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Rating:  - An American Muslim Classic
This film is perhaps the best known film on Islam in the Western world. As one of my teachers, Dr. Bilal Philips, has said many people became interested in Islam at the time of its theatrical release and started to investigate and ask questions. While from a purely technical standpoint there are some objectionable qualities to this film, for example musical soundtrack, exposure of women (meaning showing more than the face and hands), etc. However, this is best taken in stride seeing as how the scholars at Al-Azhar (the oldest and most prestiguous Islamic University in the world) reviewed this film and approved of it. It is one of the few examples of Islamic epics, the only other one which comes to mind being Lion of the Desert. The producer Mustapha alakkad is perhaps better known for his series of films Halloween. All in all, as a Muslim I felt it mete to have this film in my collection to provide an Islamically permissible for of relaxation to counter much of the perversion which passes for entertaiment in today's modern media. Lastly, if you are a believer in the message of Muhammad I challenge you to watch this film and not be touched (perhaps to the point of tears) at one point or another in this film. I pray that the peace of God be upon all who follow guidance; and may He guide us all, and rectify our affairs. Amen.
Rating:  - Good low budget film.
I enjoyed the film. It may be a little difficult to follow without knowing some basics of Islam.
Rating:  - The Real Message
After 25 years, this film is still the best if you want to understand the real Islam
Rating: - To me, it's a therapy
Watching the Arabic version of this movie is like a therapy for me. I wish I understood Arabic Language.
I hoped the Arabic version in this 30th Anniversary Edition had English subtitles, unfortunately it does not.
Rating: - Brilliant introduction to Islam's message and the life of the Prophet
I saw this movie when it was first released on Christmas day in the mid-70's. I own a copy of the video and will be buying the DVD before my video disintegrates! I have to disagree with a lot of the negative reviews posted here. Islam does not permit the portrayal of the face of the Prophet (the movie also chooses not to show the faces of Ali and Abu-Bakr, the first Imam/fourth Caliph and the first Caliph, respectively), so the person who compares this film to Harvey is demonstrating a complete lack of understanding about something that is of great importance to Muslims. I wish someone would make a film about Jesus that had the sense of reverence not to try to portray someone sent by God. I think the way this aspect is handled is one of the most intelligent things about the movie. Zaid and Hamzah are frequently viewpoint characters, and the viewer (as an artistic and religious choice) is left to intuit Muhammad's words. It must have been an incredible artistic challenge.
I agree some elements are omitted (eg, the Battle of the Trench). Akkad did not have the amount of time Peter Jackson had to present Lord of the Rings; to do a dramatic presentation in less than three hours, you have to leave something out. I am not a Muslim but object to the suggestions that this is a whitewashed job. Scholars like Martin Lings and Hassan Balyuzi present a picture quite consonant with this one. I love the way you feel the thrill of the early Muslims (who, like Christ's early followers, were drawn from the poor and meek) when someone appears with a freshly dictated surah of the Holy Qur'an, and the sense of tension when they know they must be very circumspect about the fact that they are even meeting. I love the depiction of Bilal chanting the first addhan. I love the emphasis on the message of peace and the brotherhood of man and on the spiritual discipline so central to this revelation. I'm in the USA, and I am appalled that for many of my countrymen, Islam is a religion that tells people to fly planes into public buildings. Islam's central message is not unlike that of Jesus. I agree a little historical reading (say the history section of Pickthall's The Meaning of the Glorious Koran) would not be misplaced, but I think for Westerners, this is an excellent introduction. It also gives some context for study of the Qur'an itself --- a tough read for any raised on the more linear text of a book like the Bible, but the true miracle of the Islamic revelation.
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