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

Al Pacino turned down the role of Kovic's father. Some years earlier another version was proposed with Pacino as Kovic with William Friedkin. directing.

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Goofs

When the recruiter visits Ronnie's school, he incorrectly refers to Marine boot camp as "13 weeks of hell," when Marine boot camp was only 8 weeks during the timeframe of the movie.

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Quotes

Mrs. Kovic: [almost sobbing] Don't say penis in this house!
Ron Kovic: Penis! Penis! Big fucking erect penis, Mom!

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Crazy Credits

Cast credits are sorted by location.

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Connections

Featured in The Spirit of America (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Principal Trumpet Original Score"
by Tim Morrison and the Boston Pops Orchestra

User Reviews

Harrowing but breathtaking!

I remember when i first watched this film I became totally absorbed in it. I had to search out songs that I heard in the move.....I had to see other Vietnam movies again.....I had to watch other Stone movies. Its a superb film. Cruise gives the best peformance he ever will in a film as Kovic.....the golden boy who comes home paralysed and confused at the way his country is reacting to Vietnam. Some of the scenes in the film are very disturbing but the ones that affected me the deepest were not any battle scenes. When Ron comes home and looks at himself as a young boy in his wrestling kit was almost unbearable to watch. Also, the scene when he is drunk in the bar and comes out of his wheelchair had me turning away from the screen. This is a true epic film and the support cast and soundtrack are also superb. 5/5 easily.