Based on the bestselling novel by Steven Pressfield, The Legend of Bagger Vance is a beguiling addition to the tiny genre of feel-good mystical sports movies. In Georgia at the height of the Depression, Adele Invergordon (Charlise Theron) organises a golf tournament to publicise her inherited luxury hotel/golf course. Taking part are two genuine golf stars of the period, together with one-time Southern sporting hero, Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon). Shattered by the Great War, Junuh has retreated into a bottle and it is up to a local boy, Hardy Greaves (an excellent J Michael Moncrief making his screen debut, and as an old man Jack Lemmon in his final film) and caddy Bagger Vance (Will Smith) to help him find his lost swing.
Though it is never made explicit, Vance is an angel and the film is really about redemption, the golf scenes being a not exactly subtle metaphor for life itself. Some may find it corny and unoriginal; the movie has much in common with director Robert Redford's own The Natural (1984) as well as Heaven Can Wait (1978) and Field of Dreams (1989). Yet after a clunky opening Bagger Vance finds its swing and proves a delightful light romantic drama, with gorgeous cinematography, fine performances and a wonderful score by Rachel Portman.
On the DVD:The Legend of Bagger Vance on disc has an anamorphic transfer of the original 1.85-1 image, and though a little dark is very sharp and filled with detail and vibrant colours. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound does everything expected, being atmospheric and showcasing the score to good effect. Extras are a four-minute interview with Robert Redford and a three-minute "featurette" which is really an extended trailer to complement the teaser and conventional trailer also included. There are several pages of electronic press kit production notes, and biographies and filmographies of 18 of the film's stars and production personnel. As Redford believes commentaries and in-depth behind the scenes features ruin the magic of the movies this is as extensive a collection as is likely to appear. Finally there is a truly appalling trailer for the DVD of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. --Gary S Dalkin
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Based on the Bhagavad Gita This film was based on a novel by Steven Pressfield but the real inspiration was from the Hindu Epic The Mahabaharata where there is an interesting conversation that leads to the holiest of Hindu Scriptures known as the Bhagavad Gita. Will Smith as Bagger Vance (pronounced in an Indian way as Bhagawan; another name for Krishna) is brilliant and is ably supported by Matt Damon as R. Junuh (alternatively pronounced as Arjuna). The story shows Smith as a caddy and also spiritual guide to Damon...as in the... more info
Misunderstood by all This is not a film about golf or caddies or anything that it initially seems. It is about life and and Hindu philosophy. Bagger Vance in based on the Sanskrit text from the Mahabharata called the Bhagavad Gita. This story is a discussion of Hindu philosophy between the god Krishna (here Bagger Vance played by Will Smith) and Arjuna (here the character R. Juner played by Matt Damon). The Bhagavad Gita begins before the start of the climactic battle at Kurukshetra and Bagger Vance starts before the battle... more info
An Emotional Void!!! Where "Seabiscuit" marked the return of the intelligent and artistic sports picture, "Legend Of Bagger Vance" directed by Robert Redford does not.
This is a very confused Motion Picture. The first reel is taken up with short expletory scenes and flashbacks all ending with the familiar fade to black. This constant use of the fade out halted any narrative and kept the film firmly in the stalls for what seemed an age.
It is impossible to cut around a poor leading performance as you might do a bad piece of... more info
The Legend of Bagger Vance It truly is a legend in the newspapers. Based on the book by Steve Pressfields, this golfing movie is a true masterpiece. Directed by Robert Redford (Horse Whisperer, A River Runs through It) starring Matt Damon and Will Smith, Matt Damon is the confused pro golfer who lost his swing after the 1st world was and Will Smith is the understanding caddie who helps Damon get a better grip on life. Damon is invited to play in a golf competition and to stand up for his state. His talent wearies with his mood and... more info
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