The Terrorist (1994)
A landmark Egyptian drama that boldly confronts religious extremism through one militant's transformative encounter with a compassionate, moderate Muslim family.
The Terrorist - Movie Information
- Original Title: الإرهابي
- Release Year: 1994
- Directed by: Nader Galal
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 22m
- Original Language: Arabic
- Spoken Languages: Arabic
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 13, 1994 (Egypt)
- Alternative Titles: Al Irhabi (EG)
- Production Countries: Egypt
The Terrorist - Plot
Ali Abd-El-Zaher is a member of an Islamic radical group which has been launching attacks against the government and the society under the orders of the spiritual leader Brother Saif. Ali manages to assasinate an officer, but as he escapes from the authorities he gets hit by a car driven by Sewsan, the daughter of a respected Muslim family living in the Maadi district. Sewsan's father who is a surgeon and his family take care of the injured terrorist who then tries to conceal the truth about his personality, such as his dislike of music, unveiled women and Western life styles.
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The Terrorist - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nader Galal
Main Cast
- Adel Emam
- Sherine
- Mohamed El Dafrawi
- Mustafa Metwalli
- Ahmad Rateb
- Said Tarabeek
- Madiha Yousri
- Magda Zaki
- Salah Zulfikar
- Ibrahim Yousri
Writers
- Lenin EL Ramly
The Terrorist - FAQs
What is The Terrorist (1994) about?
The Terrorist follows Ali, a member of a violent Islamic extremist cell, who is accidentally struck by a car while fleeing police after an assassination. Taken in by a warm, moderate Muslim family, he slowly confronts the contradictions between his radical ideology and the humane, everyday world around him.
Who are the main actors in The Terrorist?
Adel Emam leads the cast as Ali, the conflicted militant, alongside Sherine as Sawsan, the young woman whose family shelters him. The ensemble also includes Salah Zulfikar, Madiha Yousri, Mohamed El Dafrawi, Ahmad Rateb, Mustafa Metwalli, and Said Tarabeek.
Who directed The Terrorist (1994)?
The Terrorist was directed by Nader Galal, one of Egypt's most respected filmmakers. The film is widely regarded as one of his most significant works, praised for tackling the sensitive and urgent subject of religious extremism with nuance and dramatic power.
Does The Terrorist have a message about extremism?
Absolutely. The film is a pointed critique of radical ideology, showing how extremism distorts genuine faith. By immersing Ali in a devout yet open-minded family, the story argues that authentic Islam is rooted in compassion and coexistence — a direct counter-narrative to the violence preached by his cell's spiritual leader.
When was The Terrorist released?
The Terrorist was released in Egypt on March 13, 1994. It arrived at a particularly charged moment in Egyptian society, when the country was grappling with a wave of Islamist militant violence, which gave the film immediate cultural and political resonance.
How was The Terrorist received by critics and audiences?
The film was a major critical and commercial success in Egypt and across the Arab world. It sparked widespread debate for its bold portrayal of religious extremism. Adel Emam's performance was widely celebrated, and the film is still considered a landmark of Egyptian cinema for its courage and dramatic depth.
What are films similar to The Terrorist?
If The Terrorist resonated with you, you might enjoy The Attack (2012), Layla M. (2016), and Young Ahmed (2019), all of which explore radicalization with psychological depth. Dil Se.. (1998) and Flight 93 (2006) also examine terrorism from compelling human angles.
Who wrote the screenplay for The Terrorist?
The screenplay was written by Lenin El Ramly, a celebrated Egyptian playwright and screenwriter known for his sharp, socially engaged writing. His script gives the film its intellectual backbone, weaving ideological debate into a deeply human story without ever losing dramatic momentum.
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