George W. Bush (film)

George W. Bush is a 2020 two-part biographical television film about former United States President George W. Bush. Produced by PBS for the American Experience documentary program, it recounts Bush's life from his childhood up to the end of his two-term presidency in 2008. Directed by Jamila Ephron and written by Barak Goodman and Chris Durrance, the film aired on PBS in two parts on May 4 and 5, 2020.

George W. Bush
GenreDocumentary
Written by
  • Barak Goodman[1]
  • Chris Durrance[1]
Directed byJamila Ephron
Narrated byCorey Stoll[1]
Music byArt Farm West[1]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producers
  • Barak Goodman (senior)[1]
  • Jamila Ephron[1]
  • Chris Durrance[1]
CinematographyStephen McCarthy[1]
Editors
  • Ben Hilton (Part One)[1]
  • Sandrine Isambert (Part Two)
[1]
Production companyArk Media[1]
Release
Original networkPBS
Original release
  • May 4, 2020 (2020-05-04)

Interviewees

Production

On July 29, 2019, PBS announced that American Experience will produce a two-part biographical film about former President George W. Bush to be released in Spring 2020.[2] The film was then titled W, with Barak Goodman as writer, producer, and director; Goodman previously wrote and directed the 2012 film on Bill Clinton.[3] By January 2020, Jamila Ephron was revealed to have since become part of the project.

On April 14, 2020, PBS revealed that the film will premiere the next month on May 4 and 5.[4] In regard to the inclusion of Ari Fleischer and Andrew Card, both of whom have been documented to give lies during the Bush administration, Goodman explained that "I think that what this administration, with some exceptions, underwent was a process of self-delusion. Not that they set out to lie to the American people, they lied to themselves", adding that "[t]he fact is, these were the guys who were there."[5]

Critical response

Brian Lowry of CNN gave George W. Bush a negative review, criticizing its omission of some significant details in Bush's life and presidency such as the controversy toward his National Guard service and Karl Rove's alleged "smear tactics" during the 2000 primary of the Republican Party, in addition to the film's decision not to cover his post-presidency. Lowry added that the film is also unsuccessful in adding further insight into Bush's character other than what is already known about him.[6] Scott D. Pierce of The Salt Lake Tribune on the other hand assessed the film to be "worth watching" for its direct and fair documentation of Bush's life.[5]

References
  1. "George W. Bush - Credits". PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  2. "PBS and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Announce "W"". PBS. Beverly Hills, California: Public Broadcasting Service. July 29, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  3. White, Peter (July 29, 2019). "George W. Bush Subject Of Two-Part PBS Doc From 'Clinton' Filmmaker Barak Goodman – TCA". Deadline.com. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  4. Morgan, Jillian (April 14, 2020). "PBS sets May premiere for 'American Experience' doc "George W. Bush"". Realscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  5. Pierce, Scott (May 3, 2020). "Scott D. Pierce: Despite the liars, PBS' 'George W. Bush' takes a cold, hard look at the former president". The Salt Lake Tribune. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  6. Lowry, Brian (May 4, 2020). "'George W. Bush' offers a too-thin look at the man and his presidency". CNN. Cable News Network. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
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