Another ‘Rudy’ in the news
Sports movie is back in theaters to mark 25th.
Long before President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani became ubiquitous on cable news, the name “Rudy” represented something very different – the ultimate, feelgood sports movie.
That time is coming again. “Rudy” returns to theaters nationwide for two days only, Aug. 28 and Sept. 2, as part of Fathom Events’ celebration of the sports classic’s 25th anniversary.
The 1993 movie is based on a true underdog story. Sean Astin stars as Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a too-small player with a big enough heart to practice with the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, then makes history on his only play with the team.
“It feels like only yesterday. But it’s a timeless message,” says the real Rudy Ruettiger, who will be 70 by the time the film hits theaters again. Ruettiger made the rounds in Hollywood for years before he found the right team willing to take on his sports story (“Hoosiers” director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo).
“Rudy” follows Ruettiger as he grows up in an Illinois steel mill town obsessed with Notre Dame football and dreaming of playing against all odds. He was too small to be taken seriously on the field and initially didn’t have the grades (he was diagnosed with dyslexia after high school) to get into Notre Dame.
But he worked his way into the university and eventually toiled as a walk-on for the practice squad. Amazingly, Ruettiger got to play in the final seconds of his final home game, the only time he was allowed to even suit up.
Ruettiger’s miracle sack in the final seconds of Notre Dame’s blowout over Georgia Tech in November 1975 meant nothing for the game – but it made history of the inspirational kind. His overjoyed fellow players carried Ruettiger off the field.
The world has changed since “Rudy” was first released, but people still love the movie.
“They love it because it breaks down barriers: political, religious, whatever,” Ruettiger says. “It’s about belief in yourself. That if you believe in yourself, everything is possible. That’s why the movie works.”
He says the movie is even more meaningful 25 years on, as key figures in the film have since died, including Notre Dame football coach Dan Devine (played by Chelcie Ross). Robert Prosky, who starred as Father Cavanaugh, died in 2008. Jason Miller, who played legendary Coach Ara Parseghian, died in 2001; the real coach died last year.
Theatrical screenings of “Rudy” will be accompanied by a Q&A with Ruettiger, filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre.