In 2026, we have a lot of movies with fancy CGI and superheroes, but some old movies still stand out because they are powerful, epic, and tell a story that changed the world. The Message (1976) is one of those movies. It is a massive historical drama about the birth of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
If you are a middle schooler or just someone who wants to understand world history better, this movie is like a giant, colorful time machine to the year 610 AD.
The Big Challenge: How do you make a movie about a person you can't show?
This is the most famous thing about The Message. In Islamic tradition, it is considered disrespectful to show the face of the Prophet Muhammad or even have an actor play him.
Imagine trying to make a movie about Iron Man but you can never see Iron Man!
Director Moustapha Akkad was a genius. He figured out a way to make the movie where you feel the Prophet’s presence even though you never see or hear him.
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Point of View (POV): Sometimes the camera is the Prophet. When people talk to him, they look right into the lens.
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The Music: The score by Maurice Jarre (who won an Oscar for this!) uses beautiful, sweeping music to signal when something important is happening.
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The Companions: The story is told through the people around him, like his uncle Hamza (played by the legendary Anthony Quinn).
The Story: From a Cave to a New World
The movie starts in Mecca, a rich trading city. At that time, people worshipped hundreds of different idols (statues of gods). Muhammad was a merchant who went to a cave to pray and think. There, he received a message from the Angel Gabriel: There is only one God.
The rich leaders of Mecca hated this message because it said everyone is equal—slaves and masters, rich and poor. This threatened their money and power.
Key Moments in the Film:
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The Persecution: You see the first Muslims being treated very badly. A famous scene shows Bilal, an African slave, being tortured under a heavy rock because he refuses to give up his faith. He just keeps saying, "One... One..." (referring to one God).
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The Migration (Hijra): To stay safe, the Muslims leave their homes and secretely travel to Medina. This move was so important that the Islamic calendar starts from this year.
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The Battles: The movie has huge, old-school battle scenes like the Battle of Badr. These aren't like modern action movies; they feel real, dusty, and intense.
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The Return to Mecca: The movie ends with the Muslims returning to Mecca in peace, showing mercy to the people who once hurt them.
Why It’s a "Must-Watch" in 2026
Even 50 years after it was made, The Message is still the #1 movie about Islamic history.
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It’s Honest: It shows the struggle, the pain, and the bravery it took for a small group of people to stand up for what they believed in.
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It’s a Bridge: Director Akkad made two versions—one in English and one in Arabic—at the same time! He wanted people in the West to understand that Islam is a religion of peace and equality.
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The Acting: Anthony Quinn is incredible. He’s tough but kind, and he makes you feel the weight of the history they were making.
The "Essence" Review for Gen Z
If you like "origin stories," this is the ultimate one. It’s long (almost 3 hours), but it’s worth it because it doesn’t treat you like a kid. It shows that freedom of speech and belief were things people had to fight for even 1,400 years ago.
It’s an epic that feels like Lord of the Rings mixed with a history textbook, but way more emotional.
Final Score: 9.5/10 đźš©
