The Message (1976 film)

The Message
Film poster
Directed by	Moustapha Akkad
Produced by	Moustapha Akkad Harold Buck Mohammed Sanousi
Written by	H.A.L. Craig A.B. Jawdat al-Sahhar Tawfiq al-Hakim A.B Rahman al-Sharkawi Mohammad Ali Maher
Screenplay by	H.A.L. Craig
Based on	The Islamic prophet Muhammad
Starring	Anthony Quinn Irene Papas Michael Ansara Johnny Sekka Michael Forest
Narrated by	Richard Johnson
Music by	Maurice Jarre
Cinematography	Said Baker Jack Hildyard Ibrahim Salem
Edited by	John Bloom Hussein Afifi
Production company	Filmco International Productions Inc.
Distributed by	Tarik Film Distributors
Release date	30 October 1976 (1976-10-30) (London) 9 March 1977 (1977-03-09) (New York)
Running time	English: 178 minutes Arabic: 207 minutes
Country	Lebanon Libya Kuwait Morocco United Kingdom
Language	Arabic English
Budget	$10 million
Box office	$15 million

The Message (Arabic: الرسالة‎‎ Ar-Risālah; originally known as Mohammad, Messenger of God) is a 1976 epic historical drama film directed by Moustapha Akkad, chronicling the life and times of Muhammad. Released in Arabic (1976) and English (1977), The Message serves as an introduction to early Islamic history.

The film was nominated for Best Original Score in the 50th Academy Awards, composed by Maurice Jarre, but lost the award to Star Wars (composed by John Williams).

The film follows Muhammad starting with Islam's beginnings in Mecca in which the first Muslims are persecuted for their beliefs, the exodus to Medina, and ending with the Muslims' triumphant return to Mecca.

A number of crucial events, such as the Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhud are depicted, and the majority of the story is told from the point of view of peripheral individuals such as Hamza ibn `Abd al-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle), Bilal and Zayd (two of the Muhammad's closest companions), and on the other side Abu Sufyan (the leader of Mecca) and his wife Hind bint Utbah (initially enemies of Islam who later become Muslims themselves).