard time under the outrageous society where justice is entirely in the hands of tribal chieftains. Individuals are divided by class and religion, idol worshipping prevails, and the weak are constantly being oppressed.
Muhammad gets his first discovery from God through Angel Gabriel. He and his followers deal with considerable opposition from Mecca's leaders, including Muhammad's influential uncle, Abu Lahab. Despite being avoided, bothered and boycotted, he continues to preach to his individuals about the idea of monotheism, equality and social justice, which he asserts were messages from God.
After withstanding years of Buddha's violent action to his message, Muhammad and his followers migrate to the inviting city of Medina, marking the start of the Islamic Hijri calendar. His neighborhood grows in Medina, ultimately going back to Mecca as an unified force and taking control of the city.
StylesThe movie depicts Islam's core beliefs of peace, equality and brotherhood. It handles to convey the crucial occasions and mentors of Islam, showing the increase of the religious beliefs amidst crippling social challenges. Even though the movie doesn't show Muhammad, it's told in such a method that the audiences become a part of his experiences, feeling his presence through the reactions of the other characters.
"Through an ingenious and well-executed approach of including a low-angled shot or making use of O.P. (off-screen existence) for the Prophet's viewpoint, the film does this with fantastic respect and etiquette, due to religious level of sensitivities, never portraying the Prophet visually or aurally, in it".
Production"The Message" was among the most enthusiastic motion picture projects of its time, offered its focus on a deeply historic and consistently sensitive subject. The film was shot in two versions, one in Arabic and one in English, both directed by Akkad. Shooting occurred in Morocco and Libya, with considerable difficulties including financing problems and altering the initial shooting area due to demonstrations by Muslim extremists.
ReceptionDespite initial debates, "The Message" was seriously acclaimed for its guts to tackle a subject as delicate as the origin of Islam, integrated with its innovative storytelling technique. The movie prospered in providing the birth of a world religion with enormous regard, and Anthony Quinn's (Hamza) performance was hailed.
The movie continues to hold significance due to its unique narrative style and for its portrayal of the pre-Islamic period, the life of the Prophet, and the birth of Islam. For many years, the film has been widely utilized as a resource to educate people about the origins of Islam.
Top Cast
