Depictions of Muhammad in film
Encyclopedia
Up to today two English films have been produced about Muhammad
, the Islamic Prophet.
cinema. There are two versions of the movie, an English one and an Arab one. The Arab version had also its premiere in a London cinema, Curzon, on August 19, 1976. Both versions were screened till September 29. So the English version was shown for nine weeks, the Arab version for six weeks.
When director Mustafa Akkad (1935-2005) was shooting the film, he made use of an American cast and an Egyptian cast. In the English version Anthony Quinn
played Hamza, Michael Ansara Muhammad's principal opponent Abu Sufyan, and Irene Papas Abu Sufyan's wife Hind. In the Arab version these roles were played by Egyptian actors. However, in a number of overall shots, in which a large group is acting, such as the Battle of Badr
, it can be heard that the scene is shot only once, as the actors shout "Allahu Akbar", whereas in other similar scenes the director opted for "God is great".
Although the movie is about Muhammed, the director decided to use a very special manner of shooting, as he is not shown, for in Islam it is not permitted to make images of the prophet. Therefore he frequently changed the position of the camera on the moment Muhammad would be brought into vision. Furthermore the audience sees large parts of the film through the eyes of the prophet.
"The Message" became very popular, not the least in the circles of Muslims, for example in Africa, and is also shown frequently in London.
" is an animation film produced by Badr International according to the same principles as "The Message". Its director is Richard Rich
. The movie was released in 2004 and it was screened in a limited number of movie-theatres in the United States and the United Kingdom. The film focuses on the early period of Islam. Al Azhar university give permission to see this film.
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, the Islamic Prophet.
The Message
The film was released on January 1, 1976 and on July 29 of the same year it had its premiere in "Plaza", a LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
cinema. There are two versions of the movie, an English one and an Arab one. The Arab version had also its premiere in a London cinema, Curzon, on August 19, 1976. Both versions were screened till September 29. So the English version was shown for nine weeks, the Arab version for six weeks.
When director Mustafa Akkad (1935-2005) was shooting the film, he made use of an American cast and an Egyptian cast. In the English version Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
played Hamza, Michael Ansara Muhammad's principal opponent Abu Sufyan, and Irene Papas Abu Sufyan's wife Hind. In the Arab version these roles were played by Egyptian actors. However, in a number of overall shots, in which a large group is acting, such as the Battle of Badr
Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr , fought Saturday, March 13, 624 AD in the Hejaz region of western Arabia , was a key battle in the early days of Islam and a turning point in Muhammad's struggle with his opponents among the Quraish in Mecca...
, it can be heard that the scene is shot only once, as the actors shout "Allahu Akbar", whereas in other similar scenes the director opted for "God is great".
Although the movie is about Muhammed, the director decided to use a very special manner of shooting, as he is not shown, for in Islam it is not permitted to make images of the prophet. Therefore he frequently changed the position of the camera on the moment Muhammad would be brought into vision. Furthermore the audience sees large parts of the film through the eyes of the prophet.
"The Message" became very popular, not the least in the circles of Muslims, for example in Africa, and is also shown frequently in London.
Muhammad: The Last Prophet
"Muhammad: The Last ProphetMuhammad: The Last Prophet
Muhammad: The Last Prophet is an animated movie produced by Badr International and directed by Richard Rich. The movie was released in limited cinemas in the United States and the United Kingdom. The movie focuses on the early days of Islam and Muhammad....
" is an animation film produced by Badr International according to the same principles as "The Message". Its director is Richard Rich
Richard Rich (director)
Richard Rich is an American film director, producer and writer known for his work in animation. He is president of Crest Animation Productions. Unlike most animation directors Rich has never worked as animator on a film....
. The movie was released in 2004 and it was screened in a limited number of movie-theatres in the United States and the United Kingdom. The film focuses on the early period of Islam. Al Azhar university give permission to see this film.
Documentaries
Up to today two documentaries are produced about Muhammad, the first one being "Islam: Empire of Faith" (2000) and the second one being "Muhammad, Legacy of a Prophet" (2002).Sources
- Freek L. Bakker, 'The Image of Muhammad in THE MESSAGE, the First and Only Feature Film about the Prophet of Islam', Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations 17/1 (2006), p. 77-92.