The Message (1977)

Handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who... See full synopsis »

Director:

Moustapha Akkad

Writers:

H.A.L. Craig, Tewfik El-Hakim,

Stars:

Anthony Quinn, Irene Papas, Michael Ansara

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Quinn	...	Hamza
Irene Papas	...	Hind
Michael Ansara	...	Abu Sofyan
Johnny Sekka	...	Bilal
Michael Forest	...	Khalid
Garrick Hagon	...	Ammar
Damien Thomas	...	Zaid
André Morell	...	Abu-Talib
Martin Benson	...	Abu-Jahal
Robert Brown	...	Otba
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Somaya
Bruno Barnabe	...	Umaya
Neville Jason	...	Jaafar
John Bennett	...	Salool
Donald Burton	...	Amr

Storyline

Handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

people of the book | arab culture | prophet | great religion | christanity | 

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Taglines:

The story of Islam

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Lebanon Libya Kuwait Morocco UK

Language:

English Arabic

Release Date:

8 July 1977 (France)

Also Known As:

Mohammad: Messenger of God

Filming Locations:

Libya

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmco International Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

177 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Germany) Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As a protest against the release of this film, Afro-American Hinafi Muslims, under their leader, Hamaas Abdul Khaalis (born Ernest McGhee, 1921 - 2003), seized several adjoining buildings in Washington DC, from March 9 - 11, 1977. They took 149 hostages and killed a police officer and a broadcast journalist in a 39-hour-long standoff.

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Quotes

Bilal: There is no compulsion in religion. A man may take many years, or only need minutes. It is God who decides the time.

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Connections

Featured in The Making of an Epic: Mohammad Messenger of God (1976)

User Reviews

A masterpiece of religious cinema

Anthony Quinn is no doubt one of the greatest actors of the 20th century...The strange thing is that he fits to the muslim roles with such a perfection that, with his contribution "The Message" and "The Lion of the Dessert" both have been masterpieces which are still watched by many people. Though the theme of this movie is the birth of Islam, I think it should have a variety of audience from many religions and cultures. I think the things that are emphasized, the struggle for the cause you believe, the sacrifices you have made for the beloved, are all universal values that have been emphasized with a rather outstanding casting and directing...I think everyone should watch this movie no matter what his/her religion, thought, culture is... Thanks Moustapha Akkad, Thanks Anthony Quinn, Thanks Irene Papas....You have made an excellent movie.....