Ordinary World
Ten year old Kovic and his friends are playing in the woods, making pretend it is a war zone. To these young boys, the act of war appears to be glorified, honorable, patriotic, and exciting. The scene shifts to the Fourth of July parade that everyone in Kovic’s village attends. He lives in a very patriotic town where veterans are praised for their bravery and service. Later in the movie Kovic, a senior in high school, discusses future plans with his friends. He mentions that he is enlisting into the service further stating it is something he has always planned on doing.The audience is introduced to the hero (Ron Kovic) and learns of his ambition to join the military.
Ten year old Kovic and his friends are playing in the woods, making pretend it is a war zone. To these young boys, the act of war appears to be glorified, honorable, patriotic, and exciting. The scene shifts to the Fourth of July parade that everyone in Kovic’s village attends. He lives in a very patriotic town where veterans are praised for their bravery and service. Later in the movie Kovic, a senior in high school, discusses future plans with his friends. He mentions that he is enlisting into the service further stating it is something he has always planned on doing.The audience is introduced to the hero (Ron Kovic) and learns of his ambition to join the military.
The Call to Adventure
Two Sergeants, Sergeant Hayes and Sergeant Bower, attend Ron's high school to talk about the United States Marine Corp. The pitch they give is, "We want the best, and we'll accept nothing but the best because there is nothing prouder, nothing finer, nothing standing as straight as a United States marine. Now they've got the army, they've got the navy, they've got the air force, and if you want to join them be my guest; but if you want a challenge, if you want to try something difficult, if you want to try to achieve the impossible, you try thirteen weeks of hell at Paris Island, South Carolina and you find out if you got what it takes, you find out if you really are a man, and the marines may be what you are looking for." Sergeant Hayes describes the marines as a challenge, or a quest to undertake.
Two Sergeants, Sergeant Hayes and Sergeant Bower, attend Ron's high school to talk about the United States Marine Corp. The pitch they give is, "We want the best, and we'll accept nothing but the best because there is nothing prouder, nothing finer, nothing standing as straight as a United States marine. Now they've got the army, they've got the navy, they've got the air force, and if you want to join them be my guest; but if you want a challenge, if you want to try something difficult, if you want to try to achieve the impossible, you try thirteen weeks of hell at Paris Island, South Carolina and you find out if you got what it takes, you find out if you really are a man, and the marines may be what you are looking for." Sergeant Hayes describes the marines as a challenge, or a quest to undertake.
Refusal of the Call
Two people are hesitant on Ron's decision to join the marines. The first is his friend Steve Boyer and the second is his father. When Steve hears of Ron's decision he says "You should think about what your doing you know Ronny...It could be dangerous over there, you know, you could get yourself killed, did you ever think about that?" His father says "I don't know, 13,000 miles, it's a long way to go and fight a war. I just hope they send you to Europe or Korea or some place safe. Both Steve and Mr. Kovic express some hesitance and fear about Ron going to war.
Two people are hesitant on Ron's decision to join the marines. The first is his friend Steve Boyer and the second is his father. When Steve hears of Ron's decision he says "You should think about what your doing you know Ronny...It could be dangerous over there, you know, you could get yourself killed, did you ever think about that?" His father says "I don't know, 13,000 miles, it's a long way to go and fight a war. I just hope they send you to Europe or Korea or some place safe. Both Steve and Mr. Kovic express some hesitance and fear about Ron going to war.
Meeting with the Mentor
After Ron's father expresses hesitance about Ron going to Vietnam, Mrs. Kovic reassures Ron that he is making the right decision. She says, "You're right Ronny, you're doing the right thing. Communism has to be stopped. It's God's will you go."
After Ron's father expresses hesitance about Ron going to Vietnam, Mrs. Kovic reassures Ron that he is making the right decision. She says, "You're right Ronny, you're doing the right thing. Communism has to be stopped. It's God's will you go."
Crossing the Threshold
There is no specific scene that depicts Ron entering the "special world." The camera transitions from Ron at his high school prom, to him in Vietnam near the Cua Viet River in October of 1967.
There is no specific scene that depicts Ron entering the "special world." The camera transitions from Ron at his high school prom, to him in Vietnam near the Cua Viet River in October of 1967.
Test, Allies, and Enemies
While Ron is in Vietnam fighting the war, the Viet-Cong are his enemies, and the members of his unit are his allies. After the war, however, the government could be considered an enemy because Ron realizes that everything he has been told is a lie.
While Ron is in Vietnam fighting the war, the Viet-Cong are his enemies, and the members of his unit are his allies. After the war, however, the government could be considered an enemy because Ron realizes that everything he has been told is a lie.
The Approach
Kovic becomes disoriented and confused following his unit's attack on an innocent village full of women and children. He sees the effects of their misguided actions and is unable to comprehend the result. He focuses on trying to save one last surviving baby, but his commander told him they need to retreat. The Viet- Cong shortly after attacked. Kovic is confronting death, failure, defeat in this scene.
Kovic becomes disoriented and confused following his unit's attack on an innocent village full of women and children. He sees the effects of their misguided actions and is unable to comprehend the result. He focuses on trying to save one last surviving baby, but his commander told him they need to retreat. The Viet- Cong shortly after attacked. Kovic is confronting death, failure, defeat in this scene.
The Ordeal
The central crisis of the story is when Kovic is shot during the retreat from the village. He believes he is going to die, but a member of his unit drags him to safety. He is transferred to a medical facility where a man comes to give Kovic his last rights. He again tastes death.
The central crisis of the story is when Kovic is shot during the retreat from the village. He believes he is going to die, but a member of his unit drags him to safety. He is transferred to a medical facility where a man comes to give Kovic his last rights. He again tastes death.
Reward
After Kovic's return to the Unites States as a paralyzed veteran, he visits his friend Donna at Syracuse University. It is here where he gets his first glimpse at an anti-war rally. He sees police officers brutally beating the protestors and he watches as Donna is being dragged away by a police officer. He finally begins to realize and to understand the lies the government has told the people.
After Kovic's return to the Unites States as a paralyzed veteran, he visits his friend Donna at Syracuse University. It is here where he gets his first glimpse at an anti-war rally. He sees police officers brutally beating the protestors and he watches as Donna is being dragged away by a police officer. He finally begins to realize and to understand the lies the government has told the people.
The Road Back
Kovic confronts Charlie (Viet- Cong) for the last time in his wheelchair fight with Charlie (veteran) in Mexico. They fight until they are both exhausted. He finally has his last confrontation with Charlie, and he begins a new constructive path in life with a different perspective rather than the self-destructive path he was previously on.
Kovic confronts Charlie (Viet- Cong) for the last time in his wheelchair fight with Charlie (veteran) in Mexico. They fight until they are both exhausted. He finally has his last confrontation with Charlie, and he begins a new constructive path in life with a different perspective rather than the self-destructive path he was previously on.
The Resurrection
Kovic's first stop on his new path is the Wilson household. He tells the family that he killed their son in the confusion of a battle. He receives understanding but not forgiveness. Nevertheless, this confession purifies and redeems Kovic. It is a huge relief for him to finally disclose what he has been suppressing.
Kovic's first stop on his new path is the Wilson household. He tells the family that he killed their son in the confusion of a battle. He receives understanding but not forgiveness. Nevertheless, this confession purifies and redeems Kovic. It is a huge relief for him to finally disclose what he has been suppressing.
Return with the Elixir
Following Ron's confession he participates and advocates in anti-war rallies. When he is protesting at the Republican National Convention he exposes what is really going on in Vietnam and his feelings regarding the government. Four years later, in 1976, he speaks at the Democratic National Convention in New York.
Following Ron's confession he participates and advocates in anti-war rallies. When he is protesting at the Republican National Convention he exposes what is really going on in Vietnam and his feelings regarding the government. Four years later, in 1976, he speaks at the Democratic National Convention in New York.