Rudy Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
When people say dreams don't come true, tell them about Rudy
Sometimes a winner is a dreamer who just won't quit.
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, It's the size of the fight in the dog.
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.
| 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 |
| David Anspaugh |
7.30 out of 10 (14039 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Inspiring
posted on 27 Aug 2009This is one of the best sports movies of all-time and one of the most motivational movies I have ever seen, as well. When it is over, you are left with the feeling that you are ready to take on the world. The acting was excellent (everybody loves "Roc") and the settings were beautiful. It makes me proud as hell to be a part of such a community. Go Irish!
Good football film
posted on 15 Aug 2009Rudy soars as it truly shows anyone can do anything.This is great film about how we face the hardest struggles in life. Young Rudy must find the answer to his problems, and his coach comments that the answer he finds really applies to all areas of life.The film uses football as the playing field for life, and we see how each member of the team takes the answer for life into every aspect of his being, from school work, to family, to the grid iron.This film is first about how we are to live, and why we were created in the first place. Second, it's a great football film. Good action, but a love of football is not required to enjoy this film. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in knowing what life is all about.Rudy is for everyone. Congrats to David the director and to Sean Astin - great acting!
Th best sports movie ever filmed.
posted on 17 May 2009This movie is one of the greatest ever made. It is about this small boy with a dream. He wants to play football. In high school, he was the smallest player on his team, but he had the most tackles. It is a story with a lesson on "If you have heart, you can do anything." Rudy is a great character. Nice, Quiet, Simple. It was really motivating. The way the coach promises to let Rudy dress for one game that season, but then retires. It was really interesting how all the other players came up to the coach and asked him to let Rudy dress in their places. That seemed just awesome to me. The only thing Rudy really did wrong in the movie was to paint the helmets with Notre Dame. Only actual students are allowed to paint the helmets, and Rudy broke that rule. Rudy is a great inspiration to people everywhere and is a very powerful character. This is a great movie and I gave it a 10 out of 10.
Mateus character: #75 on ND in movie
posted on 14 May 2009This might be a reach as it is not listed anywhere, but isn't Mateus (aka #75 who starts the "Rudy" chant at the end of the movie) played by Patrick Warburton? The only listed Notre Dame players in the current IMDb credits are Al Snow and Matt Gallini, but as far as I can tell those two actors play two other players from the team. Any thoughts?? Can anyone confirm this??Shouldn't the actor who played Mateus be credited? The "Rudy" chant scene at the end of this movie is one of the most epic sports movie scenes of all time. I found it extremely odd that it was (and might still be) so difficult to pin down who exactly played him.
Absolutely Fantastic!
posted on 27 Mar 2009I saw this movie for the first time when I was in middle school some years back. Back then they showed every student this movie in the seventh grade, but I really fell in love with it. I remember just being in awe and really getting into it.Especially seeing as I'm a girl and girls don't like football or sports movies. But its one really transcends genders. The music really plays a key part and can move you to tears. The acting was spot on and its impossible not to identify with Rudy.Its the type of movie that when someone says they don't really care for it, you're like"That's blasphemy!" How could you not like it? Plus there are some great appearances by some movie stars, before they made it big. Every time I watch this movie or hear the music, I'am inspired.
The most inspirational Movie...A must see for all dreamers!
posted on 03 Mar 2009Rudy is a fantastic movie. It touches the heart, and shows you that no matter what the odds are, you can always acheive your goals/dreams. This has been a very influentual movie for me. Sean Astin's preformance is absolutly fantastic, and well played. He was the perfect choice for the role of Rudy. If you have a dream that you think is impossible, rent this movie and you will soon learn that indeed nothing is impossible! Way to go RUDY!!!! Perhaps one day i can meet both actor and the inspiration of the movie and shake their hands and say thank you for the lesson.
Rudy shines!
posted on 13 Feb 2009Rudy is an outstanding film. It is so much more than just a "football movie." It is a great portrait of Notre Dame Football at its best, The brewing, underdog tensions of the film are excellently portrayed in a very real way. After their initial mistrust and hostility, the players' realizations that they are a team and not that different after all is really riveting to watch, Each of the prominent players has a distinct personality and is portrayed very well. I can't say how great this film is for everybody, not just football fans. I think this film deserves to at least be nominated for a best picture Academy Award, and possibly best adapted screenplay as well. I give it a 10 out of 10.Sean Astin did a pheonmenal job!
stand up and cheer
posted on 10 Feb 2009Rudy is the true story of a guy whose dream is to play football for Notre Dame. Everyone tells him that it'll never happen, he's not smart enough to attend the college, and not a good enough player to make the team even if he did get in. Sean Astin gives a great performance as Rudy. This movie always makes me want to stand-up and cheer. My score-8.
Better than "Rocky"
posted on 08 Jan 2009This movie was dubbed a football version of "Rocky" except for one exception --it is an actual true story!! If you can watch "Rudy" and not have a lump in your throat during several scenes, especially the ending, then you are a hard to please critic!! This movie deserved much better than the 7.1 than the "critics" gave it. Sean Austin did a magnificent job playing overachieving Rudy and for those who ridiculed the fact that he only played a few seconds at the end of a lopsided game missed the whole point of the story. Rudy's dream was to play football at Notre Dame and earn everyone's respect (including his doubting family). With his lack of talent for both academics and athletics, the mere fact that he was even admitted into Notre Dame after struggling so hard to get good grades at Holy Cross (the Junior College Rudy went to in an attempt to prove himself worthy of Notre Dame since he had been out of High School for several years and made poor grades in High School.) He overcame his learning problems that had held him back in High School and this was a monumental achievement in itself. The scene where he was finally admitted into Notre Dame on his final attempt (he had been rejected 3 earlier times) was uplifting indeed. Rudy overcame reading difficulties thru hard work much the same way he overcame his lack of size to make the Notre Dame's football team --thru a gut-busting, never quit attitude. His teammates were so impressed with his attitude that they forced the coach (Dan Devine, a real jerk in the movie) to dress him for the final game. The final scene where the entire stadium was hollering "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy" in an effort to get him into the game at the end was spine-tingling! Rudy busting thru the line to sack the quarterback at the end of the game and get carried off the field with the stadium going nuts chanting his name---Well, movies don't get any better than this. And all this really happened!! Amazing how one of the best stories ever told in movies involve an "average Joe" who achieved his dream thru hard work----a Horatio Alger story indeed--10 out of 10 definitely ---For some of you "critics" that rated it worse than a "7" --you should take a class in movie critic reviews --you definitely would flunk my class if you gave this one a worse score than that!!
Love of football and the underdog!!
posted on 27 Dec 2008I love the game of football. I played it throughout high school and am now playing it in college. And this movie gave me an even greater love for football, because it gave shorter guys like me hope. Knowing that someone this short could make it that far, through his hard work and dedication, made me feel like a 5 foot 9 inch guy like me could do the same if i tried. And I just truly enjoyed the storyline and how he got his chance to play. His whole life people told him that he was too short and too skinny (not strong enough, etc.). And he ignored that, and that is why this became one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. I also enjoyed the acting by Sean Astin and all the supporting actors who made this film magical. I recommend this movie to all football fans, and especially Notre Dame or underdog fans.
OK
posted on 15 Dec 2008Not a bad movie, by any means, and well acted by Astin, at least - everyone else tends to fade into the background. My tolerance for noble, uplifting stories was tested by it, though. But then, I think any movie that ends with SPOILER ALERT a Notre Dame victory END SPOILER ALERT has a tragic ending, so.....
Sean Astin delivers a Feel-Good movie
posted on 28 Oct 2008This movie grabbed me, the first time I saw it. Sean Astin delivers a grand performance as Rudy. I've always loved Sean Astin ever since he was Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and as soon as I saw this movie, I knew that this is Sean's best role ever. I recommend this to anyone who has seen The Lord of the Rings or to anyone who is interested in a great movie.
Better than "Rocky"
posted on 19 Oct 2008This movie was dubbed a football version of "Rocky" except for one exception --it is an actual true story!! If you can watch "Rudy" and not have a lump in your throat during several scenes, especially the ending, then you are a hard to please critic!! This movie deserved much better than the 7.1 than the "critics" gave it. Sean Austin did a magnificent job playing overachieving Rudy and for those who ridiculed the fact that he only played a few seconds at the end of a lopsided game missed the whole point of the story. Rudy's dream was to play football at Notre Dame and earn everyone's respect (including his doubting family). With his lack of talent for both academics and athletics, the mere fact that he was even admitted into Notre Dame after struggling so hard to get good grades at Holy Cross (the Junior College Rudy went to in an attempt to prove himself worthy of Notre Dame since he had been out of High School for several years and made poor grades in High School.) He overcame his learning problems that had held him back in High School and this was a monumental achievement in itself. The scene where he was finally admitted into Notre Dame on his final attempt (he had been rejected 3 earlier times) was uplifting indeed. Rudy overcame reading difficulties thru hard work much the same way he overcame his lack of size to make the Notre Dame's football team --thru a gut-busting, never quit attitude. His teammates were so impressed with his attitude that they forced the coach (Dan Devine, a real jerk in the movie) to dress him for the final game. The final scene where the entire stadium was hollering "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy" in an effort to get him into the game at the end was spine-tingling! Rudy busting thru the line to sack the quaterback at the end of the game and get carried off the field with the stadium going nuts chanting his name---Well, movies don't get any better than this. And all this really happened!! Amazing how one of the best stories ever told in movies involve an "average Joe" who achieved his dream thru hard work----a Horatio Alger story indeed--10 out of 10 definitely ---For some of you "critics" that rated it worse than a "7" --you should take a class in movie critic reviews --you definitely would flunk my class if you gave this one a worse score than that!!
I've been ready for this my whole life!!!
posted on 25 Sep 2008In 1995 I started to show this movie to all of my Health classes! The students continued to fall in love with the story and of course Notre Dame. We started taking class trips out to ND from NJ. and I credit this movie with opening a whole new world to our students. The students actually raised money and have Rudy come to speak to our entire school population. Every student that has gone through our school since 1995 has seen this movie, and will remember it for the rest of their lives! The great musical score is a fantastic reminder, and will enable people to recall the movie and it's powerful story! It's a movie for everyone. Rudy represents the little guy in life, and the little guy makes it happen! This movie will be inspiring others to follow Rudy's example for many years to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go Irish
FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS!
posted on 26 Aug 2008A film about football..."I don't think so." After much prompting by my mother, I sat and watched RUDY, which I simply knew would be a waste of my time...... Never in my life was I so shocked. This is my all time favorite movie!! The acting was superb, story was fantastic...everything was just wonderful. The very best thing about this movie is it shows, in my opinion, the next big movie star in the making. SEAN ASTIN is the next Robert DiNero!!!! This young man is outstanding. I can not say enough about him or this movie. I encourage EVERYONE to see RUDY.
The only football movie I actually liked...
posted on 23 Aug 2008I usually don't care for movies that are just about a sport and how a team must struggle, blah blah blah. But to my amazement I actually enjoyed this film for what it is:****Spoiler****A kid who wants to be a good football player but is not big enough to be pro, but proves them all wrong by winning the final game for his team.****End of Spoiler****The movie was very well executed with great acting, a nice plot, and very well directed. Usually movies about a sport aren't well made and are usually just boring (Remember the titans). But this was a great film. Sean Astin is one of my favorite actors and that's probably why I liked the film. It wouldn't of worked without him. 8/10
People lose sight of the true meaning of this fantastic movie!
posted on 20 Aug 2008Although I think that Rudy is one of the best movies of all time, I think that most people lose sight of the true meaning. But first, let me say that I am among the thousands of people who cried when they watched this movie for the first time and that I really wanted him to succeed all through watching it, but too many people only look at the direction or acting in this movie. It is about the story. Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger is from my hometown, I know some of his relatives (my sister is best friends with his niece and his brother teaches at my high school), and I have been to his high school many times. It is no longer Joliet Catholic High School, like it was back then, but within the last decade, it became Joliet Catholic Academy. Back then it was only a boys' school, the girls went to St. Francis, but I am getting side tracked. Like I said earlier, Rudy is about the story. It is about a kid who desperatly wants to play football for Notre Dame, and after years of heartache and triumph, gets into Notre Dame and doesn't even suit up until the last game, due to his teammates bravery and courage. Everyone in this movie is fantastic, from the quite tubby Jon Favreau to Sean Astin as Rudy. I will definitely see it again, but remember people, don't forget Rudy's story.
Feel good movie worth a look
posted on 08 Aug 2008I was a bit reluctant to give 'Rudy' a look since I'm not a great football fan. But I gave it a try and I was more than
pleased with it. Although it's a bit one dimensional, you cannot help but feel for this guy who's dream is to play for the Notre Dame team.A great feel good movie.
Excellent for use in the classroom
posted on 30 Aug 2009I use this movie in my 9th grade civics class while teaching life's success principles - Rudy, at least in the movie, demonstrates all of these principles: Character, Courage, Contribution, Commitment and Caring. And the value of following your dreams. It's a fabulous movie for this purpose. We take the students through the definitions of these life success principles and have them write about how Rudy demonstrates these. Even though it's a football movie, all of the students are involved because of the drama's compelling nature. The ending, of course, is a great cheesy bit of work, but often leaves students, as well as teachers, in tears.