Drama on Mohammed poetry

A drama series based on the poetry of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence – described as an 'epic of courage, chivalry and love' – will be premiered by Al Arabiya during Ramadan.

The Last Cavalier will be shown on major Arabic channels and an English version will be distributed internationally.

Nasib Bitar, Al Arabiya's managing director, says the $3 million production is unparalleled in quality in the history of the region, and was shot in nine countries in the Arab world, Africa and Asia.

"We wanted to offer the regional and international viewers a bluechip production based on our extensive know-how in Middle East production, finance and distribution," he said.

The Last Cavalier was directed by the prominent Arab director Najdat Anzour. Shooting took place in the UAE, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco, South Africa, Maldives and China.

The epic tells the story of Sheima, niece of a Bedouin sheikh and famous for her beauty and poetry.

Sheima, played by Joelle Behlock – Miss Lebanon – captures the heart of her cousin Rabih who asks for her hand in marriage.

Sheima's verse contained hidden riddles that no one except Rabih could solve. But Sheima dislikes Rabih's arrogance and pride, so she writes a new poem with a riddle. The man who solves this riddle shall marry her.

A strange cavalier called Bashar, played by the Arab star Rashid Assaf, manages to solve the riddle and captures the heart of Sheima. It is then decided that Bashar can marry Sheima if he can get her sword.

Bashar sets off on a year's journey around the world in search of the sword, on the way having to deal with wild animals, warrior kings, primitive tribes and imprisonment.

The Last Cavalier honours the renowned Arab qualities of courage, honesty and chivalry, said Nasib Bitar. It brings to the screen a classic Arabian legend which is the essence of traditional culture but will appeal to audiences everywhere.

A cast of hundreds of Arab and international actors took part in the production in addition to stunt men, a horse trainer, pyrotechnics experts and aerial photography technicians around the world.