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.
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.
"[5] 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.
[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.