Director of New George H.W. Bush Documentary on the Making of "41", the Love Story Between George and Barbara, and What Surprised Him About the Fmr. President

Former President George H. W. Bush recounts his life in a new documentary that for the first time tells the story of his life in his own words. Bush celebrated his 88th birthday yesterday by attending a special screening of the film in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Director Jeffrey Roth joined Martha MacCallum to discuss the impact of making the film, saying that what surprised him most is something deep-seated in the former president's character.

"In reality, [what surprised me most] is just how

humble he is and how private he is for being a politician," said Roth. "For a man who really doesn't care about shaping his legacy - he says historians will decide that - he's a man who really just likes to stay in the background."

The film is actually quite remarkable as a document for history, since Bush '41 never wrote an autobiography or collection of memoirs. Roth said while he felt the pressure of the responsibility of telling Bush's story, it was made easier by the knowledge that their focus was not on making a film on his time in office or career as a politician.

"I think the number one thing is that ... our goal was to let people understand, and to get to know him, what makes him emotional, what makes him have a great sense of humor."

Watch the interview from today's America's Newsroom, including clips from the documentary that recount the former president's first meeting with wife Barbara Bush, as well as his emotional memory of son George W. Bush being elected president.

The documentary airs Thursday night on HBO at 9p ET.