Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Actors

• John Achorn (actor)
• Chris Adamec (actor)
• Bill Allen (actor)
• Mel Allen (actor)
• Seth Allen (actor)
• Philip Amelio (actor)
• Réal Andrews (actor)
• Daniel Baldwin (actor)
• Stephen Baldwin (actor)
• William Baldwin (actor)
• Ran Barker (actor)
• Raymond J. Barry (actor)
• Ryan Beadle (actor)
• Cody Beard (actor)
• Paul Abbott (actor)

Genres

• Biography
• Drama
• War

Taglines:

A story of innocence lost and courage found.

Quotes:

Mrs. Kovic: [almost sobbing] Don't say penis in this house!::Ron Kovic: Penis! Penis! Big fucking erect penis, Mom!

Ron Kovic: People say that if you don't love America, then get the hell out. Well, I love America.

Ron Kovic: They burned the flag and they demonstrated against us; it's on the cover of the paper today. They have no respect. They have no idea what's going on over there, Mom - the men that are sacrificing their lives. People are dying every day over there, and nobody back here even seems to care. It's a bunch of goddamn shit if you ask me!::Mrs. Kovic: Ronnie, don't take the Lord's name in vain - not in front of the children. I agree with everything you say!::Ron Kovic: I served my country - and they just want to take from it - just take, take! Love it or leave it, that's what I think.

Lieutenant - Vietnam: [to Ron Kovic] It wasn't your fault, goddamn it! They got in the goddamn way!

Ron Kovic: When I was in the hospital, I thought, yeah - yeah, this makes sense.::Timmy Burns: What makes sense?::Ron Kovic: Because I failed, Timmy.::Timmy Burns: What are you talking about?::Ron Kovic: Because I - I killed some - people; I made some terrible - mistakes!::Timmy Burns: Oh, for Christ's sake, Ronnie, we all made mistakes. I mean, you - you had no choice. That's something that those goddamn pansy demonstrators ain't never gonna understand! Now, you don't even have to talk about it, Ronnie; I mean, it was insane over there! It was crazy!::Ron Kovic: Sometimes I wish, I wish I'd - The first time I got hit, I was shot in the foot. I could have laid down, I mean - who gives a fuck now if I was a hero or not? I was paralyzed, castrated that day; why? It was all so - stupid! I'd have my dick and my balls now, and some days, Timmy - some days I think I'd give everything I believe in - everything I got, all my values, just to have my body back again, just to be whole again. But I'm not whole; I never will be, and that's - that's the way it is, isn't it?::Timmy Burns: [after a slight pause] For Christ's sake, Ronnie, it's your birthday. You're alive. You made it! Smile.

Steve Boyer: You could start out as a cashier... and then work your way up to becoming a manager of one of these places - just like your dad.::Ron Kovic: I get $1700 a month from the government. I think I'm just going to lay low, and look around...::Steve Boyer: [dismissively] That's charity money, Ronnie; this isn't.::Ron Kovic: Charity?::Steve Boyer: All I'm saying is that you got to - you got to put the war behind you, you know; you got to forget about this chair you're in!::Ron Kovic: [leans forward] Sometimes, Stevie, I think people, they know you're back from Vietnam, and their face - changes: the eyes, the voice, the way they look at you, you know.::Steve Boyer: I know what you mean, Ronnie, but people here - they don't give a shit about the war! Yeah! To them it's just a million miles away. It's all bullshit, anyway. I mean, the government sold us a bill of goods and we bought it, and got the shit kicked out of us, and for what, huh?::Ron Kovic: What do you mean, "we," Stevie? You were in college, man.::Steve Boyer: [shrugs shoulders] You bought that Communist bullshit, Ronnie. Yeah, they were going to take over the world, you remember that? Fenelli, you, Walsh - the whole town was devastated.::[pause]::Steve Boyer: For what? For lies, for bullshit lies?

Ron Kovic: [to Charlie] I had a mother; I had a father, things - things that made sense. Do you remember things that made sense? Things you could count on? Before we all got so lost? What are we gonna do, Charlie? What am I gonna do?

Mrs. Kovic: [enters the room, beaming] Ronnie, Ronnie, you're doing the right thing! Communism has to be stopped! It's God's will that you go, and I'm proud of you. [gently pats his shoulder] Just be careful, that's all.::[pause]::Ron Kovic: Don't you know what it means to me to be a Marine, Dad? Ever since I was a kid I've wanted this - I've wanted to serve my country - and I want to go. I want to go to Vietnam - and I'll die there if I have to.

Doctor: We want to make one thing very clear to you, Ron. The possibility of your ever walking again is minimal... almost impossible. You're a T6 - paralyzed from the mid-chest down. Probably... you'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. (pause) Do you understand what I'm saying?::Ron Kovic: Well, doctor...::Doctor: Hmm?::Ron Kovic: Doctor, will I ever be able to - to have children?::Doctor: No. [pause] No, but we have a good psychologist. He's helped a lot of people.::Ron Kovic: I'll walk again.::Doctor: No you won't...::Ron Kovic: No, I know I'll walk again!::Doctor: No, let me tell you something, Ron. You will NEVER walk again.

[in the Bronx VA hospital]::Ron Kovic: This place is a fuckin' slum!::Marvin: You want out of here, man? Fine. We take that leg of yours, and we can get you out of here in two weeks!::Ron Kovic: I want my leg.::Marvin: Why?::Ron Kovic: I want my leg!::Marvin: Why? You can't feel it no how!::Ron Kovic: (incredulous and angry) It's my leg! I want my leg, you understand? Can't you understand that? All's I'm sayin' is that I want to be treated like a human being! I fought for my country! I am a Vietnam veteran! I fought for my country!::Patient: [off-camera] Shut the fuck up!::Ron Kovic: And I think that I deserve to be treated... decent!

The Making of 'Born on the Fourth of July' (1989)

Actors

• Tom Cruise (actor)
• Tom Cruise (actor)
• Daniel Wheatcroft (producer)

Genres

• Short

Kovic, Ron Filmography

• When Jane & Johnny Come Marching... Homeless
  2014, role: actor , character name: Himself
• 6 Days in a Park
  2009, role: actor , character name: Himself
• Convention
  2009, role: actor , character name: Hismelf
• The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
  2009, role: actor , character name: Himself
• A Soldier's Peace
  2008, role: actor , character name: Himself
• The U.S. vs. John Lennon
  2006, role: actor , character name: Himself
• One Bright Shining Moment
  2005, role: actor , character name: Himself
• American Dreamers
  1996, role: actor , character name: Himself
• Oliver Stone: Inside Out
  1992, role: actor , character name: Himself
• The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards
  1990, role: actor , character name: Himself - Winner: Best Screenplay
• The 62nd Annual Academy Awards
  1990, role: actor , character name: Himself - Nominee: Best Adapted Screenplay
• Born on the Fourth of July
  1989, role: miscellaneous crew
• Born on the Fourth of July
  1989, role: actor , character name: Parade Veteran
• Born on the Fourth of July
  1989, role: writer
• Born on the Fourth of July
  1989, role: writer
• Showtime Looks at 1981
  1981, role: actor , character name: Himself - Center for Veterans Rights
• Operation Last Patrol
  1972, role: actor , character name: Himself