Waxing Poetically: Addressing Culture with a Twist of Poetry

In 1976, as it is today, the idea of making a biographical film about the prophet of Islam Mohammad was a tricky proposition. That’s mainly because the film’s protagonist is not to be shown by Islamic law as a matter of respect. Yet, somehow, The Message, (originally titled Mohammad, Messenger of God, and later retitled for its U.S. release in 1977) completes its mission brilliantly as it elaborates the story of early Islamic history in the ancient cities of Medina and Mecca through the remarkable direction of Moustapha Akkad.

The Message takes the viewer from the first of several solitary moments between God and the Prophet in the sacred cave where it is believed Mohammad received the final word of God via the angel Gabriel in 600 A.D. (B.C.E.) at the age of 40 and whose final teaching was on his death bed 23 years later. The film follows the persecution of the new Muslim followers by the leaders of the day through the deserts during the religion’s the early years. Mohammad is represented by first-person camera point of view and his words are repeated or acquiesced to rather than heard. The film’s star, so to speak is Anthony Quinn who plays Mohammad’s uncle Hamza. He is the film’s main on-screen personality preaching God’s word on his nephew’s behalf and fighting (defensively) for believers’ right to practice the faith in what is a pagan society.

Throughout the film, the followers proclaim the greatness of God, equality of all people, (the Koran states a woman to be different but equal to a man and a slave equal to his master) and to be accepting of “the People of the Book” (Jews and Christians) because theirs too is the word of God and that non-believers must not be coerced into belief but rather brought to that belief by their own search. These themes are anything if not common among most every religion: charity, kindness, forgiveness, humility, education, respect and brotherhood and love of one’s neighbor for a true believer indeed “loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

In closing I’d like to point out the themes in The Message are nothing if not the very antithesis of terrorism! Islamic holy war means fighting for the common good, not bombing or crashing planes into buildings! Furthermore, Muslims believe in many of the same concepts as Christians, i.e. the virgin birth of Jesus, all the miracles of Jesus, the teachings of Jesus and all the prophets of the Bible. Where they differ is in the concept of Jesus as a divine being and a human at the same time (which many of us might understand because it is a bit hard to grasp even for Christians) and their observance of a total prohibition of alcohol and pork for reasons having mainly to do with cleanliness and sobriety… which are not bad reasons if you ask me. So, you see, Islam is a peaceful, loving, religion, Folks. If you know any haters, please educate them…. This film is a great place to start! I highly recommend it!

Until we meet again…. Keep it waxin’!

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