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Born on the Fourth of July

  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
105K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,595
1,014
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer2:54
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • War

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
105K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,595
1,014
  • Director
    • Oliver Stone
  • Writers
    • Ron Kovic(book)
    • Oliver Stone(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Cruise
    • Bryan Larkin
    • Raymond J. Barry
Top credits
  • Director
    • Oliver Stone
  • Writers
    • Ron Kovic(book)
    • Oliver Stone(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Cruise
    • Bryan Larkin
    • Raymond J. Barry
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 221User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 15 wins & 26 nominations total

    Videos2

    Born On The Fourth of July
    Trailer 2:54
    Born On The Fourth of July
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4
    Video 2:42
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4

    Photos195

    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise and Bill Neal in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Barry, Anne Bobby, Josh Evans, and Jamie Talisman in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise and Willem Dafoe in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise, Stephen Baldwin, Frank Whaley, Rob Camilletti, Jerry Levine, and Richard Panebianco in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise and Kyra Sedgwick in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Oliver Stone and Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
    Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Cruise
    Tom Cruise
    • Ron Kovicas Ron Kovic
    Bryan Larkin
    Bryan Larkin
    • Young Ronas Young Ron
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Mr. Kovicas Mr. Kovic
    Caroline Kava
    Caroline Kava
    • Mrs. Kovicas Mrs. Kovic
    Josh Evans
    Josh Evans
    • Tommy Kovicas Tommy Kovic
    Seth Allen
    • Young Tommyas Young Tommy
    Jamie Talisman
    • Jimmy Kovicas Jimmy Kovic
    Sean Stone
    Sean Stone
    • Young Jimmyas Young Jimmy
    Anne Bobby
    Anne Bobby
    • Susanne Kovicas Susanne Kovic
    Jenna von Oÿ
    Jenna von Oÿ
    • Young Susanneas Young Susanne
    Samantha Larkin
    • Patty Kovicas Patty Kovic
    Erika Geminder
    • Young Pattyas Young Patty
    Amanda Davis
    • Baby Pattyas Baby Patty
    Kevin Harvey Morse
    • Jackie Kovicas Jackie Kovic
    John Getz
    John Getz
    • Marine Majoras Marine Major
    David Warshofsky
    David Warshofsky
    • Lieutenantas Lieutenant
    Jason Gedrick
    Jason Gedrick
    • Martinezas Martinez
    Michael Compotaro
    • Wilsonas Wilson
    • Director
      • Oliver Stone
    • Writers
      • Ron Kovic(book) (screenplay)
      • Oliver Stone(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
    • drunkenness
    • desert
    • bar
    • 1970s
    • 1950s
    • 133 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A story of innocence lost and courage found.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • War
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real Ron Kovic gave Tom Cruise his Bronze Star for his performance in this movie.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Mrs. Kovic: [almost sobbing] Don't say penis in this house!

      Ron Kovic: Penis! Penis! Big fucking erect penis, Mom!

    • Crazy credits
      The film's title is seen after the end credits have finished.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Family Business/Blaze/We're No Angels/The Wizard/The Rosegarden (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      You're a Grand Old Flag
      Written by George M. Cohan

      Performed by the Pride of the 48

      Courtesy of Alshire International, Inc.

      Published by George M. Cohan Music Publishing Co.

    User reviews221

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Absorbing Piece of Work
    Let's start with the good news. "Born on the Fourth of July" is an absorbing piece of work, based on a true story, about Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), a gung-ho Marine-turned-war-protester. We first meet Kovic as an all-American boy as strong in his faith as he is in his will to succeed. After high school he proudly joins the Marines, hoping he'll be shipped to Vietnam to stop the spread of communism. But the barbarities of war, including civilian casualties, friendly fire and a paralyzing bullet through the chest, gradually turn him against the conflict. Director Oliver Stone's method of telling Kovic's story over a period of several years is highly effective and convincing. Cruise is at his best as Kovic, portraying a wide range of emotions and developing apathy with the viewer. The audience feels what he feels, from confusion on the battlefield to the terror of being paralyzed from the waist down.

    Now for the bad news. The picture is overly political, with Stone once again (and unnecessarily) casting Republicans as the bad guys and Democrats as the good guys (seemingly ignoring that the Dems initially sent the troops to 'Nam). The film also takes a while to build up steam, and the all-American life of the pre-Marine Kovic seems a little too perfect to be believable. Obviously a story such as this requires adequate screen time, but the 145 minutes is slightly drawn out, particularly toward the end. And although one of its central themes is the opposition to the war that greeted returning vets, the genesis and rationale of that opposition are not adequately explored.

    As a whole, however, "Born of the Fourth of July" is recommended. Kovic's biography and Stone's masterful storytelling are a perfect match. It's not your typical war movie. In fact, it's not your typical movie, period.
    helpful•51
    14
    • ReelCheese
    • Aug 13, 2006

    FAQ5

    • Is 'Born on the Fourth of July' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 5, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Geboren am 4. Juli
    • Filming locations
      • Philippines
    • Production company
      • Ixtlan
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $14,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $70,001,698
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $172,021
      • Dec 25, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $161,001,698
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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