Product Details

• Actors: Robin Williams, Oprah Winfrey
• Directors: Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern
• Writers: Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern, Elizabeth Massie
• Producers: Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: First Look Pictures
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2006
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CDSS18
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,433 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Emmanuel's Gift" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, Emmanuel's Gift tells the story of a disabled orphan in Ghana, West Africa, whose father abandoned him, village dismissed him, and country thought him better off dead. This is the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who had nothing, but gave everything--and changed a nation forever.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Emmanuel is not disabled. He redefines the meaning. February 10, 2006

By John H. Sexton

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah shows us in this film what it means to confront fear, obstacles, and challenges, and overcome. This man, in spite of being born without one full leg, being abandoned by his father, and cast aside in a country where the disabled are shunned and ignored, decided on one course of action. And that was to become the best he could at whatever God put in front of him. He redefines what it means to be disabled and let things get in the way of becoming the person you want to be. Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern have given us a lovely and inspiring portrait of a unique man. All of us so blessed with opportunities and unparalleled blessings would do well to watch, learn, and be humbled. The Free Wheelchair distribution scene Emmanuel organized for the people in his own home town is some of the most disturbing and touching video you can watch. Emmanuel long ago stopped thinking of himself. His heart is so outwardly focused that his example can only make us better people ourselves.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a gift from ghana January 24, 2007

By Daniel B. Clendenin

Format:DVD

watched this film because the DVD blurb by Oprah Winfrey (who narrates a good portion of the film) encourages "every parent to take their children to see this movie." And how many films have you watched that are set in Ghana?! Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was born with a deformed leg and suffered all the disadvantages and humiliations you would expect in a third world country. His father deserted the family, then his mother died, but through perseverance of body, mind, and spirit, Emmanuel became a national hero as a champion of the disabled in Ghana. His initial feat was to ride a bike across Ghana on one leg to draw attention to the plight of the disabled; the rest of the documentary follows how this snowballed onto an international stage including visits with Kofi Annan (a Ghanaian), Robin Williams, and to even more remarkable athletic accomplishments. Emmanuel's "gift" involves a double entendre; he had his leg amputated and replaced by a prosthesis at Loma Linda Hospital in California, and of course his incredible story is a gift to all of us. Oprah was right; see this wonderful documentary about an incredible human being.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars (3.5 STARS) Life of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Person Who Set Out to Make Changes July 26, 2007

By Tsuyoshi TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

"Emmanuel's Gift" follows the life of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, born disabled in Ghana in 1977. In the land where, according to this documentary film, ten per cent of the population is born disabled and many of them have to beg in the street to live, Emmanuel sets out to make changes. His first step is a rather unique one, which is to write a letter to Challenged Athletes Foundation and ask them to send a bicycle to him. The Foundation agrees and Emmanuel rides the donated bicycle across Ghana to prove what he can do before the people.

Unfortunately the film does not have much footage of the sports activities of unstoppable Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who even participates in triathlon race using an artificial limb. (He underwent the operation to use one in America in 2003 when this documentary film project started.) Still you will be amazed by his strong will and determination and will also be attracted to his good, charming personality.

The 80 minute film directed by Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern moves fast and slick with Oprah Winfrey's narration, but perhaps some may say it is too fast. The social background of Ghana could have been explored more as well as the hardships Emmanuel and his mother must have suffered (her wonderful personality, it is clear, had a profound influence on the character of her son).

Still the documentary, short as it is, is a precious record about a person who made a difference.

(As to the Robin Williams credit, remember that he only appears in archive footage and that's about 30 seconds.)