Knute Rockne All American

1940
Approved
1h 38m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

2.2K

YOUR RATING

Pat O'Brien in Knute Rockne All American (1940)

Play trailer1:51

1 Video

16 Photos

Biography Drama Family Sport

The story of legendary Notre Dame football player and coach Knute Rockne.The story of legendary Notre Dame football player and coach Knute Rockne.The story of legendary Notre Dame football player and coach Knute Rockne.

Directors
- Lloyd Bacon
- William K. Howard
Writers
- Robert Buckner
- Mrs. Knute Rockne
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

2.2K

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Lloyd Bacon
- William K. Howard
Writers
- Robert Buckner
- Mrs. Knute Rockne
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Trivia
The unnamed "disease" that killed George Gipp wasn't a disease, it was actually complications from strep throat.

Goofs
The airplane in which Knute Rockne lost his life was the Fokker F-10 tri-moter. The movie uses a metal-winged Ford tri-motor. The F-10 had wooden wings, which failed during the flight due to internal deterioration, causing the crash. The movie seems to indicate that Rockne's plane crashed because of engine trouble.

Quotes
Knute Rockne: Now I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years. None of you ever knew George Gipp. He was long before your time, but you all know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame. And the last thing he said to me, "Rock," he said, "sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock," he said, "but I'll know about it and I'll be happy."

Crazy credits
The movie begins with the Foreword: "The Life of Knute Rockne is its own dedication to the Youth of America, and to finest ideals of courage, characters and sportmanship for all the world. Knute Rockne was a great and vital force in moudling the spirit of modern America through the millions of young men and boys who loved and respected him, and who today are living by the high standard that he taught. This picture has been made with the permission and valuable assistance of his widow, Bonnie Skiles Rockne. Appreciation is expressed to the University of Notre Dame for its gratuitous co-operation."

Alternate versions
For years TV prints of "Knute Rockne All-Amercian" deleted about 13 minutes of footage, including the famous "Win one for the Gipper" speech, for legal reasons concerning the George Gipp family. When the US video version was released in 1998, all the deleted scenes were restored, and seen for the first time since the original theatrical showings. The restored, complete print has since been released on DVD (as of 2006) and is now available for television viewings.

Connections
Featured in Family Classics: Family Classics: Knute Rockne: All American (1963)

Soundtracks
The Notre Dame Victory March
(1908) (uncredited)
Music by Michael J. Shea
Lyrics by John F. Shea
Played during the opening and end credits
Played and sung by the crowd at the railroad station twice
Played as background music often

User reviews25

Review

Featured review

5/10

There's a reason you only know one line from this movie

I have always wanted to see this movie since there has been so much American hype about winning one for the Gipper. Now I can cross that off my bucket list. This movie has not held up well at all. Maybe in 1940 it was sentimental but now it comes across as maudlin and soapy. I had to listen to that Fighting Irish theme song from start to finish in just about every scene and I couldn't even finish the credits it was so grating. Pat O'Brian does a good job until he starts sounding like James Cagney for no apparent reason and since there have been so many jokes about that accent, it doesn't sound authentic at all and unintentionally humorous (Yeah, see, yeah). The wife had almost no role, neither did any other character including Reagan who only had about 3 scenes and was OK and then forgotten for the rest of the movie. There were so many other great movies that year and this one will forever be seen as average.