Rudy
Tags: inspiring

Plot synopsis:
In the early 1970s, Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger grows up in Joliet, Illinois dreaming of playing college football at the University of Notre Dame. Though he is achieving some success with his local high school team (Joliet Catholic), he lacks the grades and money necessary to attend Notre Dame, as well as the talent and physical stature to play football for a major intercollegiate program.
Ruettiger takes a job at a local steel mill like his father Daniel Sr., a Notre Dame fan, and two of his older brothers who worked there after high school. When his best friend Pete, who always supported his dream of playing football for Notre Dame, is killed in an explosion at the mill, Rudy decides to follow his dream of attending Notre Dame and playing for the Fighting Irish.
He travels to South Bend, Indiana to the campus but fails to get admitted to Notre Dame. With the help and sponsorship of a local priest, Rudy enrolls at Holy Cross College, a nearby junior college, hoping to get good enough grades to qualify for a transfer. He approaches a Notre Dame stadium groundskeeper named Fortune and volunteers to work for free. Fortune offers a job at minimum wage. Having no place to live, Rudy sneaks in and out of Fortune's office at night through a window and sleeps on a cot. At first, Fortune is indifferent toward Rudy but later provides him with blankets for the cot and a key of his own to the office, even though Fortune later denies it. Rudy learns that Fortune has never seen a Notre Dame football game from the stands, despite having worked at the stadium for years.
Rudy befriends D-Bob, a graduate student at Notre Dame and a teaching assistant at Rudy's junior college, who offers to tutor Rudy in exchange for help in meeting girls. Suspecting an underlying cause to Ruettiger's previous academic problems, D-Bob has him tested and Rudy finds out that he has dyslexia. Rudy learns how to overcome his disability and becomes a better student. At Christmas vacation, Rudy returns home to his family's appreciation of his report card but is still mocked for his attempts at playing football and loses his fiancée to one of his brothers.
After two years and three rejections, Rudy is finally admitted to Notre Dame during his final semester of transfer eligibility. He rushes home to tell his family, with his father announcing the news to his steel mill workers over the loudspeaker. Rudy persuades Fortune to promise to come see his first game if Rudy is permitted to suit up. After "walking on" as a non-scholarship player for the football team, Ruettiger convinces coach Ara Parseghian to give him a spot on the practice squad. An assistant coach warns the players that 35 "scholarship" players will not even make the "dress roster" of players who take the field during the games but notices that Ruettiger exhibits more drive than many of his scholarship teammates.
Coach Parseghian agrees to Rudy's request to suit up for one home game in his senior year so his family and friends can see him as a member of the team. However, Parseghian steps down as coach following the 1974 season and is replaced by former NFL coach Dan Devine. Coach Devine keeps Rudy on the team, but refuses to list him on the active playing roster. When Rudy sees that he is not on the dress list for the team's next-to-last game, he becomes angry and quits the team.
Fortune sees Rudy at the stadium and chastises him for giving up. Rudy learns that Fortune has seen his share of Notre Dame games because he was once on the team but has never seen one from the stands. Fortune had quit the team because he felt he was not playing due to his color. Fortune reminds Rudy that he has nothing to prove to anyone but himself, and that not a day will go by when he will not regret quitting. With that, Rudy returns to the team.
Led by team captain and All-American Roland Steele, the other seniors rise to Rudy's defense and lay their jerseys on Devine's desk, each requesting that Rudy be allowed to dress in his place for the season's final game. In response, Devine lets Ruettiger suit up for the game against Georgia Tech.
Steele invites Ruettiger to lead the team out of the tunnel onto the playing field. Fortune is there to see it, as promised. As the game nears its end with Notre Dame up 17–3, Devine sends all the seniors onto the field but not Rudy, despite urging from Steele and the assistant coaches. As a "Rudy!" chant begins in the stadium, the offensive team, led by tailback Jamie O'Hara, overrules Devine's call for victory formation and scores another touchdown instead, providing defensive player Ruettiger with one more chance to get into a game and thus be entered onto the official roster of Notre Dame football players.
Devine finally lets Rudy play on the final kickoff. Rudy stays in for the final play of the game, sacks the Georgia Tech quarterback, and to cheers from the stadium, is carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders.
An epilogue text states that since 1975, no other player for Notre Dame has been carried off the field (In 1995, two years after the film's release, fullback Marc Edwards became the second Notre Dame player to be carried off the field by his teammates following their upset win over the USC Trojans). Rudy graduated from the university in 1976, and all his younger brothers later went on to college to earn degrees.

Review: "Rudy" had kind of a lame title for a sports movie, and i remember the first time I saw a preview of it, I was totally moved and involved by the scenes and then guffawed aloud at the end when the announcer intoned, "RUDY." That set the rest of the theater laughing too, so imagine my surprise when i saw it a couple months later and it was a 10 out of 10 in my book.
One of my favorite football movies of all time, this film follows in the long tradition of great sports movies which can uplift the spirit through means other than winning the big game and getting the girl or some other typical Hollywood convention.
"The best revenge is success." One of my favorite quotes comes from this movie as well, when the coach dan devine tells rudy and the rest of the team that "Nobody, and i mean nobody, comes into our house and pushes us around.".
Between the gut-wrenching acting by Sean Astin, tear-jerking moments of the climax, the miraculous true story of a short man fighting to make his lifelong dreams come true, you'll be rooting for Rudy throughout the film.
After watching this movie, I was inspired to try just that much harder at everything I do, in hopes of one day becoming half the man that Rudy is.
Sean Astin is "Rudy" in this 1993 true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a short, average kid who wanted to dress for the Notre Dame football team.
His story provides a great lesson - the brick walls aren't there to keep you out, they're only there to keep out the people who don't want something badly enough.Rudy grows up obsessed with Notre Dame football, but he lacks the physical prowess for the game and the grades for Notre Dame.
Sean Astin gives a very natural performance as Rudy - he doesn't "act" in the sense of giving an emotional, big performance, but rather behaves like a young man from a lower middle class family in Joliet, Illinois, probably much as the real Rudy acted.Life can be pretty frustrating and when trying to break through a glass ceiling or a brick wall like Rudy did, it's tempting to want to give up.
Every since he was a boy, Rudy Ruettiger has dreamed that he would play football for Notre Dame college.
When his closest friend is killed on the job, Rudy sets out to follow his dream and enlists at Holy Cross college to get his grades and takes on jobs within Notre Dame to make his dream come true.I taped this as I thought it would be the traditional sports movie where the underdog comes through to win the big game at the key moment.
The story is inspiring but is also mixed in reality  Rudy's dream amounts to one tackle and 8 seconds of game time.
This took away a little from his story, but also it made it a better ending  his appearance is in a game already won with only seconds left, but it's HIS dream.The film is way too sentimental and mawkish at times, but it's strong theme still makes it work and be enjoyable.
The cast do a good job on the whole but it is Astin's movie and he does a great job in the lead, maybe only being a bit too nice at times.
This is one of those movies that I have seen almost a dozen times over the years, and I never get sick of it."Rudy" is the classic underdog story.
Rudy, played with strength and vulnerability by Sean Astin, is an underdog in football because of his small size, and he's an underdog in school because he has to work twice as hard to get the good grades.
He'is a hard worker with a big heart whose had his share of pain in life, so an audience member I celebrate when he does & feel sad when he does.This film has all the right pieces  a great story inspired by a true one, beautiful directing, a fantastic musical score, great football scenes, and emotional punch.
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.
Over the years, and having watched this movie some 25-35 times now, it always screams out, "You can do anything you want if you just put your whole heart and soul into it and truly try." Sean Astin certainly has his most inspiring role in this movie, and he translates so perfectly what a young man chasing his only dream, to play for the University of Notre Dame, can do if he sets his mind to it.
The movie also represented what that period of time was like for anyone whoever wanted to play a major college sport, but was considered too small or too light.
Football is a team sport and though Rudy may become a mediocre component of the team from a strictly athletic point of view, his dedication and doggedness actually provide the team with an intangible ingredient.The inspirational speeches Rudy practices repeating early on are more or less done as a fan of Notre Dame.
The story may be rather simple and the ending predictable, but what's wrong with a true-life based account that makes one feel good?
I've seen the movie three times, and each time I was moved by the story of the kid who wouldn't let his dream die.Even though I grew up Protestant in Texas and loved the Longhorns, I reveled in the history and the tradition of Notre Dame football.
I thought the filmmakers did a reasonable job of showing enough about the conflicts in Rudy's life without getting mired in a lot of subplots that in my opinion would've detracted from the storyline.I like the fact that they spent so much time actually developing the story of how he struggled to get to become a Notre Dame student.
A lot of filmmakers might've opted to focus on the actual Notre Dame experience, which I think would've made the film a lot less effective.Anyway, the music was wonderful, Sean Astin gave a great but understated performance, all the football sequences were real enough to make you wince, my wife who knows next to nothing about football or Notre Dame loved the movie, and it made me want to head to South Bend someday and take in a game.Why do so many great sports films (Breaking Away, Hoosiers, and Rudy) take place in the upper Midwest?
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.
So, I can't be objective about "Rudy" -- I have a personal, sentimental attachment to its heart-warming story.But after talking with many, many others who have seen this terrific film -- most of whom don't know anything about Notre Dame or its legendary football teams -- I now realize that everyone who has seen "Rudy" has found real inspiration in its story.Sean Astin does a remarkable job playing someone that overcame his limitations through sheer perseverance.
Other than that, it's a great story, well crafted -- what more do you want from a movie?One last note: many of my friends that have seen "Rudy" have commented to me that there really can't be families that are so fanatical about Fighting Irish football.
Based on a true story, Rudy is among the best of such films, and completes the holy trinity of sports movies; Baseball - The Natural, Basketball - Hooisers, and Football - Rudy.
But Sean Astin, never before or after better, or nearly as good, gives the performance of his young life.All sports movies are a bit predictable, and they're usually designed to put a lump in your throat, and of course they only appeal to 49% of the population (sorry), but Rudy is inspirational in a way that only a sports movie can be.
Sean Astin plays the title character and he plays a young kid from Joliet, who dreams of becoming a Norte Dame football player.
Finally, Rudy does get into Notre Dame and his dreams of success falls into failures and redemption as he fights his way toward the end.
Rudy works as a moving, inspiring and very well-told true story that is based on the real Rudy Ruettiger that attended Notre Dame in 1975.
I suppose I am biased because I am a Notre Dame Football fan, but even so, it was a wonderfully heart-warming story.Sean Astin did a terrific job in this movie, as did all the other cast members.
A lot happens during the 8 years or so that the movie covers, but Rudy's determination to realise his dream has you rooting for him all the way..
Sean Astin delivered an amazing performance as Rudy Ruettiger, a person who was always told that he could never play Notre Dame football because he was to small but now in this movie he proves that he can.
Rudy's dream was to play football at Notre Dame and earn everyone's respect (including his doubting family).
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.
It's a familiar tale - the underdog rising through sheer determination to overcome adversity and achieve success in sports, or in the case of Rudy, play one down for the fabled Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.
Modern film-goers are thought to be either too sophisticated and/or cynical to fall for such fare as "Rudy."  Nevertheless, this is a film that can be enjoyed by both sporting neophyte and armchair quarterback alike (speaking from personal experience, even football fans who spend autumn Saturdays rooting for the real-life Irish to lose will tear up by the final scene), due to a slew of excellent dramatic performances.
Uplifting True Story About An Unlikely Working-Class Kid Who Fights His Way to Notre Dame and Its Football Team.
Rudy's father tells him this story at a bus station where Rudy is going to travel to South Bend, Indiana, hoping to not only enroll into Notre Dame University, but also play for their illustrious football team.
Rudy's chances of getting into Notre Dame as a student are slim at best and almost negligible in regards to joining the Fighting Irish football team.
In a very interesting shot about mid-way through the film, we see Rudy on the outside of the Notre Dame stadium while a game is in-progress.
While the supporting cast is perfect for the film, it's the performance of Sean Astin as Rudy which takes us all the way.
His name is Rudy and he's big fan of Notre dame football team, his childhood dream is to play for them or at least to made a debut for them.Whole his family was watching them and they were big supporters of them, every Sunday they were in front of television watching them.
Rudy reached his dream, his parents, brothers, friend were proud of him.If you like inspirations movies this one is perfect for you, for binging up your motivation.
So his father and his brothers tell him that he cannot achieve his goal of playing football for the Notre Dame which is what he dreams about all the time.
My dream,like rudy who wanted play football, is to become a filmmaker, I want too write films, direct, any little job that has something to do with the film industry I want it.
Nor do I like Notre Dame over any other college team.That said, I will state that I found RUDY to be inspirational in many aspects.
The fact that he did not quit or give up when all seemed futile.Watching the movie, almost anyone would have thought that his chances at actually playing in a game were about the same as hitting the mega lotto.I was saddened that any football program would "use" guys as little more than tackle dummies in practice.
Yeah, and this was the same guy that acted like a DI the day before in gym class.Oh well, in any case, RUDY is a film that is really good.
"Rudy" Ruddiger has wanted nothing less than to play football at Notre Dame.
And in the end we have one of the biggest tear jerking moments in all the movies i ever saw...If you love sports or just want to see a good movie, give Rudy a chance.
Every time I watch this movie I feel I can relate, and if a man or woman works hard they can fulfill any dream no matter how impossible it seems.
They said "Rudy is so little",that was because they did not see his heart.A tenth of it could have made a player an All-American.Its a true journey of a kid's dream to play for a great college.
Rudy finds out that this person was also on Notre Dame's football team, but never got to play, and quit.
Although I think that Rudy is one of the best movies of all time, I think that most people lose sight of the true meaning.
Well done & touching story of a young man's obsession with Notre Dame football and his desire to be a part of it.This film does exactly what it wants to do- nothing more, nothing less..
My friend said she had to buy this movie, "Rudy," and has watched it 35 times.
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..
Rudy (Sean Astin) is a "five foot nothing, one hundred and nothing" guy whose life long dream is to run out of the tunnel for Notre Dame.
2. The movie doesn't do a very convincing job of explaining why Rudy wants to go to Notre Dame.
Rudy is the true story of a guy whose dream is to play football for Notre Dame.
Rudy not only had to make the football team, he also had to get good grades so he could transfer to the University of Notre Dame in the first place.
But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame."The film was highly inspirational and I enjoyed watching Rudy persist.
I feel like this is an important film to watch purely because of how much Rudy had to persist to achieve his dream.
"Rudy" Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, and his fight to become part of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.
For a film like this, however, time is (and will continue to be) almost a non-factor, as a movie so based in human themes and emotions will never cease to be relevant.For a basic plot summary, "Rudy" is based on the real-life story of Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin), whose entire goal in life from childhood onward was to enroll at Notre Dame and play football for the Irish.
So, while watching this film now it may seem like you've seen this type before, just remember that is only because "Rudy" started the trend!As a football fan myself, it is tough to believe I hadn't seen this one all the way through until my 32nd year on this planet.
The dream in itself is crazy but is handled in a realistic way (the film is based on Rudy Ruettiger's true story) it's not about a small guy who wants to be the star of Notre Dame football team, but who wants to play at least one game.
No need to spoil it.Paraphrasing Hugo, Rudy wants to be a "Fighting Irish at least once or nothing" and the whole film is a harrowing odyssey where we follow each step that gets him closer to his dream: getting the sponsors, having good grades in prep school, joining Notre Dame, then the practice team...
Read through these reviews and you'll find an overhwelming number of comments that reaffirm the same things - how inspiring this movie is, how perfectly played the role of Rudy is by Sean Astin, even how good the background music is.
It feels great to watch someone work so hard and overcome so many obstacle to reaching his (or her) goal, because when they succeed we're happy for them - even if they're not a real person, as was Rudy.I've lived in Indiana for 20 years and I have to say, it gives me a good feeling to see how well and warmly Indiana and Hoosiers are regarded in movies like this.
Now like most sports film, I can see from a mile away the outcome of the movie, but it doesn't really make a difference, There were still some emotional moments to be had as we see this young man's dreams come true.
This film also does a good job in raising my interest in football, because these are the kind of inspirational stories I love.David Anspaugh's film is about a young adult named Rudy who aspires to play football for Notre Dame.
But one day when he is finally admitted to Notre Dame, Rudy proves that he has what it takes to follow his dreams.The acting is very good.
I recommend this movie to anyone even if they do not like football you will love this move regardless.Sean Astin Rules!.