The Message

The Message (1976 film). The Message (Arabic: الرسالة‎ Ar-Risalah; other titles: Mohammad, Messenger of God and The Message: The Story of Islam) is a 1976 film and Quranic epic directed by Moustapha Akkad chronicling the life and times of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

Handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who, in accordance with the tenants of Islam, is never seen or heard (as this is offensive to certain islamic schools of thought).

In Mecca in the 7th century, Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel, who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca. With the help of his uncle, a brave warrior named Hamza (Anthony Quinn), Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God.

The Message (originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed, Messenger of God) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. The Message was shot in two versions, one in English and one in Arabic (entitled Al-Ris-Alah), with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements.

Directed by Moustapha Akkad

Writing Credits (in alphabetical order)

H.A.L. Craig

Tewfik El-Hakim

A.B. Jawdat El-Sahhar

A.B. Rahman El-Sharkawi

Mohammad Ali Maher

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

Moustapha Akkad ... producer

Harold Buck ... associate producer

Mohammad Sanousi ... associate producer

Music by - Maurice Jarre

Cinematography by - Said Baker

Jack Hildyard - Ibrahim Salem

Film Editing by - John Bloom

Casting by - Maude Spector

Production Design by - Maurice Fowler, Tambi Larsen

Art Direction by - Norman Dorme, Abdel Monem Shokry

Costume Design by - Phyllis Dalton

Copyright (C) 1976 by Filmco International Productions Incorporated