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.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.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.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDaniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger: In the final six minutes of the film, the real-life Rudy as a Notre Dame fan sitting in the football stands. While the crowd is shouting "Rudy, Rudy," the camera points to the crowd then cuts to a close-up of Rudy's "father" and "brother." Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger can be seen to the left of his "father" (Ned Beatty). Rudy is wearing a plaid driving cap and a dark coat with a white fur collar. Later during the cheering, his father turns and playfully bats at the real Rudy.
- GoofsCoach Dan Devine actually insisted that Rudy play in the final game.
- Quotes
Fortune: You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have barely a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football players in the land for 2 years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself. And after what you've gone through, if you haven't done that by now, it ain't gonna never happen. Now go on back.
- Crazy creditsThis is one of the few films in which the infamous "Alan Smithee" is given directorial credit for ONLY the commercial TV version. If viewed on VHS, DVD, pay cable etc... David Anspaugh is given his proper credit as director in the opening credits. However the editing for extra commercials on the free TV version is done so heavily -which alters the context- that Mr Smithee is the "director" when this film is shown there.
- Alternate versionsSeverely cut TV version was disowned by director David Anspaugh. The credited director on this version is "Alan Smithee".
- SoundtracksNotre Dame Victory March
Written by John F. Shea and Michael J. Shea (as Rev. Michael J. Shea)
Performed by The Notre Dame Glee Club (as University of Notre Dame Glee Club)
Courtesy of University of Notre Dame
Review
Featured review
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.
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.
helpful•132
- bob the moo
- Nov 3, 2003
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