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The Message (Arabic title: الرسالة [Al Rissalah] in English: The Message) is a film by Moustapha Akkad released in 1976.
Describing the life of the prophet of Islam Muhammad, this film has the particularity of having been shot simultaneously in English and Arabic, with different main actors depending on the versions. In accordance with the aniconism of the Islamic tradition, the prophet is never represented. His presence is "evoked", or "suggested" to the spectator, by the process of the subjective camera. The same treatment is applied to Ali ibn Abi Talib who "appears" in the film.
For Moustapha Akkad, the completion of The Message was the realization of a ten-year-old dream. However, it was not until 1969, when the writer H.A.L. Craig began working on the screenplay, that the dream seemed to want to become reality. It was not only the difficulties of shooting on the same scale as a DeMille or a Griffith, with a cast of thousands, that made The Message a unique production.
There was also the fact that Akkad wanted to make two versions, one English, one Arabic, with two different casts. The script also posed a major problem. Akkad knew that without the script he would never be able to obtain the necessary financing.
To this end, he opened offices for Filmco International Productions in Los Angeles and Beirut and Craig set to work. Akkad then spent months crisscrossing the world by plane, taking part in numerous meetings in the hope of raising money. Finally, through Arab International Productions, he obtained the support of a tripartite group from Libya, Morocco and Kuwait.
Taking Craig's first text with him, Akkad went to Cairo with the writer, rented a floor in a hotel and, together with three Muslim scholars from Al Azzar University in Cairo, set to work. Many disputes arose that seemed to have no solution. But Craig impressed the scholars by quoting chapters and verses from the Quran (even giving the page). Finally, after long weeks of exhausting work, each page was reread and approved.
Once the script was approved, Akkad began to assemble his production team and cast the major roles. Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas were hired for the leading roles in the English version and at the same time, Akkad was choosing the best artists from Muslim countries for the Arabic version.
At the same time, Akkad was hiring an impressive team for the production. Cinematographer Jack Hildyard had won an Oscar for his work on "The Bridge on the River Kwai," while his brother David, the sound designer, had won Academy Awards for "Cabaret" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Production designer Tambi Larsen had won an Oscar for her work on "The Rose Tattoo," and costume designer Phyllis Dalton had won for her work on "Doctor Zhivago" and "Lawrence of Arabia." The rest of the production team had long film experience behind them. Akkad's associate producer, Harold Buck, had worked on such major films as "The Guns of Navarone" and "Young Winston," while makeup artist Neville Smallwood had worked on "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Nicholas and Alexander," and "Cromwell." As for the riding master, Tommy Reeves, he had done wonderful work for "Lawrence of Arabia", "Richard III" and "Khartoum". As for the production coordinator, Andrew Marton, he is the same one who directed the fantastic chariot race in "Ben Hur".
"I made this film because it represents a personal challenge. In addition, its production is interesting, there is a story, a plot, a dramatic force. As a Muslim living in the West, I consider it my duty to tell the truth about Islam. It is a religion that has 700 million followers, and yet, we know so little about it that it is surprising. I thought that telling this story could create a bridge with the West." Moustapha Akkad.
Technical sheet
The Message / Al Rissalah / الرسالة
UK / USA / Libya / Kuwait - 1976
Prod. : Filmco International
Eastmancolor / Panavision / 180' English version
210' Arabic version
Director and producer : Moustapha AKKAD
Scenario : H.A.L. CRAIG, Toufik HAKIM, Abdel Hamid Djouda NAHAR, Abderahmane CHERKAOUI & Mohame Ali MAHER.
Images : Jack HILDYARD B.S.C
Assoc. producer : Harold BUCK, Mohammad SANOUSI
Production engineer : Geoffrey HELMAN
Set architects : Tambi LARSEN, Maurice FOWLER
Costumes : Phyllis DALTON
Production coordinator : Andrew MARTON
1st assistant director: Gus AGOSTI
Assistant producer: June BORDCOSH
Set designers: Norman DORME, Abdelmouneim CHUKRI
Editor: John BLOOM
Music comp. and dir. by: Maurice Jarre (performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).
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