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Rudy (1993)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 37
Fresh: 31 | Rotten: 6

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 2

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 112,559

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Movie Info

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 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

PG, 1 hr. 54 min.

Drama, Kids & Family

Directed By: David Anspaugh

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1993 Wide

On DVD: Aug 28, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Rudy Trailer & Photos

Cast

Sean Astin
Rudy Ruettiger
Ned Beatty
Daniel Ruettiger
Charles S. Dutton
Fortune
Lili Taylor
Sherry
Jason Miller
Ara Parseghian
Robert Prosky
Father Cavanaugh
Jon Favreau
D-Bob
Scott Benjaminson
Frank
Ron Dean
Coach Yonto
Chelcie Ross
Dan Devine
John Beasley
Coach Warren
Gerry Becker
Father Ted
Lorenzo Clemons
High School Assistant C...
Ron de Roxtra
Pressman
John Duda
Frank--Age 15
Diana James
Pick-up Girl
Chris Olson
Dan Dorman
Chris Reed
Pete
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
Pete-Age 13
Mary Ann Thebus
Betty
Kevin Thomas
Player From Sidelines
Terri Zarodnick
Mrs. Connally
Sean Grennan
High School Assistant C...
Michael Sassone
Guard
Bob Swan
Father Zajak
Johanna Ray
Richard Pagano
Debi Manwiller
Sharon Bialy
Charles Dutton

Critic Reviews for Rudy

All Critics (38) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (6) | DVD (11)

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

March 26, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Stephen Holden

New York Times

Top Critic

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

May 12, 2001 Comment

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

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 powerhouse, just the way it's supposed to be.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

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

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comments (2)

Norman Chad

Washington Post

Top Critic

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

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Richard Harrington

Washington Post

Top Critic

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

August 9, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

continues to make life seem a little better

February 24, 2011 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

| Comment

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

Inspiring sports film about a real life underdog.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Scott G. Mignola

Common Sense Media

With its faithful rendering of a true inspirational story, Rudy earns its sentiment...an irresistable inspirational movie for all ages. [Blu-ray]

September 28, 2008 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews

| Comment

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews Source: Groucho Reviews

Rudy has a wide appeal because it's more inspirational film than sports film.

September 8, 2008 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Sean Astin is utterly winning...

May 29, 2008 Full Review Source: Movieline

| Comment

Stephen Farber

Movieline

An inconsequential, if moving, contribution to the sports-movie genre.

March 26, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Directed with composure, but no great fervour, the film's conspicuously uninterested in American football, and much concerned with testing the limits and the resilience of the American dream.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment (1)

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Shamelessly manipulative, but who cares when it's so damn uplifting?

September 21, 2005 Comment

Gabe Leibowitz

eCinemaCenter.com

An uplifting and inspiring battle-against-the-odds movie

March 31, 2005 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

seriously heartwarming

September 19, 2004 Comment

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Perhaps the greatest sports movie in film history.

June 30, 2004 Comment

Audrey Rock-Richardson

Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Rudy

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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 for Rudy. But he perseveres to make his

August 27, 2011

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

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 ehen his best friend dies he decides to

March 12, 2011

Brad Wright

Super Reviewer

Rudy Quotes

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1. Pete: Well, you know what my dad always said, 'having dreams is what makes life tolerable.'
– Submitted by Roberto P (7 months ago)
1. 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?
– Submitted by Roberto P (7 months ago)
1. 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.
– Submitted by Roberto P (7 months ago)