Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

The biography of Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers:

Ron Kovic (book), Oliver Stone (screenplay),

Stars:

Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava

Won 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Cruise	...	Ron Kovic
Raymond J. Barry	...	Mr. Kovic
Caroline Kava	...	Mrs. Kovic
Josh Evans	...	Tommy Kovic
Jamie Talisman	...	Jimmy Kovic
Anne Bobby	...	Suzanne Kovic
Samantha Larkin	...	Patty Kovic
Tom Berenger	...	Recruiting Gunnery Sgt. Hayes
Frank Whaley	...	Timmy
Jerry Levine	...	Steve Boyer
Richard Panebianco	...	Joey Walsh
Rob Camilletti	...	Tommy Finnelli
Stephen Baldwin	...	Billy Vorsovich
Michael McTighe	...	Danny Fantozzi
Richard Haus	...	Recruiting Sgt. Bowers

Storyline

The biography of Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | vietnam war | causality | black panties | exposed bone | 

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Taglines:

A story of innocence lost and courage found.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

20 December 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nacido el cuatro de julio

Filming Locations:

Milo Butterfingers - Dallas, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$70,001,698 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ixtlan

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's anti-war message meant that Universal were very nervous about its box office chances so they kept the budget low. To keep costs down, most of the cast didn't receive an upfront salary.

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Goofs

The voice of Mel Allen is heard on the radio calling Mantle's 491st home run which would have taken place in 1966. Allen was fired after the 1964 season

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Quotes

Mrs. Kovic: [enters the room, beaming] Ronnie, Ronnie, you're doing the right thing! Communism has to be stopped! It's God's will that you go, and I'm proud of you.
[gently pats his shoulder]
Mrs. Kovic: Just be careful, that's all.
[pause]
Ron Kovic: Don't you know what it means to me to be a Marine, Dad? Ever since I was a kid I've wanted this - I've wanted to serve my country - and I want to go. I want to go to Vietnam - and I'll die there if I have to.

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Crazy Credits

Cast credits are sorted by location.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Family Business/Blaze/We're No Angels/The Wizard/The Rosegarden (1989)

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Soundtracks

"American Pie"
Written by Don McLean
Performed by Don McLean
Under license from CEMA Special Markets
Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc.
Published by Music Corp. of America, Inc. & Benny Bird Music

User Reviews

"You can take your Vietnam and shove it up your ass" Stone's 2nd best film to date

Oliver Stone's Born on the Fourth of July to me is better than Platoon, or at least more psychologically moving and cinematically compelling. While Platoon, Stone's totally personal account of the Vietnam war is quite accurate and superb in many ways, this film is better if only because it's not Stone's story. He takes the tale of Ron Kovic (who wrote the book with the same name as the film and scripted by him and Stone) and turns it into a blisteringly awesome and ultimately harrowing picture that has performances, scenes and direction that top Platoon (maybe it's a sign that practice makes perfect)

Anyway, the tale centers on Ron Kovic (played to a utter T by Tom Cruise) good old-boy-type of American kid who decides he wants to fight for his country in the Vietnam war even if he has to die for his country. He fights, witnesses horror and makes a tragic mistake and comes back home a crippled from the waist down veteran, who has to endure the emotional and physical pain of just being a veteran of Vietnam in a country where they are put down more than revered. All this, and more (including one of the most volcanic scenes I have ever seen between Cruise and Dafoe on a Mexico road) lead him to become a anti-war activist.

In making the big theme of the picture Kovic and his feeling on the war, Stone depicts his journey excellently by showing his desire to be in it, his confusion afterwards, his eventual hatred and then placement in being against the war all the while still being a patriot. Not only does it work as a saga/war movie, but also as a 180 degree change tale. Must, must see for all Stone fans and for anybody who wants to see what Cruise can actually do with proper direction and script.