Wiki for Dr. McClurkens Courses

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You should do a total of 2-3 comments/questions/observations this week. You do not need to post to all areas. – Dr. McClurken

DO NOT DELETE OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS – Please be careful as you add your posts that you are not deleting anyone else's work. – Dr. McClurken

====== How does this movie work as a secondary source? What does the movie get right about history? ======

The aspects that the movie was able to articulate correctly for the audience about history is the psychological and emotional toll of the Vietnam War on soldiers. Similar to Fred Derry in Best Years of our Lives, Kovic also struggles from the turmoil that PTSD, anger, and mental health places on him during the aftermath of the war which is misunderstood by the public. The movie also is able to show an anti-war protest scene in which citizens actually protested against this war because they saw that it resulted in a high number of draftees be killed in a seemingly unwinnable situation that lost not only a hefty number of soldiers, but civilians as well. Another point that the film is able to portray accurately is the poor treatment that Vietnam veterans received from the American public and how the government took a lack of action in the form of inadequate medical care, lack of support for disabled veterans, and the neglect for mental health needs. These points in the film are historically accurate for the portrayal of what actually transpired during the aftermath of the Vietnam War. -Alex

Born on the Fourth of July succeeds as a historically accurate film for a number of reasons, but what I found to be the most interesting was its depiction of the enthusiasm of the men and women of America to get involved in the Vietnam conflict. As is articulated by Philip Caputo, many of the young men of the United States were enraptured by the words of men like President Kennedy, by the concept of American Exceptionalism, and by the perceived threat that Communism presented. As far as they were concerned, Vietnam was a sure thing, and was a just cause that would allow for the blossoming of liberty. Ron Kovic and his high school friends exemplify this idealistic perception of fighting overseas well during the first portion of the movie, and unfortunately, quite a few of them fail to make it home. - John M.

This film portrays the political tensions of the time well - with the pro-war camp calling the anti-war crowds communists, and the protests being violently broken up. The horrific experiences Ronnie went through during the war were not entirely uncommon for soldiers at the time. The treatment of veterans following the war was unfortunately accurate. Real world events are referenced like the Kent State shooting. Lastly, from our journey from the 50’s to the 70’s, everything looks authentic in this film.  - Owen

There were some good historical accuracies in the film Born on the Fourth of July. Firstly, the film shows how poorly Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned to the United States. It is shown in the movie in many ways but one being as social rejection. It also, in my opinion, illustrates the sense of isolation that many veterans had and the ignorance of a society split on the war. Secondly, it does a good job at showing the anti-war movement. It reflects the growing unhappiness of veterans who now opposed the war in the 60s/70s. Kovic was shown as loving his nation, but he was disappointed in the government for their deceit and things like increased death in combat. Which is historically accurate, there were many reasons for the anti-war movement like escalation of deaths, war being unmoral, and lying from the government. (Hannah E.)

Born on The Fourth Of July is probably one of the most historically accurate movie we have watched in this class. The film shows the unfortunate ways veterans were treated after the war and how the government wasn’t willing to give the support it should have. I believe the film shows the effects of PTSD on war veterans as well. Communism was seen as the biggest issue in the world and that America needed to do anything they could to stop it, and didn’t think about the consequences the soldiers had to face, like Ron. -Leah B.

This film seemed to be very historically accurate. It is based on one person’s lived experience, which makes it more individualized and difficult to dispute, as this is the way Kovic experienced the war and his reintegration into civilian life. Despite this, it is also likely that this is a fairly accurate depiction of many Vietnam veterans’ experiences following their service. One scene in particular that was likely a fairly common experience for soldiers at the time is the parade scene, where Kovic is overwhelmed and his PTSD is triggered by the crowds, in particular the sound of a baby crying. There was likely greater pressure to create an accurate narrative as well, as these were fairly recent events at the time the film was made and many Vietnam veterans were likely still alive to see this film. - Rickie

On my initial watch of this film, there wasn’t anything that jumped out at me that seemed glaringly inaccurate. This movie focuses on the life of Ron Kovic, who wrote the autobiography that the movie is based off of. Ron was highly involved in the creation of this movie (he was a co-writer of the script, I believe) and you can tell that himself and the other filmmakers took great strides to preserve historical accuracy. I’ve been reading up on Kovic’s life after finishing the movie and the movie stays fairly accurate to his lived experience. One detail I enjoyed was the last scene, where Kovic is preparing to speak at the 1976 DNC. When he was on his way to the stage, a girl quickly asks for an autograph of his recently-published memoir, Born on the Fourth of July. The copy she handed him was identical to the 1st edition printings of that novel. -Allie

Born on the Fourth of July accurately reflects the Vietnam War era, particularly the struggles faced by veterans and the growing disillusionment with the war. The film captures the physical and emotional toll on soldiers, especially in its portrayal of Ron Kovic’s journey from patriotic enthusiasm to deep frustration with the government and society’s treatment of returning veterans. It also authentically depicts the anti-war movement, highlighting the protests and widespread opposition to U.S. involvement in Vietnam. By exploring themes of patriotism, disillusionment, and the personal cost of war, this film offers a  look at a turbulent period in American history. -Sam B

====== Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact? ======

Overall, Born on the Fourth of July did a good job of keeping lots of the movie historically accurate. They took some creative liberties, but after reading that Kovic looked over the script, one can assume he agreed that some of the changes wouldn’t affect the overall accuracy too much. One of the biggest things the film added on was Kovic’s visit to Wilson’s family in Georgia to explain his death. While it was one of the most emotional scenes in the movie, in real life he never did see them. During Kovic’s time in the hospital, the film showed him breaking his leg after working hard to walk again, which isn’t entirely true. Instead, he broke his leg in college after leaving the hospital. Another event that wasn’t fully true was Kovic’s PTSD episode while giving a speech at the parade. In his auto-biography, he said that he was up there on the grandstand, but in reality never gave a speech. However, it is true his friend Tommy took him away when the parade finished. Lastly, the film showed him launching a counterattack at Nixon’s convention after being rescued by his fellow protestors. The undercover cop arresting him actually did happen, but not at this protest. The counterattack also didn’t happen, where instead of one big event like that putting him on the map, he gained lots of his popularity from giving speeches and appearing on tv. -Matt S.

Though I felt that this movie was pretty accurate in its depiction, especially because Kovic was involved in the filmmaking, I do feel there were some liberties taken. In particular, I felt that this movie was very one-sided in its perspective, almost implying that every veteran after the war was anti-Vietnam. I don't think the depiction was inaccurate per say, I just think it was an overgeneralization of sorts. I'm not entirely sure how it could have been done better, as this movie was largely about one person's life - they couldn't have represented much more than that. - Caty

While Born on the Fourth of July captures important aspects of the Vietnam War era and veterans’ experiences, there are some issues with historical accuracy. One common critique is that the film simplifies or romanticizes certain elements of Ron Kovic’s story, potentially overlooking complexities such as the varying motivations of soldiers and the broader political context of the war. Additionally, the film does not fully address the diversity of opinions within the anti-war movement or the internal conflicts among returning veterans. Also some scenes, such as interactions between characters, may not fully represent historical events or the range of experiences of Vietnam War veterans. - Sam B

====== How does the film’s overall interpretation(s) deviate from scholarly historical sources? ======

The interpretation that this movie offers is one that often goes overlooked and is highly individualized. This movie tells the story of Ron Kovic during and after his time serving in Vietnam. In many ways Ron’s story is applicable to many Vietnam veterans, the depictions of the hard adjustments back to home life and the PTSD are a common phenomenon amongst veterans. In other ways, however, Ron’s story differs from a tale of the average veteran. I would say the main differences are that he was paralyzed and that he had a rise to prominence as an advocate for Veterans rights. - Ewan H

One of the sources for this week was interesting in the fact that it was a fiction. I didn't notice that until I went back to see what the title was, as I thought it was entirely true. In that source, the author narrates how one of the characters felt guilty that one of the other soldiers died because he wasn't paying attention (according to him). I saw this most closely represented in the movie with Kovic's guilt over killing the 19 year old soldier. Though it was two different depictions, I felt that this was accurate in the confusion and guilt that would happen during the war. Both of the soldiers who felt guilty felt that because they had made a mistake out of their control. Chaos and extreme violence surrounded them, and they had little control over their situation. Yet that doesn't erase the guilt over losing someone you're supposed to lead. I thought this example was depicted well in the movie, as it does happen in real life. - Caty

====== How does this movie work as a primary source about the time in which it was made? ======

Born on the Fourth of July provides some semblance of insight into how Americans in the mid-to-late 1980s were beginning to represent and come to terms with the Vietnam War. Vietnam was the first major military loss the United States had suffered, and it came at the cost of nearly 60,000 American lives. As such, it was undoubtedly a sore subject for the country at large, and Born on the Fourth of July indicates a willingness to examine that loss critically. In a sense, Born on the Fourth of July suggests that, by the late 1980s, people were willing to criticize the U.S. Government for their participation in a conflict that many believed we had no reason to be involved with. - John M.

Born on the Fourth of July’s distinctly anti-war focus on the suffering of a disabled Vietnam veteran demonstrates an extremely negative view of the Vietnam war that runs contrary to the general American social view of war as an honorable activity. The fact that it was such a mainstream movie tells us that in 1989, the attitude towards the Vietnam conflict was negative. It also tells us that enough time had passed since the actual conflict for its repercussions to be felt by people at home, which is the particular story this movie is telling. - Claire C.

During the 1980s, in which Born on the Fourth of July was made, there were still a lot of reflecting happening on the war. This is reflected in the film, offering a more thorough perspective on the war and its effects on both society and veterans. Additionally, this movie was made near the end of the Cold War during President Reagan. The film conveys a critique of the military actions and foreign policy tactics as the Cold War was coming to an end. (Hannah E.)

During the 1980s, people were still dealing with the effects of the Vietnam War. Veterans were beginning to come to terms with the war and what they had gone through. In general, society was shifting as well to one that allowed people (specifically men) to open up and be more emotional which allowed more soldiers to discuss their experiences. Another major thing that was happening in the 1980s was the Soviet Union’s involvement with Afghanistan. In 1989, the year this movie was released, the American embassy in Afghanistan was closed. This movie could also represent a sentiment or a warning against getting involved in another major conflict. --Emma F.

The film serves a primary source for the time period it was made it because it illustrates the changing views of the American people about the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on the soldiers that fought in it. The shift in Ron Kovic's views (from initially being someone that was ready and eager to fight in the war for his country, to eventually becoming disillusioned and anti-war due to the ramifications and horrors of the war) also highlight and mirror the public opinion held by citizens, and many other veterans who came back from the war, about the war and the unjustifiable nature of it. -Vumiliya Veriak 
====== The "So What" Question ======

The reason why we should care about this film is that it is important to understand what the Vietnam War veterans were experiencing not only on the battlefield, but upon their return home from combat. The soldiers that fight for the freedoms and liberties of the people of this country deserve the utmost of our respect when returning home and the fact that some do not receive this notion of recognition is saddening. The film’s purpose in educating the audience to this harsh reality I believe serves as a steppingstone for us to have a better level of respect for the soldiers that serve this country. -Alex

I think that this film matters because often historical movies, especially American history movies, depict a sort of larger than life or idealized version of American history. This movie serves as a kind of the opposite side of that coin, offering a tale of a sobering reality associated with a very somber portion of American history. There is merit in analyzing the idealized movies on their own, but analyzing this movie with the context that most other films don’t delve into the darker side of American history makes this film worth analyzing. - Ewan H

Born on the Fourth of July tells an important story not so much about war itself, but about war’s impact on the human psyche. Government abandonment of suffering veterans was a common enough experience that many pieces of media tell this story, such as Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. Seeing this experience in a particular case study, beginning to end, puts into perspective exactly what these veterans had to deal with on an individual level. - Claire C.

This film is very important in that it directly challenges pro-war nationalism with an incredibly nuanced telling of Ronnie’s conversion from gung-ho volunteer marine to outspoken anti-war advocate. Through the film’s brutal capturing of the events that Ronnie experienced, we see how the realities and horrors of war can truly transform a person both physically and emotionally. The VA gets called out (rightly so) with the chilling hospital sequence, and it’s important for people to see how poorly veterans were treated following the war. It’s also important for the public to see the anti-war perspective especially coming from someone who experienced it first-hand. - Owen

This movie critiques basically everything we, as Americans, have learned about the military, wars, and the supposed exceptionalism of our nation. This movie matters because of this. It’s not just a story about Don’s journey, but a powerful message for all Americans to examine the stories we’ve been fed more deeply. As someone who is decades removed from Vietnam, this movie really showed me the horrors of the war and the isolation these young, disabled veterans faced when they came home. -Allie

This movie is so important because I feel it shows the true horrors that veterans had to face, both in the war and after they returned home. It doesn’t have this tone of America can do no wrong like most movies based on America's history. It offers a perspective from someone who had to go through the horrors of war, and how maybe the anti-war protesters weren’t “communists”, like many believed. Also, it showed how the veterans didn’t get the respect and proper help and treatment after the war. -Leah B.

This film was striking and in many places, difficult to watch. Following one individual struggling to reintegrate into daily life and contending with issues of not feeling respected by his community members or the government made the film very sympathetic and shines a light on the very real struggles of men returning from the Vietnam War. These are important narratives because these are recent realities and by discussing what went wrong, we can attempt to provide better support for returning veterans now. - Rickie

This movie teaches many important lessons that Americans should know. One of the biggest is showing just how brutal war is. Events that happen in seconds can go on to affect someone for the rest of their lives, and this movie really portrayed that as the viewer saw what it did to Ron’s psyche. The war turned him into a completely different person, with one of the saddest things being that almost no one seemed to care. This was really evident at the hospital, where I thought this film did a detailed job of portraying how they took poor care of wounded veterans. Americans at home didn’t understand the brutality some of these soldiers went through, expecting them to go on with their lives as normal. Seeing this helps remind people that veterans didn’t just sacrifice during their time fighting, but as well as their lives after, having to  live with what they had to experience. -Matt S.

It is really important that the issues that were addressed in this film are brought to the fore. Today, more people understand the experiences of Vietnam veterans and how terrible the war truly was. However, a lot of what we know today is because of movies and personal accounts like these. Although Ron’s experience doesn’t apply to every Vietnam veteran, a lot of what he experienced does. Ron suffers from PTSD, substance abuse, and other problems that some people wouldn’t even consider such as coming to terms with the anti-war (and anti-American) sentiment. 
--Emma F.

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