From the outset, Akkad insisted on filming two completely separate versions: one in English for international audiences and one in Arabic for the Arab and Muslim world. The same crew built the same sets in Morocco and later Libya. Once a scene had been established, the English-speaking cast would perform it, then the Arabic-speaking cast would step onto the same set and perform it again. Almost every role was double-cast, with two different actors playing the same character in two different languages. The single exception was André Morell, who appears as Abu Talib in both versions.
In accordance with traditional Islamic aniconism, neither version depicts the Prophet Muhammad or his immediate family (such as Ali ibn Abi Talib) on screen or audio. Akkad utilized innovative first-person camera angles and character reactions to indicate the Prophet's presence, a technique that preserved religious reverence while maintaining a compelling cinematic narrative. Why Watch with English Subtitles?
Director Moustapha Akkad understood that to reach a global audience, he needed both an international cast and an authentic regional cast. Therefore, he filmed every scene twice:
The Message (Ar-Risālah) , directed by Moustapha Akkad in 1976, is a groundbreaking epic that chronicles the birth of Islam. While the English version starring Anthony Quinn is more widely known in the West, the Arabic version is often hailed as the more authentic and culturally resonant portrayal of the life of Prophet Muhammad. Overview of the Arabic Version the message arabic version english subtitles
For over four decades, The Message (original Arabic title: Al-Risalah or الرسالة ) has stood as a cinematic landmark. Released in 1976 and directed by the legendary Moustapha Akkad, this epic historical drama chronicles the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the birth of Islam. However, for non-Arabic speakers and even for Arabic-speaking millennials, a specific way of watching the film has risen to prominence as the definitive experience:
Warning: Avoid cheap "budget" DVDs sold online. They often contain the English audio with burned-in Spanish subtitles mislabeled as English.
The and filming bans in Saudi Arabia and Morocco From the outset, Akkad insisted on filming two
Akkad's son Malek, who later oversaw a meticulous 4K restoration of both versions, confirmed that his father always intended the Arabic film for the region that knew the story best. "His intentions were so pure and noble," Malek recalled. "He said, 'I want to show the world why this is the basis of our culture'".
Many viewers prefer the Arabic version as it uses the original language of the historical events.
Cinematic Analysis and Cultural Significance of the 1976 Film The Message Director: Moustapha Akkad Release Year: 1976 Language: Arabic (Version discussed) Almost every role was double-cast, with two different
To understand the importance of the , one must first understand the film’s unique production history. To reach a global audience, Moustapha Akkad did something extraordinary: he shot the film twice simultaneously.
While an English version starring Anthony Quinn is widely known in the West, Akkad shot a separate Arabic version titled Al-Risalah
While the crew remained the same, the principal cast differed between the two versions to cater to their respective audiences: Arabic Version ( Ar-Risalah ) English Version ( The Message ) Abdallah Gheith Anthony Quinn Hind Muna Wassef Irene Papas Abu Sufyan Hamdy Gheith Michael Ansara Bilal Ali Ahmed Salem Johnny Sekka 🌍 Why Watch the Arabic Version?