Il Messaggio: La Storia dell'Islam

This is a great film. I'm a history major who took several courses in the history of the Middle East and Islam, so nothing is going to be good or accurate or trivia filled enough for me, but it certainly didn't contradict anything I'd learned (for cinematic purposes or otherwise), and that's more than I can say for any historical epic I've seen in several years.

This film starts with Muhammed receiving the Koran from the angel Gabriel and ends at his death. It was filmed in accordance with Islamic political correctness, so The Prophet himself is never depicted, visually or vocally. While this is well affected, it unfortunately removes him from a lot of the story. I would like to have known a lot more about his life from the film, not his mannerisms or speech as depicted by a particular actor, but at least the major events of his life, his children, his wives, and so on.

Having said that, however, the film is still a very good depiction of the birth of Islam. The plot focuses on the historical events rather than the Koran itself, which contains almost no history from its own period, and is therefore different from a lot of Biblical epics which present the historical events IN the Bible. It's accurate in that it tries to present the birth of Islam as most people today probably learn it. Definitely not a propaganda piece, but it's not a movie filled with facts, truth or fiction, more a movie of character and tone. It's more similar to Braveheart than it is to Ben Hur or the Gospel of John. The movie presents a decent snapshot of the times and the attitudes and lifestyles under which Islam developed.

The acting is fantastic, the music is good (won an academy award), and the cinematography, filmed in Morocco and Libya, is beautiful. Costumes are cool, and there's a few scenes with a set of ancient bagpipes for you Celtic history buffs.

Director Mustapha Akkad thought the Islam is misrepresented and there is a right way to present it. He thought the most effective way to present was a creating a movie.

So he moved on to USA with just a Holy Quran to guide him.

Besides the great movie he make, he make it with two different cast for a different language. That is one of the specialities of the project.

The movie is teaching Islam with the best way to present it. The story is saying that Christianity and Islam is not that different, the movie just teaches the truth. Before Internet this was the best way to present the Islam with the right way. There was sadly more Islamafobi than today, there was misunderstanding to Islam. This movie can't fix all that but it was quite amazing project. All the box office earnings were donated by the way.

This wasn't the only reason why he made this movie. He made an amazing movie that inspires so many people. The story of our Prophet Muhammed (S. A. V.) that we all should know. Not the whole life story of course but at least the major events.

Cinematography is quite amazing, I wasn't aware of that because there was no wide-screen version of the movie until 4K Blu-Ray. The 4K makes the visual quality so much better. Also sound quality is improved but it could be better.

The Academy Award nominated Original Scores by Maurice Jarre is just beyond perfect. I don't know how to describe it, It's so inspirational. Composer Maurice Jarre said "I lived in the middle of the desert for three months to get inspiration." He's so brilliant composer, he made one of the most iconic Original Scores of all time.

The Art Direction & Set Decoration is also perfect. Makes you feel that you're living that scene. Costume Design and Makeup is also quite good. These are brings more reality to a Historical movie.

This film is about how Islam began from the beginning until its establishment. Anthony Quinn stars as the uncle of Prophet Mohammed (p.b.u.h) Hamza who is the leader of an army of a few loyal men against an army of thousands. The film is not about offence but about defence and ends with peaceful armed less walk into the city of Mecca after many years of suffering.

This film explains how the Prophet Mohammed start his message with a few men and eventually gaining thousands and as you can see today millions. The film talks about the establishment the spread of Gods message and the story of the men who had to give away there lives for the sake of Gods words including the sacrifices that are made is the death of Hamza (Anthony Quinn).

I was assigned to view this movie for class. From what I have learned thus far, this movie is the best representation of the truth about Islam. With all that is going on in the world today and many people's misconceptions about Islam this is a must see for all.

Not only is it an educational masterpiece... The Message has a brilliant musical score, beautiful cinematography, a wonderful script, and terrific acting. If your video stores do not carry it, order it from Amazon.com and learn the truth about the origins of the worlds fastest growing religion and what it stands for.

If you are a muslim, you must see this, if you are interested in Islam, you must see this, and all others should still see this. It's an experience of a lifetime! It shows the true meaning of Islam, its roots, its basic beliefs, and so much more... When I first saw this film, it left me in tears and speechless for quite some time after. When I watch it today, it still does! I don't believe anyone can watch this film and not become moved or even shaken by what he/she sees and hears! If the movie has one shortcoming, it's that the main character, prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), is never actually seen or heard, as it would have been a deadly sin to have an 'imposter' playing Him in the movie. Although this takes some getting used to and creates some lengths (i.e. dialogs which are rather more monologues with pauses), the rest of the movie compensates in full! Watching this movie will probably not make you go out to become a muslim (although I have read that most of the cast/crew involved did so), but certainly put some thought and understanding into you. One of the must see movies or all time!!!