Michael Godfrey Movies

This handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who, in accordance with the tenants of Islam, is never seen or heard (any physical depiction of the prophet is considered a heinous sin within the faith). In Mecca in the 7th century, Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel, who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca, Mohammed and his followers struggle to worship God as they see fit, which eventually leads them into exile in Medina. However, one day God gives Mohammed a message to return to Mecca and take up arms against their oppressors -- while recruiting as many followers as they can along the way. With the help of his uncle, a brave warrior named Hamza (Anthony Quinn), Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message (originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed, Messenger of God) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film, but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole. This resulted in angry protests by Muslim extremists, until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The advisors butted heads with Akkad, and they quit the production, which led the Moroccan government to withdraw their permission to film in their country. In time, Akkad ended up shooting on location in Libya under the sponsorship of Muammar Qaddafi, which presented a whole new set of political and practical problems for the filmmakers. Finally, when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S., another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film, threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved without explosion or injuries, though the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy. The Message was shot in two versions, one in English and one in Arabic (entitled Al-Ris-Alah), with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Overture was the pilot episode for the Anglo-American TV series The Persuaders. Tony Curtis and Roger Moore star as American Danny Wilde and Britisher Lord Brett Sinclair. Danny's a self-made millionaire; Lord Brett's vast wealth is inherited. Both share common interests: a taste for adventure, and a fondness for beautiful women. While attending a party, they are tricked into becoming espionage agents by retired Judge Fulton (Laurence Naismith). Once they've had their "shakedown" adventure, they're off to the Mediterranean for another escapade. The Persuaders was first telecast in the US from September 18, 1971 to June 14, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Doctor Who inaugurated its fourth season on September 10, 1966, with episode one of the four-part "The Smugglers." The TARDIS materializes in a cave off a seacoast, but the Doctor (William Hartnell) doesn't know where he is or what year he's in. Soon, however, the Doctor and his companions Ben (Michael Craze) and Polly (Anneke Wills) learn they've arrived in 17th century Cornwall -- smack in the middle of a hotbed of intrigue involving smugglers, pirates, and a mysterious murder. Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode One" no longer exists in the BBC archives -- nor, for that matter, do episodes two, three, or four, save for a few brief fragments (including, in the case of this episode, the murder that sets the plot in motion). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Smugglers," the buried treasure that had set the plot in motion is finally discovered. In addition, the Doctor (William Hartnell) reveals a secret that will profoundly affect himself, his companions, and two sets of villains (one more villainous than the other, of course). Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode 4" originally aired on October 1, 1966. Except for a brief "murder" sequence that was filed for preview purposes, this episode no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A British movie originally entitled Licensed to Kill, this is a satire on the James Bond brand of spy which has a bumbling agent attempting to foil the Russian acquisition of a Swedish anti-gravity formula. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

In this British espionage drama, a murderer hopes to escape his fateful appointment on death row by identifying the leaders of a spy ring. Unfortunately, a detective has already figured it out before he talks and the killer hangs for his crime. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide