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Sean Astin, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Lili Taylor, Jason Miller ... see more see more... , Robert Prosky , Jon Favreau , Scott Benjaminson , Ron Dean , Chelcie Ross , John Beasley , Gerry Becker , Lorenzo Clemons , Ron de Roxtra , John Duda , Diana James , Chris Olson , Chris Reed , Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. , Mary Ann Thebus , Kevin Thomas , Terri Zarodnick , Sean Grennan , Michael Sassone , Bob Swan , Johanna Ray , Richard Pagano , Debi Manwiller , Sharon Bialy , Charles Dutton

A young man learns to let nothing stop him from realizing his ambitions in this drama, based on a true story. Ever since he was a little boy, Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) has dreamed of attending Notre... read more read more... Dame University, and playing on the Fighting Irish football team. However, Rudy's dream doesn't seem very practical; Daniel (Ned Beatty), his father, works in a steel mill and can ill afford to send his son to Notre Dame, while Rudy's grades are not especially impressive, and standing a shade over five feet tall and weighing a little over 100 pounds, Rudy is hardly built for the gridiron. However, with the help of Father Cavanaugh (Robert Prosky), a sympathetic priest, Rudy is admitted to nearby Holy Cross, and in his junior year manages to squeak into Notre Dame as a transfer student. Rudy works as an assistant to the football stadium's groundskeeper, Fortune (Charles S. Dutton), to pay his tuition (often sleeping in Fortune's office since he can't afford a room), studies diligently, and appears at tryouts for the football team. Rudy is made a member of the practice team, which means he's little more than a human tackling dummy, but Coach Ara Parseghian (Jason Miller) is impressed with Rudy's devotion and determination, and pledges that he'll allow him to dress for one game before he graduates, so his name can be recorded as an official member of the team. However, the arrival of a new coach and a tough season that allows for few unnecessary players may put a stop to Rudy's dreams within sight of the finish line. Rudy also stars Jon Favreau, Lili Taylor, and Scott Benjaminson. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

88% liked it

112,559 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

37 critics

PG, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: David Anspaugh

Release Date: October 13, 1993

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 6,677 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (6,677)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 27, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Rudy is a well made and acted true story about Rudy Ruettiger a down on his luck student who dreams about going to Notre Dame University and playing for the Universities football team, The Fighting Irish. Unfortunately the odds are against him, and there's nothing but bad luck fo... read morer Rudy. But he perseveres to make his dreams a reality. Rudy is a well made film, but I saw so many films that followed the same path, that when I finally got around to watching Rudy, it seemed clichéd almost. However, what separates this film from the rest of real life "feel good movies" is that it surrounds a kid who beat all odds to attend Notre Dame, and there was some great acting here to boot. If you've seen some "feel good inspiring films" before, then you've seen Rudy, but for what it is, I felt that this story was better written and better told on screen than other films of this caliber. That's the difference from most "feel good" films. Sean Astin gives a terrific performance, and this one of his best roles. In Lord of the Rings, he was terrific, but slightly annoying. However in Rudy, Astin delivers a great, memorable performance. Rudy is a terrific film and though it's a "feel good" film, it manages to actually make you feel, despite its small imperfections. This is a terrific film about not giving up, and watching Rudy not let anything stand in his way is memorable.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 26, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Rudy is not just a tale of a brave and determined, its the most inspiring movie in film history, and the greatest sports film ever made. Rudy Ruttiger (Sean Astin) has had a long dream of playing football at Notre Dame, but everybody has always told him he couldn't do it, but eh... read moreen his best friend dies he decides to finally live his dream. The plot of this movie was genius, it took us through this real life story and was beautiful, and I will never forget Rudy Ruttiger. The cast was incredible, Sean Astin plays a Oscar worthy performance and has some of the most beautiful moments in film history. The score of this movie was perhaps the great film score in movie history, ever since I was young I have loved this music, and I csn honestly say this is about my #2 favorite film music ever. Rudy is too amazing to describe, and it is honestly (in my opinion) the greatest sports film in history.
  • erika250
    July 1, 2011
    erika250
    Rudy is about a guy who wanted to play football for the Notre Dame football team. When growing up people said that he does not have want it takes to get into Notre dame. One day he decides that he would not let people push him around any more. Then he begins on a hard journey ... read moreto make his dream some true. Will he make his dream come true or will he fail big time.
    Pros
    Good acting and plot.
    Really moving film.
    Based on a true story.
    If u wants a good drama you should give this a try.
  • Godless
    July 19, 2010
    Godless
    A cheesy feel good movie about a guy who later acts like a dick to local towns folk for his accomplishments made in the movie.
  • fb619846742
    November 12, 2009
    fb619846742
    One of the best sports movies ever made. Meant to review this a while ago. Yes, its typical, yes, it may be boring at times to some, but this is the perfect sports movie due to a character you really believe in, and a setting and group of characters who make sense. Sean Astin del... read moreivers a powerful, spirited performance that really makes you believe in Rudy. The ending scene, no matter if you like football, Astin, Notre Dame, whatever, should have you up on your feet. An absolute triumph.
  • hobster1
    June 12, 2008
    hobster1
    Uplifting football drama. First "Hoosiers", now this? David Anspaugh knows how to inspire his audience.
  • Chiefilms
    March 3, 2008
    Chiefilms
    "American" classic, the football version of Hoosiers, underdog victorious.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 2, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A story of determination, as an unlikely student named "Rudy" will keep pushing to play for Notre Dame college football. You just know he's going to win.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 22, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    classic sports flick. made me want to go to notre dame
  • fb1526363679
    December 2, 2011
    fb1526363679
    Rudy is not just a tale of a brave and determined, its the most inspiring movie in film history, and the greatest sports film ever made. Rudy Ruttiger (Sean Astin) has had a long dream of playing football at Notre Dame, but everybody has always told him he couldn't do it, but eh... read moreen his best friend dies he decides to finally live his dream. The plot of this movie was genius, it took us through this real life story and was beautiful, and I will never forget Rudy Ruttiger. The cast was incredible, Sean Astin plays a Oscar worthy performance and has some of the most beautiful moments in film history. The score of this movie was perhaps the great film score in movie history, ever since I was young I have loved this music, and I csn honestly say this is about my #2 favorite film music ever. Rudy is too amazing to describe, and it is honestly (in my opinion) the greatest sports film in history.

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Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
March 26, 2007
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

[A] well-crafted piece of middle-American uplift. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

For all its patness, the movie also has a gritty realism that is not found in many higher-priced versions of the same thing, and its happy ending is not the typical Hollywood leap into fantasy. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's Ruettiger's persistence that his teammates and the film celebrate. For that, Rudy earns a rousing cheer.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Astin's performance is so self-effacing, so focused and low-key, that we lose sight of the underdog formula and begin to focus on this dogged kid who won't quit. And the last big scene is an emotional... Full Review

Norman Chad
January 1, 2000
Norman Chad, Washington Post

The film is so uplifting, I felt like calling up Lou Holtz for brunch. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Indiana has been very good to director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The cheers in the audience at the end were genuine, which is testimony to the likability (although not necessarily the quality) of the film. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Astin gives these familiar doings the charm they need, as he pushes towards a virtually impossible goal. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 9, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Well acted but overly familiar and sentimental sports tale of the underdog Full Review

John A. Nesbit
February 24, 2011
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

continues to make life seem a little better Full Review

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    • Pete: Well, you know what my dad always said, 'having dreams is what makes life tolerable.'
    • Rudy Ruettiger: We're gonna go inside, we're gonna go outside, inside and outside. We're gonna get 'em on the run boys and once we get 'em on the run we're gonna keep 'em on the run. And then we're gonna go go go go go go and we're not gonna stop til we get across that goalline. This is a team they say is... is good, well I think we're better than them. They can't lick us, so what do you say men?
    • 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.
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Rudy Trivia

  • Rudy is about a football player at what university?  Answer »
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