Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Destiny

Original title: Al-massir
  • 1997
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Khaled Nabawy and Nour El-Sherif in Destiny (1997)
ComedyDramaHistoryMusicalRomance

The story is set in the 12th century in Arab-ruled Spanish province Andalusia, where famed philosopher Averroes is appointed grand judge by the caliph and his liberal court judgments are not... Read allThe story is set in the 12th century in Arab-ruled Spanish province Andalusia, where famed philosopher Averroes is appointed grand judge by the caliph and his liberal court judgments are not liked by everyone. The caliph's political rivals, centered around the leader of a fanatic... Read allThe story is set in the 12th century in Arab-ruled Spanish province Andalusia, where famed philosopher Averroes is appointed grand judge by the caliph and his liberal court judgments are not liked by everyone. The caliph's political rivals, centered around the leader of a fanatical Islamic sect, force the caliph to send Averroes into exile, but his ideas keep on livin... Read all

  • Director
    • Youssef Chahine
  • Writers
    • Youssef Chahine
    • Khaled Youssef
  • Stars
    • Nour El-Sherif
    • Layla Olwi
    • Mahmoud Hemida
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Youssef Chahine
    • Writers
      • Youssef Chahine
      • Khaled Youssef
    • Stars
      • Nour El-Sherif
      • Layla Olwi
      • Mahmoud Hemida
    • 15User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos34

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 28
    View Poster

    Top cast23

    Edit
    Nour El-Sherif
    Nour El-Sherif
    • Averroes
    • (as Nour El Cherif)
    Layla Olwi
    Layla Olwi
    • The gypsy woman
    Mahmoud Hemida
    Mahmoud Hemida
    • Al Mansour, The Caliph
    • (as Mahmoud Hemeida)
    Safia El Emari
    Safia El Emari
    • Averroes' Wife
    • (as Safia El Emary)
    Mohamed Mounir
    • The Bard
    Khaled Nabawy
    Khaled Nabawy
    • Nasser, The Crown Prince
    • (as Khaled El Nabaoui)
    Seif Abdelrahman
    Seif Abdelrahman
    • The Caliph's Brother
    • (as Seif Abdel Rahman)
    Abdalla Mahmoud
    Abdalla Mahmoud
    • Borhan
    Ahmed Fouad Selim
    • Cheikh Riad
    Rogeena
    • Salma
    • (as Regina)
    Magdy Edris
    • Emir of the Sect
    • (as Magdi Idris)
    Ahmed Moukhtar
    • Bard
    Sherifa Maher
    • Manuella's Mother
    Rayek Azzab
    • El Razi
    Hassan El Adl
    • Gaafar
    • (as Hasan El-Adl)
    Hani Salama
    Hani Salama
    • Abdellah
    Faris Rahoma
    • Youssef
    Mohamed Malas
    • Director
      • Youssef Chahine
    • Writers
      • Youssef Chahine
      • Khaled Youssef
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Alexandria... Why?
    7.3
    Alexandria... Why?
    An Egyptian Story
    7.3
    An Egyptian Story
    Al-mohager
    6.5
    Al-mohager
    The Land
    8.0
    The Land
    Chaos, This Is
    7.2
    Chaos, This Is
    Alexandria: Again and Forever
    6.6
    Alexandria: Again and Forever
    Return of the Prodigal Son
    7.1
    Return of the Prodigal Son
    Saladin
    7.5
    Saladin
    Allaeb ma'a alkebar
    6.8
    Allaeb ma'a alkebar
    Cairo Station
    7.5
    Cairo Station
    The Shame
    8.0
    The Shame
    Kit Kat
    8.2
    Kit Kat

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to an interview actor Nour El-Sherif stated that the role of Ibn Roshd was supposed to be played by director Youssef Chahine himself, but Nour told him that he was not suitable for the role.
    • Quotes

      Caliph's brother: Thoughts have wings. No one can prevent them from flying.

    • Connections
      Featured in Humbert Balsan, producteur rebelle (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Alli sotak
      and "Gamr el Hawa", words by Sameh El Kodoussi and Kawssar Mostapha, music by Kamal El Tawil

      Performed by Mohamed Mounir

    User reviews15

    Featured review
    9/10

    A masterpiece of the modern Egyptian movie making

    The movie is simply great. So beautiful, so entertaining, so well-made. As beautiful as I had expected from yousef shaheen, the director, as a leader of the modern Egyptian movie making. The ideal declared by the film is a throbbing hot one. Liberal thought and freedom from all pre-made and superimposed thought is a subject that I never saw treated in such an open manner, especially in a conservative society like the Egyptian one. The Camera playing, the lighting modules, the music, the positioning of the right song in the right situation are all points that count on the director's side. The scene where the Khaleefa says: "I'm the Andalus" with him being zoomed out to appear dotted in the centre of the screen, is one scene that I don't think will forget. The actors choice was also very successful. If you have never seen an Egyptian film before, this is a good one to start with.
    • khachaba
    • Jan 23, 1999
    • Permalink

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ13

    • How long is Destiny?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 16, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Egypt
    • Languages
      • Arabic
      • French
    • Also known as
      • El destino
    • Filming locations
      • Krak des Chevaliers, Syria(sect training grounds)
    • Production companies
      • Canal+
      • Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
      • Fonds Sud Cinéma
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Khaled Nabawy and Nour El-Sherif in Destiny (1997)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Destiny (1997)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.