John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: May 28, 2018
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 7 out of 18

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User Reviews

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  1. TheShrike222
    May 29, 2018
    9
    A beautiful last moment shared with a man a big enough to admit his mistakes and who served his country with joy and humility. I don't agree with a lot of his politics, but I admire the hero. I appreciate that the film addresses several of his controversies head on and shows his friends, republican and democrat, and the respect they have for him even when they are on opposite sides of theA beautiful last moment shared with a man a big enough to admit his mistakes and who served his country with joy and humility. I don't agree with a lot of his politics, but I admire the hero. I appreciate that the film addresses several of his controversies head on and shows his friends, republican and democrat, and the respect they have for him even when they are on opposite sides of the argument.… Expand
  2. NewmansOwn
    May 29, 2018
    10
    McCain is a patriot who puts country before self and always has. He puts country before party and always has. He is not afraid to stand up to outside pressure and go against the grain when needed. Politics has become far too partisan -- we need more McCain's in congress, not fewer. Maybe then we would see progress instead of gridlock. And, no, this is not a problem that started in JanMcCain is a patriot who puts country before self and always has. He puts country before party and always has. He is not afraid to stand up to outside pressure and go against the grain when needed. Politics has become far too partisan -- we need more McCain's in congress, not fewer. Maybe then we would see progress instead of gridlock. And, no, this is not a problem that started in Jan 2017 -- it has been a problem for many, many years and begs for a solution. Perhaps this documentary will inspire a new generation of common-sense legislators... but I'm not holding my breath.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best TV Season of 2018
59
#59 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Richard Roeper
    Dec 14, 2018
    88
    An insightful, poignant, journalistically sound profile that gives McCain his due, but steers clear of hagiography.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    May 29, 2018
    80
    First and foremost, this documentary is as a moving farewell to a flawed, but still admirable, man. But it also comes across as another type of good-bye, one to the basic civility Americans once were able to take for granted in the political realm. John McCain: For Whom the Bell Toll is another reminder that this, too, is dying.
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Inkoo Kang
    May 29, 2018
    60
    In this deferential retelling, McCain is a lifelong public servant who only erred when he wasn't true to himself, with no ideological bent in his mission to make America exceptional again. It's certainly an inspirational portrait; it's also a blatant exercise in legacy management.
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