Tom Cruise delivers a riveting and unforgettable portrayal of Vietnam veteran and activist Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone’s Academy Award®-winning* masterpiece. Based on a true story, the acclaimed film follows Kovic from a zealous teen who eagerly volunteered for the Vietnam War, to an embittered veteran paralyzed from the mid-chest down. Deeply in love with his country, Kovic returned to an environment vastly different from the one he left and struggled greatly before emerging as a brave new voice for his fellow soldiers and countrymen.

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Video Quality

Shout! Studios presents Born On The Fourth Of July with a first-rate 2160p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR approved by Director Oliver Stone. This film was previously released on Blu-Ray by Universal over a decade ago in 2012, a release that was not sufficient due to the heavy processing that robbed the image of its natural qualities. This new restoration proves to be a godsend which allows this classic to look like the best version itself. The newly recovered detail and clarity will transfix you thanks to the presence of the natural film grain which has not been nuked away.

The grain is appropriately thick yet never fails to resolve favorably in a way that never feels clumpy or swarming. We did not spot any jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or any other such nuisances. Any previous specks of damage or dirt have been eradicated during the remastering process. The texture on display in the carnage of the war scenes, the clothing, and the production design are unbelievable. The practical effects present with an abundance of clarity, and this presentation is sure to unveil new nuances for the viewer.

The Dolby Vision is implemented with great care for expanded color output that captures the palette’s depth and nuance. The new presentation harnesses some characteristics in the lighting and landscapes that leap off the screen with a welcome immediacy. Environments look incredible during the daytime scenes whether during the idyllic time before the war or during the starkly hopeless wartorn efforts. The film features numerous shadowy moments which maintain lovely detail. Black levels are first-rate with virtually nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights are firmly defined with no evidence of blooming. This disc handles every discrete environmental change with ease. This presentation is authentic to the original look of the film, and it marks a peerless effort from the team at Shout! Studios.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with the previously available DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio tracks along with a brand new Dolby Atmos track that gives audiences three impeccable options. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear from beginning to end so that no information is lost in the action. The environmental sounds such as fireworks, gunshots, and screaming crowds are rendered perfectly alongside everything else. This is where you will experience the most notable expansion in the Atmos track as sounds overhead blossom and support the main thrust of the track with the utmost ease. The sound is sonically nimble and complex with top tier fidelity. The stirring John Williams score settles you into this story filled with heightened emotions. There are not any major instances of age-related wear and tear that we observed. Shout! Studios has treated this with the proper care. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries: A pair of commentary tracks are provided that explore the film from a personal perspective along with a historical and analytical examination. You learn the motivations behind various decisions, the aesthetic considerations, the psychology of the characters, the structure of the film, working with the performers, and much more.

- Audio Commentary #1: Film Critic Matt Zoller Seitz

- Audio Commentary #2: Director Oliver Stone

The Battlefield at Home – Interview with Director Oliver Stone: A nearly 14-minute new interview with Oliver Stone in which he discusses how this film came into his orbit, his collaboration with Tom Cruise, the dedication of Cruise to bring this story to life respectfully, the shooting locations, the reception to the film, and more.

The Ghost Generation – Interview with Special Makeup Effects Artist Gordon J. Smith: A new 12-minute interview with the special effects legend in which he reflects on his relationship with Oliver Stone, how he became involved with the film, the creation of certain moments, and more.

The War Continues – Interview with Associate Producer Clayton Townsend: A new 12-minute interview with Townsend in which he discusses his relationship with Oliver Stone, his experiences with the project, the location shooting, research that went into the production, memories of the performers, and much more.

TV Spots (2:04)

Theatrical Trailers (9:44)

Edie Brickell and New Bohemians “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” – Music Video (3:57)

Final Thoughts

Born On The Fourth Of July is one of the best to come from Oliver Stone. This one contains the fire you expect from the filmmaker, but there is also the necessary restraint to keep the attention fixated on this real-life figure and his struggles. Tom Cruise delivers one of his best roles here, and there is an expansive ensemble that fleshes out this world perfectly. Even with a burly runtime, this film keeps you rapt with attention and buzzing from the journey you go on alongside the character. It deserves to be celebrated as a classic. Shout! Studio has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a fantastic A/V presentation and a great assortment of special features. Highly Recommended

Born On The Fourth Of July (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Shout! Studios has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.