Rudy (1993)
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84% of critics liked it
(37 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(112,559 ratings)
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… More 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 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
- Directed By
- David Anspaugh
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family
- In Theaters
- Oct 13, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
[A] well-crafted piece of middle-American uplift.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
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.
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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.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
It's Ruettiger's persistence that his teammates and the film celebrate. For that, Rudy earns a rousing cheer.
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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 powerhouse, just the way it's supposed to be.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sean Astin
as Rudy Ruettiger
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Ned Beatty
as Daniel Ruettiger
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Charles S. Dutton
as Fortune
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Lili Taylor
as Sherry
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Jason Miller
as Ara Parseghian
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Robert Prosky
as Father Cavanaugh
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Jon Favreau
as D-Bob
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Scott Benjaminson
as Frank
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Ron Dean
as Coach Yonto
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Chelcie Ross
as Dan Devine
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John Beasley
as Coach Warren
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Gerry Becker
as Father Ted
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Lorenzo Clemons
as High School Assistant Coach
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Ron de Roxtra
as Pressman
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John Duda
as Frank--Age 15
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Diana James
as Pick-up Girl
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Chris Olson
as Dan Dorman
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Chris Reed
as Pete
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Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
as Pete-Age 13
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Mary Ann Thebus
as Betty
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Kevin Thomas
as Player From Sidelines
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Terri Zarodnick
as Mrs. Connally
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Sean Grennan
as High School Assistant Coach
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Michael Sassone
as Guard
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Bob Swan
as Father Zajak
- Johanna Ray
- Richard Pagano
- Debi Manwiller
- Sharon Bialy
- Charles Dutton
- Vince Vaughn



