The Message
In the 7th century, Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him, is visited by Angel Gabriel who urges him to lead the people of Mecca and worship God. But they're exiled in Medina before returning to Mecca to take up arms against their oppressors and liberate their city in the name of God (Allah).
Working with a limited budget of $10.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $15.0M in global revenue (+50% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Message (1976) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Moustapha Akkad's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mecca in 610 AD: a society dominated by tribal conflicts, idol worship, and social inequality. Hamza and other Quraysh leaders live in a world of wealth and power built on exploitation.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 21 minutes when The Prophet's message gains followers, triggering violent persecution by the Quraysh. Bilal is tortured in the sun, and believers are brutally oppressed, forcing a crisis of faith and survival.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 44 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Hamza makes his decisive choice to convert to Islam publicly, accepting persecution and breaking with the Quraysh establishment. This active commitment marks the point of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 89 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The Muslims achieve victory at the Battle of Badr against overwhelming odds. This false victory makes them believe they can defeat the Quraysh, but raises the stakes and ensures retaliation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 132 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Hamza is killed at Uhud, and his body is mutilated by Hind. The literal death of the hero and the near-destruction of the Muslim army. The darkest moment where all seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 142 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The revelation and renewed conviction that they must persevere. The community synthesizes their faith with strategic wisdom, preparing for the final confrontation with Mecca through patience and strength., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Message's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Message against these established plot points, we can identify how Moustapha Akkad utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Message within the biography genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mecca in 610 AD: a society dominated by tribal conflicts, idol worship, and social inequality. Hamza and other Quraysh leaders live in a world of wealth and power built on exploitation.
Theme
A elder states that justice and mercy must prevail over tribal pride and oppression, foreshadowing the central question: can faith transform a society built on inequality?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Meccan society: the persecution of early Muslims, the power structure of the Quraysh, the social hierarchies, and the introduction of key characters like Hamza, Bilal, and Abu Sufyan.
Disruption
The Prophet's message gains followers, triggering violent persecution by the Quraysh. Bilal is tortured in the sun, and believers are brutally oppressed, forcing a crisis of faith and survival.
Resistance
The early Muslims debate their options: stay and endure persecution, or flee. The migration to Abyssinia offers temporary refuge. Hamza wrestles with his allegiance between family and the new faith.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hamza makes his decisive choice to convert to Islam publicly, accepting persecution and breaking with the Quraysh establishment. This active commitment marks the point of no return.
Mirror World
The relationship between the converts and the Prophet (represented through POV) deepens. The community in Medina begins to form, showing what brotherhood and equality can look like.
Premise
The Hijra to Medina and the establishment of the first Islamic community. The promise of the premise: building a society based on the new faith, navigating alliances, and defending against Meccan aggression.
Midpoint
The Muslims achieve victory at the Battle of Badr against overwhelming odds. This false victory makes them believe they can defeat the Quraysh, but raises the stakes and ensures retaliation.
Opposition
The Quraysh regroup and strike back. The Battle of Uhud results in significant Muslim losses. Internal divisions emerge, and the community faces its greatest tests from external enemies and internal doubts.
Collapse
Hamza is killed at Uhud, and his body is mutilated by Hind. The literal death of the hero and the near-destruction of the Muslim army. The darkest moment where all seems lost.
Crisis
The Muslim community mourns and processes the devastating losses. They face the question of whether to continue fighting or submit. The emotional low point before finding renewed purpose.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The revelation and renewed conviction that they must persevere. The community synthesizes their faith with strategic wisdom, preparing for the final confrontation with Mecca through patience and strength.
Synthesis
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the return to Mecca, and the peaceful conquest. The Muslims demonstrate mercy to their former oppressors, fulfilling the thematic promise of justice tempered with compassion.
Transformation
The idols are destroyed in the Kaaba, and Mecca becomes a city of equality and worship. The transformation from tribal warfare to unified faith community is complete. Peace replaces persecution.