Rudy (1993)

Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame.

Director:

David Anspaugh

Writer:

Angelo Pizzo

Stars:

Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Astin	...	Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger
Jon Favreau	...	D-Bob
Ned Beatty	...	Daniel Ruettiger
Greta Lind	...	Mary
Scott Benjaminson	...	Frank Ruettiger
Mary Ann Thebus	...	Betty
Charles S. Dutton	...	Fortune
Lili Taylor	...	Sherry
Christopher Reed	...	Pete
Deborah Wittenberg	...	Young Sherry
Christopher Erwin	...	7-Year-Old Mark
Kevin Duda	...	9-Year-Old Bernie
Robert Benirschke	...	11-Year-Old Mark
Luke Massery	...	13-Year-Old Rudy
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.	...	13-Year-Old Pete

Storyline

Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

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Plot Keywords:

football | college football | one word title | orchestral music score | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes a winner is a dreamer who just won't quit.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bourák

Filming Locations:

Holy Cross College - 54515 State Road 933 N., Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$22,750,363 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the Priests and miscellaneous Notre Dame employees in the movie are actual Notre Dame employees.

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Goofs

As Rudy walks away from stadium, automobiles obviously more recent than 1971-1975 can be seen.

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Quotes

Steele: I want Rudy to dress in my place Coach. He deserves it.
Dan Devine: [laughs] Don't be ridiculous, Georgia Tech is one of the top offense teams in the country.
[Steele continues to stand and stare at the Devine]
Dan Devine: You are an All-American and our Captain, act like it!
Steele: I believe I am.
[lays his jersy down on Devine's desk and walks out]

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Saw VI/Cirque du Freak/The Vampire's Assistant/Amelia (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Run Through the Jungle"
Written by John Fogerty
Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival

User Reviews

Too sentimental but a good look at the American Dream

Every since he was a boy, Rudy Ruettiger has dreamed that he would play football for Notre Dame college. However his grades are low in high school and he misses out – ending up at his dad's steel mill. When his closest friend is killed on the job, Rudy sets out to follow his dream and enlists at Holy Cross college to get his grades and takes on jobs within Notre Dame to make his dream come true.

I taped this as I thought it would be the traditional sports movie where the underdog comes through to win the big game at the key moment. Happily this film aspires to be more than that and is very obvious that it has no desire to be a football film, in fact the game isn't really shown until the final few moments of the film. Of more interest is the look at Rudy's dream and how it is very difficult to reach, he has to work very hard to get his dream, it isn't something that he is entitled too or has dropped in his lap – it is an American Dream build on work and persistence. The story is inspiring but is also mixed in reality – Rudy's dream amounts to one tackle and 8 seconds of game time. This took away a little from his story, but also it made it a better ending – his appearance is in a game already won with only seconds left, but it's HIS dream.

The film is way too sentimental and mawkish at times, but it's strong theme still makes it work and be enjoyable. The cast do a good job on the whole but it is Astin's movie and he does a great job in the lead, maybe only being a bit too nice at times. Favreau is OK in a small role, as is Beatty but Taylor has almost nothing to do and barely shows her face. Dutton is good as always. However the film does rest of Astin's abilities and he does it well.

Overall this is a good sports movie except it isn't really a sports movie. Despite it being sentimental and slightly predictable it is still a good story of chasing a dream and fair comment on the fact that the `American Dream' is not just something that happens, it is something to be worked on and chased, and even then – not everyone's dream will result in them being rich etc, but, it says, in America, if you work hard and persevere, then anything is possible.