Knute Rockne All American (1940)

Long before Rocky Balboa went the distance, there was the original Rock--as in Knute Rockne. His story, a classic 1940 biopic, combines vintage gridiron action with heart-tugging sentiment. Yup, this is the film with the famous halftime pep talk and Ronald Reagan's "win just one for the Gipper" deathbed plea. Yeah, it's corny. But so what. Lloyd Bacon, one of Hollywood's ablest craftsmen (42nd Street), directed with just the right scrappy disregard for genre conventions. Reagan, in his third best vehicle (behind King's Row and The Killers), plays George Gipp, the Fighting Irish's first All- American, who died of pneumonia in 1920; the always-reliable Pat O'Brien plays Notre Dame coach Rockne as a living, breathing icon--part father confessor, part Patton, part idealized father figure. Before he spurs the lads to victory, he changes the face of the sport--by inventing the forward pass, no less. --Glenn Lovell Amazon.com

Knute Rockne

This is an excellent film. Fun to watch. If you like college football today and enjoy history. This is great fun. If you like Notre Dame it's a must for your library. December 18, 2007

Truly All American

This is one of the most classic american sports stories. Pride of the Yankees also makes a great view. November 16, 2007

Calling Jimmy Cagney!

It's a funny thing - I hate Football but enjoy Football *movies* - like, you know, The Longest Yard and North Dallas Forty. (Just thought I'd share...). And I enjoyed chewing on this [somewhat stale] ol' chestnut, despite aspects which might be too much even for famed Talk Show Host Sammy Maudlin.
Ronald Reagan does a terrific job as Gipp, really convincing delivering lines and punts. Can't say the same about Pat O'Brien - he's just a tad too mellow in that role which evokes childhood memories of actual newsreels with the real Knute, mesmerizing his players with his "fight! fight! fight! exhortations in a locker room meeting. Pat must have needed a cool lemonade, or a hot cup of tea (with lemon) to regain his composure after a few takes.
The fan/historian will appreciate actual Notre Dame footage (unidentified as it is as to historical placement), and perhaps even more, the useage of several period Sports legends, including Pop Warner. (When did they decide to switch to ballet tights?).
Literate dialogue helps the somewhat stilted direction. Effective editing on the athletic sequences.
Important feature has Mr. O'Brien with future President Reagan in a promotional radio spot. September 1, 2007

Knute Rockne All American 1940

" I've decided to take up coaching as my life work" Knute Rockne (1888-1931) says. Coach he does , revolutionizing football with stragies , winning close to 90 percent of his games , and helping establish the university of Notre dame's fighting Irish as gridiron powerhouse . But victories alone do not mean succees to Rockne . He wants to shape his players into responsible and honorable men . This famed sports biopic combines a passion for the game (and fotage og actual Notre Dame Contests) with two superb performances : Pat O'Brien (1899-1983) in the little role and Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) as George Gipp , the gifted but doomed halfback whose deathbed plea is *win just for the Gipper*. The line remains one of the Cinema's most memorable . And for the rest of his life , Reagan would often be called The Gipper . High Quality Transfer . August 19, 2007

A Must For Notre Dame Alumni

My dad is a Notre Dame grad and this movie was pretty much required viewing every year when he went to school there. The movie was very well done. If you liked Rudy, you'll love this.

If you're a Notre Dame Alumni, you NEED this. If you know a Notre Dame Alumni, he or shee NEEDS this. March 2, 2007

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