Faith of My Fathers (TV 2005)

The story of John McCain's experience as a Vietnam War POW. Base on the memoir of the same title.

Director:

Peter Markle

Writers:

Peter Markle (teleplay), William Bingham (teleplay),

Stars:

Shawn Hatosy, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Joe Chrest

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shawn Hatosy	...	John McCain
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	...	Cat
Joe Chrest	...	Craner
Chi Muoi Lo	...	Prick
Troy Ruptash	...	Bud Day
Shea Whigham	...	Norris Overly
Jason Alan Smith	...	Charles larson
Scott Glenn	...	Jack McCain
Brian F. Durkin	...	Henry Witt
Michael Arata	...	Captain Hart
Nick Gomez	...	Becker
Douglas M. Griffin	...	Sailor
Brian Bossetta	...	Hanging POW
Robert Heath Hickman	...	Doug McCain
J.D. Evermore	...	Commander James Latimer

Storyline

John McCain is a poor student, except at wrestling, but toughs it out in Annapolis at the US Naval Academy with the goal of becoming a career naval officer like his father and grandfather, who were both admirals. Love at first sight leads to a marriage and children with Carole. During the Vietnam War, he's shot down and captured by the Vietcong, who torture American POWs. He resists years of torture and misery, only breaking once due to his busted limbs, and eventually returning home after five and one half years in captivity.

---

Plot Keywords:

john mccain | torture | vietnam war | vietnam | loyalty | 

---

Taglines:

John McCain's father gave him the courage to be a soldier. Five years as a POW gave him the courage to be a hero.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense depiction of wartime imprisonment and brief sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

I istoria tou John McCain

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks, Alan Barnette Productions, L.I.F.T. Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Carol McCain suffered a near fatal car accident during John's captivity that rendered her unable to walk without crutches, and deformed from her surgery. Though Carol's accident is mentioned in the book, the movie ignores it completely, so when Carol and John reunite she is in perfect physical condition. They're even shown dancing together.

User Reviews

A Story about Heroism!

United States Senator and Presidential Candidate John McCain's story about his five and half years in Vietnamese prison camp as a prisoner of war is told here. Most of the cast members are not well-known but they all play very well in this ensemble. The movie does it's best to show the brutality of war and the humanity that sometimes comes within. The actor who plays John McCain as the wounded soldier does a brilliant job in portraying him as a complex but likable fellow. The story offers a background regarding his complex relationship with John's father, a high ranking military man and the family's military history. We only see mother, Roberta, and hear her reaction that her son may not be coming home when his plane is shot at down. The same scene for his wife and the mother of his three children is also shown. We also see how he met his first wife, Carol. The five and half-years is well-documented as painful, violent, and inhumane at times but it built character in John to protect his squadron as well as remain behind rather than go home sooner than later. He couldn't bear to leave his men who became his friends behind. This movie is about politics but about a man's battle to survive with broken limbs but not a broken heart.