A MELISSA FRANCIS & SAILFISH PRODUCTIONS DOCUMENTARY

THE PROPHET

IN THEATERS 2026

“BRAVEHEART… FOR MODERN TIMES.”

A MIGHTY WARRIOR BATTLES TO SAVE HIS COUNTRY FROM AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT — ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE TRUE DANGER LIES WITHIN.

Black and white badge with laurel wreaths around the text: The Prophet Documentary Award "Official Selection Boca International Jewish Film Festival 2026"
Black award badge with white laurel leaves and text that reads: The Prophet documentary award "Official Selection Director's Cut International Film Festival 2026".
Black background with white laurel branches and text that reads: The Prophet documentary award "Official Selection Toronto/Los Angeles Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival 2026."

A Story For Our Times

Official poster for The Prophet, a 2026 documentary by Melissa Francis about Col.Erez Eshel and the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

On October 6, Erez Eshel warns his son: “Stay alert—something big is coming.” At 6:30 a.m. the next day, the call comes. He grabs his uniform and heads to Gaza, fighting alongside his sons—saving lives and killing terrorists.

For two years, Eshel is consumed by war, determined to protect his people and bring everyone home. Then, a stunning reversal: he is accused by name of genocide by the International Criminal Court and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Intercut with the 1990 documentary To Be an Officer, where a young Eshel appears as an idealistic trainee, The Prophet traces his transformation from hopeful believer to battle-hardened soldier, mentor, and teacher. Blending intimate access with political urgency and spiritual depth, the film confronts a timeless question: What is the price of freedom—and who is willing to pay it?

THE PROPHET, written and directed by award-winning journalist and best-selling author Melissa Francis, will open in theaters across America 2026.

THE PROPHET

Find a Screening

WATCH THE TRAILER

"Her powerful and gripping documentary 'The Prophet' is already playing to sold out theaters in the US... I watched a pre-release screening of the film and was riveted by the story of an already known, respected and beloved hero in the IDF who after October 7, struggled with all he thought he knew and understood about the struggles of the Jewish people and the State of Israel."

- Gov. Mike Huckabee

BIOS

Col. Erez Eshel Documentary founder of Ein-Prat Academies, subject of the documentary The Prophet 
Erez Eshel is the founder of Ein Prat, Israel’s most influential pre-military leadership education network. With more than 100 locations worldwide, Eshel is shaping the next generation of mission-driven leaders in Israel and beyond. He is also the Founder and Chairman of One Heart, an international civilian aid force mobilizing rapid humanitarian response and community support initiatives in times of crisis. As a Colonel in the IDF, he designs advanced leadership and strategy curricula for Brigadier Generals and is the former Vice Deputy Director, Israel Ministry of Education.

EREZ ESHEL

Melissa Francis writer and director of The Prophet Documentary 
Melissa Francis spent three decades chasing breaking news around the globe before settling into the anchor chair, first at CNBC and MSNBC, then at FOX & Fox Business Channel, penning two award winning books along the way. Before embarking on her journalism career, Melissa earned her BA from Harvard with a concentration in Economics, though she started life as a child actor in Hollywood, and is best known as an actress for her role as Michael Landon’s daughter, Cassandra Cooper Ingalls, on Little House on the Prairie. 

MELISSA FRANCIS

PHOTO GALLERY

  • Amir Sheinbaum the Director of Photography for The Prophet Documentary filming in Israel.
  • Col. Erez Eshel of the IDF in full combat gear with a fellow soldier Mati Shoshani.
  • View of the Western Wall Plaza and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, with people praying and visitors in the foreground.
  • Director Melissa Francis with Col. Erez Eshel overlooking the Dead Sea from Mount Aharon during production of The Prophet.
  • Filming of The Prophet Documentary set in the Middle East, directed by Melissa Francis.
  • Documentary footage of Israeli Reserve soldiers during the Gaza War, from The Prophet Documentary.
  • Melissa Francis and Col. Erez Eshel in an interview and meeting setting during filming of The Prophet Documentary.
  • The Prophet documentary crew filming on location in the Jordan Valley with director Melissa Francis and Col. Erez Eshel.
  • Four IDF soldiers in combat gear, wearing helmets with night vision mounts, standing in a narrow alleyway with dilapidated buildings on one side and a high wall on the other. Documentary footage from The Prophet Documentary by Melissa Francis.
  • Col. Erez Eshel the subject of The Prophet documentary standing on Mount Aharon with an automatic rifle.
  • Melissa Francis in the Gaza Strip while filming for her documentary The Prophet.
  • Col. Erez Eshel in action while filming The Prophet documentary.
  • Director Melissa Francis embedded with Israeli Troops while shooting her documentary The Prophet.
  • Col. Erez Eshel with cinematographer Amir Sheinbaum above the Dead Sea near Mount Aharon.
  • Melissa Francis and Amir Sheinbaum in the Gaza envelope during filming of The Prophet documentary.
  • Amir Sheinbaum filming Erez Eshel on location in the Gaza envelope.
  • Col. Erez Eshel, subject of The Prophet documentary in the Jordan Valley.
  • Writer and Director Melissa Francis and Col. Erez Eshel while filming for The Prophet documentary.
  • Col. Erez Eshel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

CREDITS

Written & Directed By Melissa Francis

Starring Erez Eshel

Cinematography Amir Sheinbaum

Original Music and Mix Roman Zeitlen

Edit Matt Shapiro

Post Production The Post Crew, Michelle Bellaff

Executive Producer Melissa Francis, Wray Thorn, Joel Lubeck

Your Questions, Answered.

  • "The Prophet" is a 2026 feature documentary following Col. Erez Eshel, a reserve colonel in the Israel Defense Forces, from the morning of October 7, 2023, through two years of combat in Gaza, to the moment he was accused of genocide by the International Criminal Court and the U.S. House of Representatives. The film is written and directed by Melissa Francis and produced by Sailfish Productions.

  • Erez Eshel is the founder of Ein-Prat Academies for Leadership, Israel's largest pre-military education network, and the founder and chairman of One Heart, an international civilian aid organization. He served as a Colonel in the Israel Defense Forces Reserve and is recognized as one of Israel's foremost authorities on philosophy, ethics, and political science. He is the subject of "The Prophet."

  • "The Prophet" was written and directed by Melissa Francis, an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Harvard graduate who previously anchored at Fox News, CNBC, and MSNBC. She is the CEO and founder of Sailfish Productions.

  • "The Prophet" is scheduled for a 2026 theatrical release. For specific screening dates and locations, visit the Screenings and Events page at theprophetdocumentary.com.

  • Streaming availability has not yet been announced. Sign up for updates at theprophetdocumentary.com to be notified when the film becomes available to watch at home.

  • "To Be an Officer" is an archival documentary in which a young Erez Eshel appears as an idealistic officer trainee. "The Prophet" intercuts that footage with his present-day story, showing his transformation over more than three decades of service, belief, and sacrifice.