Garick Hagon 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

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the efforts by the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) to help the Solonians to begin their evolutionary process are resisted by the despotic Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth Skybase. Equally intent upon crushing a resistance movement, the Marshal pins a murder on rebel leader Ky (Garrick Hagan). Now a fugitive, Ky takes the Doctor's companion, Jo (Katy Manning), hostage and returns to Solos, where the poisonous atmosphere prevents the human crew members of the Skybase from effecting a rescue. But, remember, the Doctor isn't human. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 3" first aired on April 22, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have handed over the package of bio-readings that will enable the primitive inhabitants of the planet Solos to begin their evolutionary process. In so doing, the Doctor incurs the wrath of the Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth skybase. Determined to prevent the Solonions from declaring their independence, the Marshal forces the Doctor to work on a machine that will destroy Solos' poisonous atmosphere, thereby enabling the Skybase to launch an all-out invasion of the planet. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 5" first aired on May 6, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) are summoned to the 30th century, where they are ordered by the Time Lords to deliver a secret package to the planet Solos. The fact that the package contains some crucial bio-readings is but a prologue to the Doctor's latest assignment: To enable the primitive Solonians to begin their evolutionary process. But as can be gathered by the fact that there are more episodes to come, this will not be an easy task. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 1" first aired on April 8, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fact that The Last Gunfighter is a Canadian western is an oddity in itself. Gilding the lily is the fact that it's really an anti-western, exploding a lot of the mythology that sagebrush fans hold dear. Gunman Don Borisenko is hired by the townsfolk to mete out justice to a cruel land baron. Instead, Borisenko gets romantically involved with Tass Tory, the wife of a local farmer. When the smoke clears, the gunman has killed the rancher, and the farmer has killed the gunman. This bleak endeavor has also been released as Hired Gun and The Devil's Spawn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide