Customer Reviews

Rudy (Special Edition)

5 star:		(103)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a classic movie of an underdog going against all odds and proving many people wrong; that dreams can come true and the impossible is possible. There simply was no quit in Rudy.

If there's a difference from the original DVD of "Rudy" and this one, I do not know. It's a great movie to buy or rent. Either way, you get to see a kid become a man with his heart, his brains, his determination, and his ability to take pain.

This 1993 gem is only the second film to be shot on the Notre Dame campus (following Knute Rockne: All-American in the 1930s) and it follows Rudy's struggle to overcome dozens of obstacles and realize his abbreviated dream of playing for the Fighting Irish football team.
The plot and dramatic music can get schmaltzy at times, but the campus shots are beautiful and captures a bit of the Notre Dame mystique visitors and alumns claim to feel when walking under the Golden Dome. Rudy is persistent in his struggle, and Sean Astin masterfully plays him so he remains sympathetic without becoming annoying. Look for appearances by former Notre Dame president Fr. Ted Hesburgh, a young Vince Vaughan and Lili Taylor and a great big Jon Favreau as Rudy's pal. The football game scenes during the film's climax capture a bit of the gameday atmosphere in South Bend; more importantly, they capture Rudy's focus and realization that he has reached his life's goal.
I was disappointed in the selection of extras included on the disc. I enjoyed the impressive mini documentary interview with the real Rudy Ruettiger (which debunked some of the critiques I heard comparing the film with the real story), but I was disappointed that scenes of the film's premiere in South Bend were left off (they were included on some "Special Editions" of the VHS tape).
Second, where was the trailer for the film? I can't believe that the disc's producers included irrelevant trailers for "Brian's Song" & "Jerry Maguire" (the only connection I can see here is that they also deal with football and redemption, but that's it) and left off the "Rudy" trailers.
Perhaps in 2003 the producers will release a 10-year anniversary edition of the DVD and correct some of these omissions and unnecessary additions.

Based on a true story of one mans dream to one day play football for the University of Notre Dame,"Rudy" is a true inspirational masterpiece. Directed by David Anspaugh, the story begins with everyone telling "Rudy" he's not big enough or smart enough to go to college, he shows all antagonist's what perserverance can do. Born into a blue collar family, Rudy was expected to follow in his father and brothers footsteps at the local steelmill and did until a tragedy enticed him to follow his dreams. Facing incredible adversity, through sheer determination, Rudy shows his father played by Ned Beatty and all those who said he could'nt, he can. After finally gaining admission to Notre Dame, he gains the respect of all those who touched him. Set in the 70's with most of the filming on the campus of Notre Dame, this is a must see for all those who ever doubted themselves. One of my all time favorites that everyone should see. I still find it hard to believe this film was never nominated for any awards. A true masterpiece!! Released in 1994 by Tristar Pictures, Running Time: approximately 113 minutes

My Four Star rating reflects both overall enjoyment while seeing the film (Five Stars) and occasional irritation with director Anspaugh's manipulative strategies insofar as emotions are concerned (Three Stars). The dramatic impact of Rudy Ruettiger's struggles to suit up for, if not play in a Notre Dame football game is diminished by such manipulation. That said, Sean Astin is wholly credible as Rudy. Other noteworthy performances are provided by Ned Beatty (Rudy's father, Daniel), Charles S. Dutton (Fortune), Robert Prosky (Father Cavenaugh), Jon Favreau (D-Bob), Lili Taylor (Sherry), and Scott Benjaminson (Frank). Both the "Real Rudy" and the "Reel Rudy" faced two significant barriers to being admitted to Notre Dame and then playing in a varsity football game: weak grades and diminutive size. Eventually, through tenacious study while enrolled at nearby Holy Cross College, both Rudys are finally admitted to Notre Dame; through rigorous training, both then became fit enough to be selected to play on the practice (i.e. fodder) squad. And finally, both play (the "Real Rudy" for 27 seconds) in the last home game against Georgia Tech in 1975.

Others have their own reasons for liking this film so much. Here are three of mine. First, the casting of Astin in the lead role. His performance is endearing, to be sure, but also convincing. Hence my discomfort with Anspaugh's use of gimmicks when none is necessary. Second, the exteriors shot on the Notre Dame campus which is especially lovely during each of the four seasons. I really did feel as if I were tagging along with Rudy as he attends classes, works for Fortune as a member of the stadium's groundskeeping crew, and then participates in especially brutal team practices. Third and finally, I enjoyed observing what seems to be a totally authentic respect for Rudy among the team's starters both on offense and defense. That respect was earned day in and day out, brutal practice after brutal practice, as Rudy and his battered companions helped to prepare the team for its next game. It is worth noting that Rudy Ruettiger was the only player ever to be carried off the field at Notre Dame stadium. The filmmakers recreated the scene with real fans during a break in the 1992 Boston College game. Some 60,000 fans stood and cheered as actor Sean Astin was carried off the field.

Those who enjoyed this film should also check out The Natural (1984), Hoosiers (1986), Babe (1995), Remember the Titans (2000), and Miracle (2004).
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Those who are curious about the "real" and "reel" Rudy Ruettiger are encouraged to visit http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/rudy.php. Here are brief excerpts:

Q: Was the groundskeeper played by Charles S. Dutton a real character?

A: Rudy answered no to this question himself during an interview with the Pigskin Post by saying the following, "He was a composite, but that was reality. And that's what happened in my life...all through my life. I would encounter people like that and they would help me get through the tough times through their wisdom and their encouragement."

Q: Was there actually a priest who helped Rudy get into Holy Cross Junior College?

A: In the same Pigskin Post interview as above, Rudy replied to this question by saying, "There were several who played important roles, but, again, you can't develop them all in one two-hour movie."

Q: Did Rudy really sleep in the maintenance room of the football stadium?

A: Rudy actually slept in a room in the basketball arena. The school had the room there for someone to stay during off-hours for insurance reasons.

Q: Was coach Dan Devine really that cold-hearted against dressing Rudy for the last home game of Rudy's college career?

A: In Devine's autobiography, Simply Devine, he writes that it was his idea to dress Rudy for the final game of his college career and also to play him. Devine says that the screenwriter, Angelo Pizzo, told him that the plot would only work if Devine became the heavy. He agreed in order to help out Rudy, someone whom he calls a friend. "I didn't realize I would be such a heavy," he writes.

I have seen critics dismissed this movie as highly predictable and manipulative. And they are probably right. But it doesn't mean it can't be a highly enjoyable film. You can't help feel happy for the guy when predictably he achieves his dream.

The film score by Jerry Goldsmith is simply outstanding too. And Sean Astin, as usual, is terrific as Rudy.

From the time he was a young boy, everyone had told Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) that he was too small, too weak, and not smart enough to accomplish his ultimate goal - to play football for Notre Dame. Discouraged, he shelves his dream and follows his father and brothers to work in a steel mill. Only one person, Rudy's best friend Pete, actually has faith in him. When Pete is killed in a freak accident four years later, something in Rudy is reawakened, and he realizes that if he's ever going to be happy in life, he needs to play football. He needs to go to Notre Dame. But he doesn't have the grades to get in. We see Rudy do everything in his power, for several long semesters, to gain admission to the prestigious school.

But getting into Notre Dame isn't his only problem. Once in, he has to get on the team - no mean feat for someone who, in the words of the maintenance man Fortune (Charles S. Dutton), is "five-foot nothin', a hundred and nothin'," and has "no speck of athletic ability." And even after he's on the team, there's no guarantee that he'll actually get to dress for a game. In the end, however, the results of Rudy's persistence and hard work are more than he could ever have imagined.

"Rudy" is a touching true story of the power of hope and hard work. It is a football movie, but it is also so much more than that. Rudy's steadfastness is very moving to see, and Sean Astin captures the character beautifully. I think this is Astin's best performance, transcending even Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" (it's a close call though). The supporting cast members are just as perfectly fitted to their roles. Charles S. Dutton turns in a great performance as Fortune, ultimately Rudy's best mentor, and Robert Prosky plays Father Cavanaugh, the priest at Notre Dame who offers Rudy a chance to improve his grades at a nearby junior college, whereby he just might have a shot at admission.

The soundtrack to the film is perfectly fitted. It puts the final cap on many an emotional scene. This Special Edition DVD offers an isolated music score, letting you listen to the music alone. The DVD has some other nice bonus features as well: "Rudy: The Real Story" is a short documentary on the real Rudy Ruettiger, with commentary from the man himself. It is touching to see Ruettiger talk about his experiences, and one can see that Sean Astin did a magnificent job conveying him to the screen. There is also a "Production" featurette, briefly outlining the making of the movie, and finally "60 Seconds With Sean Astin" features the actor giving us some quick commentary on the film. There are also Talent Files on the director and actors.

"Rudy" is one of the most inspirational sports movies I've ever seen. The fact that it is a true story makes it all the more amazing. If you enjoy films like "Remember the Titans" (with Denzel Washington), you'll love "Rudy" (and if you like "Rudy" but haven't seen "Remember the Titans," I recommend that one as well). This is a wonderful movie for anyone, whether you're a football fan or not (I'm not). It is emotional and moving, but never goes over the top. I can't imagine it having been done any better. "Rudy" is a must-see, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

'RUDY" IS IRISH SENTIMENTALITY, BUT ENTERTAINING

"Rudy" (1993) is one of those stories that could only be told about an institution like Notre Dame University. If anybody tried to make a film about a scrub trying to make the varsity at UCLA or Nebraska, they would never get it off the ground. As it is, Rudy Ruettiger had his share of troubles pitching the true tale of his appearance in Notre Dame's final 1975 game to Hollywood.

"I had an appointment with a producer," Ruettiger recalls, "but he didn't show up at the appointed time and place. I was in Santa Monica, and I knew he lived nearby, so I asked the postman if he knew this guy."

Ruettiger looks enough like the Midwestern rube he has been portrayed as than the sort of city psychopath the mailman might have suspected him to be, because he sent him right to the guy's house. The producer tried to fend Rudy off by telling him he was not a Notre Dame fan, but it ended up at Orion Pictures anyway, and was released just as the 1993 college football season was getting underway. Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz actually was threatened with N.C.A.A. penalties because he showed a bootleg copy to his players prior to the opener, trying to inspire the boys a la Knute Rockne. The infraction was providing entertainment to his team not available to the rest of the student body (somebody ought to go on a secret mission to Shawnnee Mission, Kansas and do a demolition of this near-useless organization). Anyway, it worked that day and most days in '93, as the Irish came within one loss to Boston College of the National Championship, but that is a different Irish tale. Despite a pretty good reception, the movie did not save Orion from folding up its operation about a year later.

Patty Duke's son, Sean Astin (remember him in "Like Father, Like Son" with Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron?) stars as a blue-collar kid from a blue-collar family. He is a poor student, and a below-average high school football player despite his very best efforts. Upon graduation he goes to work in the steel mill just like everybody who ever lived in his home town, yet still clings to the fantasy of going to play ball in South Bend. Everybody scoffs at his craziness except his best buddy, who considers Rudy's goal quite within reach.

When that buddy is killed in a mill accident, Rudy realizes it is now or never. Despite being closer to graduation than freshman age, he journeys to South Bend, is met by many obstacles and a kindly priest, enrolls in a junior college and makes good enough grades to get into N.D.

Once there, he tries out for the football team, is kept around for four years as a "tackling dummy," but due to his popularity on the team and among the student body, new coach Dan Devine fulfills old coach Ara Parseghian's promise to let him play a few minutes. Rudy even makes a tackle during garbage time of a game against Michigan State.

Director David Anspaugh ("Hoosiers") focuses on the character development of Angelo Pizzo's screenplay. The story is predictable (being true it was not easy to hide), but that matters less than Astin's inspired gullibility. Charles Dutton is terrific as the stadium groundskeeper, and Ned Beatty is great as his dad.

Look, if you hate Notre Dame, this film will probably make you sick, but if you can at least tolerate the mythology for a couple hours, "Rudy" is one of the better sports movies of recent years.

This is one of the best inspirational movies ever. I love true stories and this is one of my favorites.It's about a young man (Sean Astin) chasing down a dream of playing Notre Dame football, and nothing is going to get in his way,NOTHING. It shows you can overcome any obstacle if you put your mind to it , and rudy does just that.
This movie will put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye, and touches the hearts and souls of everyone.You'll never get tired of this one. A must see.

Never mind the part of this story that is about football, because the premise of this movie is much more significant and intriguing than just football. This is a story about the little guy; the average Joe who has no special attributes or talents. But what this average Joe does have is an undying dream, and eventually, he develops the courage to follow them-and does it with all his heart and soul.

It's based on a true story about Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger, the son of an oil refinery worker and third of fourteen children. An underdog with marginal talent and intellect, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success.

From the movie, it seems Rudy has little inspiration in his life as a boy, but the nostalgia, history, and tradition of Notre Dame Football seems to be a bright spot for him and his family; and he clings to that. Memorizing a famous speech by Knute Rockne (read it at: http://lamb.archives.nd.edu/rockne/speech2.html), Rudy recites it perfectly as if he were Knute himself, demonstrating his love for Irish football tradition.

On one of his birthdays, Rudy's gets a vintage "Fighting Irish" letterman jacket from his best friend, and soon after, his best friend dies in an accident at the refinery. Already in his twenties, hitting rock-bottom, and feeling as though he has nothing to lose, Rudy decides to take a chance and pursue his life-long dream of playing football for The Irish. He pursues his dream not only for himself, but also for his best-friend, who knew how much Rudy loved the mystique of Notre Dame. He also wants his family, and especially his father, to be proud of him. He seems to want to vicariously fulfill what is really a dream that is shared by everyone he loves; but there's only one problem. Rudy does not have the grades to qualify for admission to Notre Dame.

Thus, he begins his struggle at Holy Cross before gaining acceptance to Notre Dame. With the help of a socially inept new friend, Rudy manages to struggle through his courses at Holy Cross, gradually improving his grades. While at Holy Cross, Rudy applies for Notre Dame and is turned down several times. Feeling hopeless and doubtful, and just when all seems lost, he gets the latest reply from Notre Dame. He reluctantly opens it, fearing the worst, but Rudy is finally accepted. He applied to Notre Dame three times before he was accepted on his fourth attempt.

After being admitted to Notre Dame, Rudy is out of money and relies on help from several people who are taken with his indomitable determination to never quit trying. When Rudy walks-on for tryouts, he is not given much of a chance by the coaches. Feeling thankful for the getting a chance, he promises football coach Ara Parseghian he'll make the team. After demonstrating a will and determination that is unmatched by anyone on the team, the coaches eventually give him a shot and he makes the team's scout squad. Rudy knows that if it weren't for his tenacity, he wouldn't have impressed the coaches enough to make the team. Along the way, Rudy earns the loyalty and respect of his teammates and coaches with his work ethic, and ends up raising the bar for the entire teams' level of play. There are many inspirational moments in this film and its climactic ending is no exception.

He is the only player in the school's history to be carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders.

There are so many amazing and inspiring moments in this film, but what has stayed with me the most is the lesson learned from watching the story. It's all about the triumph of the human spirit. It's a testament to never giving up on your dreams, giving it all that you have despite all the odds being stacked against you, and overcoming adversity in the pursuit of them. It reminds us about the importance of courage, faith, and perseverance and believing in yourself when no one else will.

After Rudy Ruettiger accomplished his goal of playing for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, he realized a second goal: seeing his story on the big screen. For nine years Rudy's never-say-die philosophy was tested as he tackled Hollywood to make a movie about his life. At first it wasn't easy. "Hollywood is one crazy damned place," Ruettiger told the Boston Globe's Michael Blowen. "It was a mess... I just barged right into it, and trusted people in Hollywood. In 1993, his second impossible dream came true as Tri-Star Pictures released the blockbuster hit film, Rudy.

This is one of the only movies that have ever made me weep every time I see it. It's one of the best I've ever seen.

I was waiting for a true deluxe edition that has a commentary of the making of the movie. Most of the time I won't buy a DVD unless it has a commentary on the movie. This is one of my all time favorite movie and what made me love Sean Astin as an actor. If you are looking for an inspirational, uplifting movie for you or someone else, this is it. I give the movie 5 stars but this DVD edition 4 stars.