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Born on the Fourth of July
1989 145 min United States of America R 16+
★8.0
Drama, War
Director: Oliver Stone
📖 Based on the novel
«Born on the Fourth of July»
byRon Kovic
Trailers
EN
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
Description
Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.
Budget:
$14M
US Gross:
$70M
Worldwide:
$161M
Starring
Tom Cruise
Actor
Bryan Larkin
Actor
Raymond J. Barry
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Film Editing
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Director
Berlin International Film Festival 1990
— Golden Bear
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Film Editing
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Actor (Drama)
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Original Score
BAFTA 1991
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Picture (Drama)
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Screenplay
Key opinion
Born on the Fourth of July is widely regarded as a powerful and transformative biographical drama that captures the harrowing physical and psychological toll of the Vietnam War. While most praise Oliver Stone’s unflinching direction and Tom Cruise’s career-defining performance, some viewers find the film’s prolonged runtime and heavy-handed narrative approach to be polarizing.
| Acting | Tom Cruise delivers a transformative and profoundly complex performance that anchors the protagonist's journey from idealism to bitterness. | |
| Score | John Williams's requiem-like score effectively reinforces the film's somber and reflective atmosphere. | |
| Direction | Oliver Stone effectively utilizes his directorial vision to present a raw and unflinching critique of war, government propaganda, and systemic neglect of veterans. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds as a poignant, emotionally resonant character study regarding the long-term trauma and resilience of disabled veterans. | |
| Runtime | The nearly three-hour runtime is viewed by some as an essential immersive experience, while others find the pacing to be unnecessarily drawn-out and occasionally dull. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative's shift from grounded character drama to political agitation polarizes viewers, with some finding it a vital protest against nationalism and others criticizing it as forced or caricatured. |