Mahomet

Alternative title

Mohammed

Synopsis

A documentary series of five 52-minute episodes on the genesis of Islam, the life of the Prophet, the Koran, the Sunna, the Haddith, the emergence of the commentaries and Muslim rights, but also the Arabs, their language and civilization. The series has been divided into five episodes to highlight the different stages of the rise of the third and last of the great monotheistic religions, which sees itself as the perfection of the other two. The aim is to combine the educational and the aesthetic and to describe the historical facts and founding principles of Islam. Mahomet’s biography is told through interviews with a number of Muslims, including imams, whilst academics from the Arab world and beyond shed further light on various sections of the narrative. With the aid of calligraphic manuscripts, Ottoman illuminations and sequences filmed in mosques and Koran schools, the film demonstrates the vast importance of the prophet whose life-story is inextricably woven into the Koran.

The sixth section of the DVD was not in the original television series, but contains narratives from Islam.

Language

French (Standard)

Country

Canada; France

Year of release

2003

Year of production

2001

Notes

On 2 DVDs.

Subjects

History; Religious studies

Keywords

ancient civilisations; Arabia; Islam; storytelling; Mohammed

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0

Price

£27.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

290 minutes

Year

2003

Sections

Title

Towards the prophecy

Synopsis

This first episode gives the geographical/political/religious background of the Arabian peninsula in the 6th century, at the time of Mohammed’s birth, using research from historians and anthroplogists. The presence and influence of Christianity and Judaism in Arabia and on the young Mohammed are discussed.

Duration

57 mins

Title

Revelation, The

Synopsis

Mohammed’s revelation in 610 which had such a profound effect on him and all the inhabitants of Mecca. Also discusses the effect of the Jewish and Christian traditions on Mohammed.

Duration

57 mins

Title

Médine and the law

Synopsis

Yatrib, which later became known as Medina, the city of the prohphet, was a stopping place for caravans on their way to Persia. It was a violent place troubled by disputes between different parts of the community, but Mohammed established civic rule and social organisation, founded on religion. Mohammed became a political leader and a military figure, which sat uneasily with his revelation and relationships with the Jews.

Duration

57 mins

Title

Strength and Mecca

Synopsis

From 628 onwards Mohammed consolidated and extended the territories converted to Islam. He agreed a peace pact with Mecca and conquered Kaibar, a Jewish city to the north. For the first time he confronted the Sassanids of Persia, a prelude to conquests outside the Arabian peninsula. The implications of this for demonstrating the power of God in supporting his believers and the political ambitions of Mohammed are discussed.

Duration

57 mins

Title

Koran, The

Synopsis

23 years after his first revelation Mohammed announced to the faithful the end of prophecy and his imminent death. This episode raises uncertainties about the transcription of the revelations. According to tradition,k the third Caliph Othman, confronted by the death of companions of the prophet, gathered together the sacred words they had memorised and various transcriptions. There are strong divergences between the traditionalists for whom the Koran is a divine work that was dictated rather than written, and those who favour historical analysis and the writing of the text.

Duration

57 mins

Title

Hadiths and other traditional Muslum narratives

Synopsis

Eleven narratives and hadiths, related by ordinary men and women as part of their daily life, illustrate the strong oral tradition of Islam.

Duration

57 mins

Production Company

Name

ARTE France

Email

http://www.arteboutique.com/inputContact.action

Web

http://boutique.arte.tv/ External site opens in new window

Address

STACI
ARTE Boutique 1610
B.P. 59124 - 95074 Cergy Pontoise
France

Notes

An extensive range of programmes broadcast on the French Arte channel, relating to art and culture. Most are only available in French, but some have English audio or subtitles. Sale on Region 2 PAL DVD.

Name

Ciné Qua Non

Distributor

Name

Compagnie des Phares et Balises

Name

Quantum Leap

Notes

The company ceased trading in 2018. It was previously a distributor and online retailer specialising in non-fiction DVD titles on a wide variety of subjects, particularly in the areas of music instruction, music performance, sport instruction, and health. Some titles also available through retail outlets.

 

Available from retail outlets