Knute Rockne, All American

Knute Rockne, All American is a 1940 film starring Pat O'Brien.

Knute Rockne, who led Notre Dame University's "Fighting Irish" from 1918 to 1930, is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history. His sudden, dramatic death in an airplane accident in 1931 triggered a national outpouring of grief comparable to the deaths of presidents.

Based on personal papers and remembrances by family and friends, this biography of the coach, memorably played by Pat O'Brien, is considered less a factual document than a loving tribute to a man for whom many Americans felt a sentimental attachment. Ronald Reagan portrays player George Gipp who dies prematurely and prompts the screen Rockne to inspire his team with the often misquoted line "win just one for the Gipper," a slogan Ronald Reagan would later adapt as a catchphrase during his presidency.

Knute Rockne, All American was added to the National Film Registry in 1997.


 * Win One for the Gipper

"Rockne: 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.""
 * Based on a True Story: This is a dramatization of Rockne's life, not a straight biography.
 * Billing Displacement: Pat O'Brien almost never gets to be on the DVD cover, even though he played Knute Rockne. The guy who played the Gipper - Ronald Reagan - usually gets top billing.
 * Incurable Cough of Death: George "The Gipper" Gipp (Ronald Reagan) dies this way after his freshman season playing for Notre Dame (which was covered in about ten minutes in the film).
 * Rousing Speech: The one with the Signature Line about winning "just one for the Gipper":