(Getty)
The upcoming Fox News Republican presidential debate will feature a number of presidential hopefuls, including Dr. Ben Carson. While he may not be as recognizable as other Republican hopefuls, Carson is actually quite famous for his career as a surgeon. Dr. Carson’s main claim to fame was his successful surgery to separate conjoined twins who were joined at the head. Carson was the first doctor to complete this procedure successfully. In 1987, Carson and his surgical team separated the Binder twins, and both twins survived the intense 22-hour surgery. Ben Carson’s story inspired a 2009 movie, Gifted Hands, which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. as Carson. Curious about Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson? You can learn about Carson’s life through a biographical movie that was made about this famous doctor, or one of the many documentaries that feature his life story. Read on to learn more about the movies that have been made about Ben Carson.
1. Ben Carson Movie: ‘Gifted Hands’ Starring Cuba Gooding Jr.
(Amazon)
Gifted Hands is arguably the most famous biopic about Carson’s life. The cast includes Cuba Gooding Jr., alongside Aunjanue Ellis (who plays Candy). Aunjanue Ellis was also in films like Ray and The Help. Gifted Hands gives viewers a glimpse into Carson’s unhappy childhood and his early struggles in school, both of which make his eventual career as a surgeon all the more inspiring. The DVD includes two special features: Behind the Scenes of Gifted Hands and Triumph and Inspiration: The Journey of Dr. Ben Carson.
Can’t wait to have a DVD shipped to you? You can also watch this film on Netflix, where it is available for streaming now.
Price: $8.91 (41 percent off MSRP)
Buy Gifted Hands on DVD here.
2. Ben Carson Documentaries
(Amazon)
Not in the mood for a dramatized retelling of the Ben Carson story? For those who want a different type of Ben Carson movie, there are a couple of interesting documentaries you can check out. A Breath of Fresh Air ($19.99) is a recent documentary that focuses on how Carson’s has changed since the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast Speech. As political-savvy folks will recall, that prayer speech made headlines after Carson made a number of politically conservative statements while President Obama was sitting mere feet away.
Another interesting documentary to check out is the PBS program African American Lives ($16.78). This documentary uses genealogy and DNA science to help uncover the family history of notable African-Americans. Carson is featured, along with other icons like Whoopi Goldberg, Dr. Mae Jemison, Quincy Jones, Chris Tucker and Oprah Winfrey.
Buy A Breath of Fresh Air here.
Buy African American Lives here.
3. Ben Carson Books
(Amazon)
Not in the mood for a movie? Ben Carson has written a number of books. One of the most notable are the 1996 biography Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story ($5.99), which focuses on Carson’s early life, and his transition from inner-city Detroit to his position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at just 33.
Another notable book by Ben Carson is One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future ($17.74), which may be a title you should read if you are planning to vote for Carson in the future. Dr. Carson wrote this book with his wife, Candy.
Buy Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story here.
Buy One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future here.