IMDb > Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Born on the Fourth of July
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Born on the Fourth of July (1989) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
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.
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.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   29,503 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Oliver Stone
Writers (WGA):
Ron Kovic (book)
Oliver Stone (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Born on the Fourth of July on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 December 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama | War more
Tagline:
A story of innocence lost and courage found.
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 14 nominations more
User Comments:
The Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise Show more (144 total)

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
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Additional Details

Runtime:
145 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Spanish
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)
Company:
Ixtlan more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Oliver Stone became the 16th man to win a second directing Oscar, joining an elite pantheon that includes Milos Forman,Billy Wilder, David Lean, Elia Kazan and John Ford. Since his win, Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood have been added to the list. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the welcome home parade in 1969 we see two Elvises with the American eagle jumpsuit. This was not made for Elvis until his Aloha From Hawaii show in 1973. more
Quotes:
Ron Kovic: People say that if you don't love America, then get the hell out. Well, I love America. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Office: The Injury (#2.12)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Rebecca more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
22 out of 26 people found the following comment useful.
The Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise Show, 26 July 2000
Author: tfrizzell from United States

"Born on the Fourth of July" is a film based on the real-life experiences of Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise in an Oscar-nominated role). As a young man he feels that Vietnam is just another battleground for the United States. Even after he returns home paralyzed from the waist down, he still feels that Vietnam is important and that if you do not support the fighting then you should leave America. However, he has a change of heart and becomes an anti-war activist who realizes that one gets nothing out of combat but heartache and sorrow. Oliver Stone's screenplay is pretty strong, but it is his unrelenting direction that makes the material work throughout. Tom Cruise established himself as a high-class actor and the film stays above water because of that fact. The lack of character support does impede the progress of the film though. Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, and Kyra Sedgwick make somewhat token appearances and the impact of their screen-time is all minimal. Cruise's character dominates the film. This is both the film's strong point and weak point. All in all a strong film, but could have been so much more. 4 out of 5 stars.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How accurate was this movie? mackbrockton
What's the name of the whistling tune they play in the protest scene? oneforthecash
Severly underrated work by Stone + Cruise prezike
Music KKyriacoscar
I don't think Oliver Stone knows how to make a film. beastofburden14787
Music Question (Opening Theme) vlt22
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