By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A redone version of “Rudy” drew a sellout crowd to the IU Cinema on the Bloomington campus last week.
The version shown was a director’s cut, and director David Anspaugh said he was given carte blanche to do as he saw fit.
“I got (full control) and did as I wanted; I really like it,” Anspaugh told WZBD.com.
“Rudy” was produced as a new 4K restoration with 13 minutes added to the film, taking its length to 127minutes in all. “Four K and ultra depth,” Anspaugh explained.
The showing was free but ticketed, and all tickets were distributed, with the theater offering a standby line the night of the show.
“Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the classic Hoosier football story with a brand-new Director’s Cut with director David Anspaugh, writer Angelo Pizzo, and subject Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger in person!” the IU Cinema announced.
A question-and-answer session was held with the audience.
Rudy was filmed in 1992 and released in 1993.
The unique campus theater opened in January of 2011.
“It’s one of the best theaters in the world, a phenomenal place,” said Decatur-native Anspaugh said.
The IU Cinema hosts approximately 75-85 events per semester, screening films 4-5 days per week.
“One of the nation’s most prestigious arthouse cinema’s … IU Cinema uses film and cinema studies for intellectual edification and cultural emancipation,” a theater publicity release says. “IU Cinema’s programming is focused on the world’s most entertaining, fascinating, and thought-provoking films …”
“You can hear from prominent filmmakers and scholars, see rarely shown titles, and enjoy one-of-a-kind programs, like the premiere of a score for a silent movie. Because we want our events to be inclusive and accessible, about half of them are free.”
Here are a couple of reviews of “Rudy”:
“Anspaugh directs this story as if he were conducting Bolero, carefully building climax upon climax as the story spirals to an underdog triumph.” – Johanna Steinmetz, Chicago Tribune
“A film that hits all the right emotional buttons, it’s an intelligent, sentimental drama that lifts an audience to its feet cheering.” – Leonard Klady, Variety.