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Knute Rockne, All American

Play trailer Poster for Knute Rockne, All American 1940 1h 38m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Young Norwegian immigrant Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) enrolls at Notre Dame University and becomes the first star of its hitherto undistinguished football team, inventing the forward pass among other innovations. Coaching the team after his playing days are through, Rockne turns the school into a football powerhouse thanks in part to freshman halfback George Gipp (Ronald Reagan), whose sudden illness provides the team with its motivation to fight against a bigger, stronger opponent.
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Knute Rockne, All American

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Aug 23, 2016
As a memorial to a fine and inspiring molder of character in young men, this picture ranks high. Go to Full Review Entertainment Weekly Jan 25, 2008
Perhaps Ronald Reagan's greatest talent was his ability to float to the top. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Jan 25, 2008
Carries both inspirational and dramatic appeal on a wide scale. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Apr 24, 2025
3/10
This theatrical adaptation offers up minimal amusement, especially as it culminates in a drab committee hearing, a long-awaited vacation cut short, an untimely demise that mirrors that of the poor Gipper, and a somber speech. Go to Full Review Tim Dirks Filmsite Sep 29, 2019
A+
Knute Rockne: All American (1940) is the inspirational film biography of the famous and prominent Notre Dame football coach, Knute 'Rock' Rockne (Pat O'Brien). The immortalized coach is brought to life in this excellent, episodic film... Go to Full Review Jose Maria Santos Cine-Mundial Sep 16, 2019
The director Lloyd Bacon did a great job on recreating the environment. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael W. @MikeWolfe Jul 13, 2025 Wonderful film to watch. See more Sep 2, 2018 Work ethic, innovation, team building, faith, and family: this movie has it all. It's Frank Capra without the scope, and it's a very easy movie to absorb. Of course, the main draw to this movie these days is not Pat O'Brien (who does a capable job), but of Ronald Reagan. Again, Reagan's easy charm and charisma make George Gipp the most memorable supporting role in this movie. See more Jun 15, 2018 One of the best sports films you'll ever see. See more Jun 11, 2017 Solid history. But pacing is really off. Much too fast and disjointed See more May 27, 2015 good bio-pic & vehicle 4 Pat O'Brien with that big nose he sports See more Sep 28, 2014 I was really pleasantly surprised by this film by Lloyd Bacon. I'm not a follower of college football, but I had really liked/loved the nine other films of Bacon's I had seen, plus I was curious in seeing Ronald Reagan's acting. It was #27 in The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies' Top 100 as well, so I thought I'd take a chance. Very much recommended biopic of an American icon, recognized in sports and education for all of the RIGHT reasons. See more Read all reviews
Knute Rockne, All American

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Cast & Crew

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Lloyd Bacon

Director

Pat O'Brien

Knute Rockne

Ronald Reagan

George Gipp

Gale Page

Bonnie Skiles Rockne

Donald Crisp

Father John Callahan

Albert Basserman

Father Julius Nieuwland

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Knute Rockne, All American

Knute Rockne, All American (1940) Knute Rockne, All American (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Young Norwegian immigrant Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) enrolls at Notre Dame University and becomes the first star of its hitherto undistinguished football team, inventing the forward pass among other innovations. Coaching the team after his playing days are through, Rockne turns the school into a football powerhouse thanks in part to freshman halfback George Gipp (Ronald Reagan), whose sudden illness provides the team with its motivation to fight against a bigger, stronger opponent.
Director
Lloyd Bacon
Producer
Jack L. Warner, Hal B. Wallis
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 4, 1940, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
1h 38m
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