Knute Rockne, All American

Released Oct 4, 1940

1h 38m

Biography

List

88%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Young Norwegian immigrant Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) enrolls at Notre Dame University and becomes the first star of its hitherto undistinguished football team, inventing the forward pass among other innovations. Coaching the team after his playing days are through, Rockne turns the school into a football powerhouse thanks in part to freshman halfback George Gipp (Ronald Reagan), whose sudden illness provides the team with its motivation to fight against a bigger, stronger opponent.

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Audience Member

The Knute Rockne legend is largely founded on this Lloyd Bacon biography, in which Pat O'Brien stars as the sainted Notre Dame football coach. In his most famous role, Ronald Reagan plays star quarterback George Gipp, who utters the immortal line "Win one for the Gipper!" Rock's speech in front of the college athletics evaluation committee was just outstanding, and the stock footage of the old games is even to this day some great football. Fabulous sports biography .

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Work ethic, innovation, team building, faith, and family: this movie has it all. It's Frank Capra without the scope, and it's a very easy movie to absorb. Of course, the main draw to this movie these days is not Pat O'Brien (who does a capable job), but of Ronald Reagan. Again, Reagan's easy charm and charisma make George Gipp the most memorable supporting role in this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best sports films you'll ever see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid history. But pacing is really off. Much too fast and disjointed

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good bio-pic & vehicle 4 Pat O'Brien with that big nose he sports

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was really pleasantly surprised by this film by Lloyd Bacon. I'm not a follower of college football, but I had really liked/loved the nine other films of Bacon's I had seen, plus I was curious in seeing Ronald Reagan's acting. It was #27 in The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies' Top 100 as well, so I thought I'd take a chance. Very much recommended biopic of an American icon, recognized in sports and education for all of the RIGHT reasons.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Lloyd Bacon

Director

Pat O'Brien

Knute Rockne

Ronald Reagan

George Gipp

Gale Page

Bonnie Skiles Rockne

Donald Crisp

Father John Callahan

Albert Basserman

Father Julius Nieuwland

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

As a memorial to a fine and inspiring molder of character in young men, this picture ranks high.

Aug 23, 2016

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Perhaps Ronald Reagan's greatest talent was his ability to float to the top.

Jan 25, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Carries both inspirational and dramatic appeal on a wide scale.

Jan 25, 2008

Full Review

Tim Dirks

Filmsite

Knute Rockne: All American (1940) is the inspirational film biography of the famous and prominent Notre Dame football coach, Knute 'Rock' Rockne (Pat O'Brien). The immortalized coach is brought to life in this excellent, episodic film...

Rated: A+

Sep 29, 2019

Full Review

Jose Maria Santos

Cine-Mundial

The director Lloyd Bacon did a great job on recreating the environment. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 16, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

Corn doesn't grow any higher than this male bonding tribute to testosterone.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 25, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

Young Norwegian immigrant Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) enrolls at Notre Dame University and becomes the first star of its hitherto undistinguished football team, inventing the forward pass among other innovations. Coaching the team after his playing days are through, Rockne turns the school into a football powerhouse thanks in part to freshman halfback George Gipp (Ronald Reagan), whose sudden illness provides the team with its motivation to fight against a bigger, stronger opponent.

Director: Lloyd Bacon
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1940, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 38m

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