In 1931, as Universal Pictures was filming "The Spirit Of Notre Dame," Knute Rockne agreed to serve as a consultant. Sadly, as he was en route to Hollywood to do just that, he perished when the plane carrying him crashed in Kansas. When the film was released later that year, the studio dedicated the film to Rockne's memory.
 
"The Spirit Of Notre Dame" stars Lew Ayres as Bucky O'Brien, a halfback who proudly talks about his high school playing days in North Dakota. When he arrives at Notre Dame, he discovers that one roommate, Jim Stewart (William Bakewell), is also a halfback. They share their room with lineman Truck McCall (Andy Devine) and a student football manager who is called WASP (Harry Burris), an acronym for his name. Bucky gets kidded about his background, but he takes the kidding in stride. When they become eligible for the varsity, they become starters in the backfield of the Coach (J. Farrell McDonald). Bucky plays so well, he's an All-American candidate.

The teammates, though, start to take any competition more seriously. First, they have their eyes on Peggy (Sally Blane), a young woman they meet at a school dance. Then, they take their competition to the field, when Coach moves Bucky to fullback and makes Jim the primary ball carrier. The team still does well, but Coach becomes displeased when Bucky admits to deliberately missing blocks. In order to complete a perfect season, though, Coach must impress upon Jim the importance of teamwork at all times.

Before I bought the DVD, I had just learned of the existence of this movie. "The Spirit Of Notre Dame," though, seems like the blueprint for "Knute Rockne All American," which Warner Brothers made nine years later. While "Knute Rockne" had no fictional characters as "Spirit" did, I found many similarities between the two pictures. Rockne and football, of course, are the common threads, though he is never mentioned by name in "Spirit." There are scenes in both movies that recreate Notre Dame games, scenes that show Coach willing to engage with his youngest fans, and a halftime speech that call on fighting for a fallen teammate. The "Spirit" story is handled competently and predictably by a writing team that includes "The Mummy" scenarist Richard Schayer and "Captains Courageous" scenarist Dale Van Every. "Spirit" may not be as well-known or as polished as "Knute Rockne," but it is definitely worthy of a look.

Ayres and Bakewell, who were in the early stages of long film careers, have very good chemistry as the backfield mates. McDonald, who looks more like Rockne than Pat O'Brien, is convincing as Coach. Devine is good for some laughs - and a little drama - as the benchwarming Truck. Fighting Irish and football fans should enjoy the appearances by several of Rockne's best-known players, most notably Frank Carideo and the Four Horsemen (Jim Crowley, Elmer Layden, Don Miller, Harry Stuhldreher). Footage of the real Rockne talking to his team begins this film.

"The Spirit Of Notre Dame" pays fitting tribute to Notre Dame's most famous football coach and his players. Knute Rockne left a legacy that his successors have sought to follow. Rockne's men were disciplined in their sport, and often applied that discipline to their post-football endeavors. In "Spirit," two young men put aside egos to win games for the Rockne and the team. The echoes from Rockne's tenure still resonate on the Notre Dame gridiron, as well as in the heart of Fighting Irish fans everywhere.


This is an entry in the sleeperless Lean-N-Mean VIII, monitored by jurgrace and jenniferkateab. Entries can be found on the following page of jurgrace:  http://www.epinions.com/content_5357215876


Thanks Grace and Jennifer.

Thanks also to Mona (ladyconsumer) for adding this film to the database for me.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12