October 12 - Born on the Fourth of July

This movie has a scene that happens today – October 12. I hope you will enjoy this film while watching it tonight.  

BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

Ron Kovic has an all-american childhood. He is especially patriotic,  as he was born on July 4^th.  He decides to join the Marines. Kovic crashes the prom to dance with Donna, the girl he has a big crush on. On October 12, 1967 [27:35 to 37:08] Kovic accidentally kills PFC. Wilson during combat in Vietnam. A few months later Kovic is wounded and left a parapalegic. His recovery takes place in a run down VA hospital. He moves back home and almost has a breakdown while addressing the hometown crowd on July 4^th.. Kovic visits with Donna at Syracuse University, where she’s now a student and he is angered at the brutal break up of an anti-war demonstration. Kovic has a huge fight with his parents as they cannot accept his changed attitude about religion, the war and patriotism. He moves to Mexico, where he has his first sexual experience with a prostitute, and he briefly considers asking her to marry him. Traveling with another paraplegic veteran to another village they annoy their taxi driver and end up left stranded on the side of the road. Kovic leaves Mexico and travels to confess to Wilson’s widow and parents that he accidentally killed Wilson. Kovic travels on to picket with other anti-war demonstrators at the Republican National Convention. The protestors break into the hall and Kovic is on TV. He later speaks at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.

An unusual biopic. This film does a good job in depicting the change in America from 1967 to 1972 caused by the war in Vietnam through one man’s eyes. Kovic changes from being an unquestioning patriot to a questioning one. 

Date given in film at 1:57:45 on Wilson’s tombstone

Producer - A. Kitman Ho and Oliver Stone

Director - Oliver Stone

Awards – The film won the Best Director and Best Film Editing Oscars. The movie was also nominated for the Best Picture, Best Actor(Cruise), Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars at the 62^nd Academy Awards.   

Screenplay - Oliver Stone and Ron Kovic

Runtime – 2 hours 25 minutes

Released -  December 20, 1989

Starring –

Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic

Raymond J. Barry as Eli Kovic

Caroline Kava as Mrs. Kovic

Josh Evans as Tommy Kovic

Frank Whaley as Timmy Burns

Jerry Levine as Steve Boyer

Kyra Sedgwick as Donna

Rob Camilletti as Tommy Finelli

Stephen Baldwin as Billy Vorsovich

Tom Berenger as GySgt. Hayes

Willem Dafoe as Charlie

John Getz as Marine Major - Vietnam

Cordelia González as María Elena

Holly Marie Combs as Jenny

Vivica A. Fox as hooker in VA hospital

Wayne Knight as Official #2 - Democratic Convention

James LeGros as Platoon - Vietnam

Ed Lauter as Legion Commander

R. D. Call as Chaplain - Vietnam