USA Network today announced that “Born on the Fourth of July” will be the next classic added to the Characters Unite Film Series, designed to raise a dialogue to promote greater tolerance and acceptance. In commemoration of Memorial Day, the groundbreaking film will air on USA Network, Saturday, May 23rd at 7/6c and feature a special, new introduction from lead actor Tom Cruise, who received a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination for his role. The Academy Award-winning film follows the autobiographical story of Ron Kovic (Cruise), a native New Yorker who, upon graduating from high school enlists in the Marine Corps, suffers a crippling injury during his tour in Vietnam and faces indifference and discrimination when he returns home.
“‘Born on the Fourth of July’ is a powerful look at the challenges faced by our nation’s veterans, not only in battle but long afterwards,” said Bonnie Hammer, Chairman, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “It’s a timely reminder this Memorial Day weekend of the respect we owe the young men and women who sacrifice so much in these perpetually troubled times.”
Inspired by Kovic’s best-selling autobiography of the same name, “Born on the Fourth of July” pays tribute to a brave soldier, who returns home from his tour of duty confined to a wheelchair. Enraged by his feelings of betrayal by the country for which he served, he becomes an anti-war activist. The 1989 Oscar-winning film for Best Director and Best Film Editing garnered critical acclaim for its role in shedding light on the discrimination and injustice facing veterans.
“Born on the Fourth of July” is the ninth film in the successful Characters Unite Film Series, which launched in April 2012 with “To Kill a Mockingbird” featuring an introduction by President Barack Obama. Additional films in the series have included “The Color Purple,” with an introduction by the film’s star, Oscar-winner Whoopi Goldberg; “Schindler’s List,” featuring an introduction by the film’s director Steven Spielberg; “Milk,” with an introduction by Emmy® Award-winner and activist Neil Patrick Harris; “Philadelphia” introduced by President Bill Clinton; “In the Heat of the Night,” with an introduction by music icon Quincy Jones; “Do The Right Thing,” featuring an introduction by Rosie Perez; and “Glory” with a special introduction from Emmy Award-winner Andre Braugher.
