Born on the Fourth of July (Blu-ray + DVD) R
A story of innocence lost and courage found.
Out of Print:
Future availability is unknown
on most orders of $75+
|
Brand New
|
Also released as:
Blu-ray Details
- Number of Discs: 2
- Rated: R
- Run Time: 4 hours, 50 minutes
- Video: Color
- Encoding: Region 1 (USA & Canada)
- Released: July 3, 2012
- Originally Released: 1989
- Label: Universal Studios
Performers, Cast and Crew:
Starring | Tom Cruise | |
Performer: | Kyra Sedgwick, Willem Dafoe, Raymond J. Barry, Frank Whaley, Jerry Levine, Stephen Baldwin, Jason Gedrick, John Getz, David Warshofsky, Vivica A. Fox, Bob Gunton, Mark Moses, Edie Brickell, Abbie Hoffman, Holly Marie Combs, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Lili Taylor & Daniel Baldwin | |
Directed by | Oliver Stone | |
Edited by | David Brenner | |
Screenwriting by | Oliver Stone | |
Composition by | John Williams | |
Produced by | Oliver Stone & A. Kitman Ho | |
Director of Photography: | Robert Richardson |
Major Awards:
Academy Awards 1989 -
Best Director: Oliver Stone
Academy Awards 1989 -
Best Film Editing: Not Applicable
Entertainment Reviews:
Rating: 3.5/4 --
...a tale of American masculinity undone.
Full Review
LarsenOnFilm
Rating: 2.5/4 --
There's ultimately little doubt that Born on the Fourth of July benefits substantially from Cruise's engrossing and often electrifying turn as the tortured protagonist...
Full Review
Reel Film Reviews
Rating: 4/4 --
Nothing Cruise has done will prepare you for what he does in Born on the Fourth of July.
Full Review
Chicago Sun-Times
Tom Cruise, who takes Kovic from clean-cut eager teen to impassioned long-haired activist, is stunning.
Full Review
Variety
This '89 epic features cameos from Kovic himself and anti-war legend Abbie Hoffman.
Uncut
A compelling, elegiac film, particularly encouraging after the simplified morality of Platoon.
Full Review
Time Out
Rating: 3.5/4 --
Not counting his iconic themes for such blockbusters as Star Wars and Jaws, this might feature John Williams' best music score to date.
Full Review
Creative Loafing
Product Description:
Set in the years between 1956 and 1976; Produced and released in 1989.
One of the best films made about the devastating impact of the Vietnam War on the body politic, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY is superbly executed by director Oliver Stone, who evokes what may be Tom Cruise's best performance as Vietnam vet Ron Kovic. Before the war starts, Kovic is a normal American kid, going to school, hanging out with his friends, and bagging groceries for pocket money. But as the Vietnam conflict begins to impact the lives of everyone around him, the patriotic teenager decides to enlist. Although his father (Raymond J. Berry) is not happy with his decision, his mother (Caroline Kava) could hardly be more enthusiastic. Once in combat, Kovic becomes disillusioned with his commanding officer (John Getz) who dismisses the fact that Kovic accidentally shot one of their own men in combat. Shortly thereafter, Kovic is paralyzed from the chest down by a bullet in the spine. He must begin a lengthy and excruciatingly painful rehabilitation, which includes a period in the shockingly negligent Bronx Veteran's Hospital. He finally returns to his hometown, now a confused, embittered, and alienated man. His family is also unsettled, unsure about how to deal with this very changed person. After a dissipated spree with other disabled vets like Charlie (Willem Dafoe), Kovic begins talking to antiwar activists like Donna (Kyra Sedgwick) and starts to reevaluate his thinking. In sum, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY is a deeply moving true account of the effects of war on its survivors.
One of the best films made about the devastating impact of the Vietnam War on the body politic, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY is superbly executed by director Oliver Stone, who evokes what may be Tom Cruise's best performance as Vietnam vet Ron Kovic. Before the war starts, Kovic is a normal American kid, going to school, hanging out with his friends, and bagging groceries for pocket money. But as the Vietnam conflict begins to impact the lives of everyone around him, the patriotic teenager decides to enlist. Although his father (Raymond J. Berry) is not happy with his decision, his mother (Caroline Kava) could hardly be more enthusiastic. Once in combat, Kovic becomes disillusioned with his commanding officer (John Getz) who dismisses the fact that Kovic accidentally shot one of their own men in combat. Shortly thereafter, Kovic is paralyzed from the chest down by a bullet in the spine. He must begin a lengthy and excruciatingly painful rehabilitation, which includes a period in the shockingly negligent Bronx Veteran's Hospital. He finally returns to his hometown, now a confused, embittered, and alienated man. His family is also unsettled, unsure about how to deal with this very changed person. After a dissipated spree with other disabled vets like Charlie (Willem Dafoe), Kovic begins talking to antiwar activists like Donna (Kyra Sedgwick) and starts to reevaluate his thinking. In sum, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY is a deeply moving true account of the effects of war on its survivors.