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.

---

Plot Keywords:

dyslexia | motivation | college football | notre dame fighting irish | football movie | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life, Dan Devine was very supportive of Rudy and elected to put him in the game on his own. Because Devine considered Rudy a friend, he volunteered to play a villain in order to get the film greenlit.

---

Goofs

When Rudy is getting his mail, you can see Waddicks cafe behind him, which was not named that until the 1990s.

---

Quotes

Mateus: [at practice, Rudy remains on the ground after being pummeled on a block by Mateus] Hey, little buddy, you all right?
Coach Yonto: Ruettiger, get out!
Rudy: [springs up, refusing to be taken out] I can do it, coach!
Rudy: [play is run again, but Mateus refuses to block Rudy. Rudy confronts Mateus loudly] What are you doing? I'm playing defense for Purdue!
Coach Yonto: Mateus!
[grabs his facemask]
Coach Yonto: You ain't here to be no nanny in no kindergarten!

---

Crazy Credits

This 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 Versions

Severely cut TV version was disowned by director David Anspaugh. The credited director on this version is "Alan Smithee".

---

Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #30.191 (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Ring of Fire
Written by Merle Kilgore and June Carter Cash (as June Carter)
Performed by Johnny Cash
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Today's spoiled athletes should take notes

One of my favorite football movies of all time, this film follows in the long tradition of great sports movies which can uplift the spirit through means other than winning the big game and getting the girl or some other typical Hollywood convention. The music, cinematography and acting was excellent in this film, especially considering the terrible film choices Sean Astin had before embarking on this movie. While this was really an homage to Notre Dame football, a person could really look at Rudy and see a little of themselves inside the relatively small man. Charles Dutton had one of the greatest speeches in the history of sports cinema, and he should have gained more notoriety for his performance in this film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

22 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rudy

Filming Locations:

1718 E. 119th. Street, Whiting, Indiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$881,191, 17 October 1993

Gross USA:

$22,881,563

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,881,563

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1