Customer Reviews

The Legend of Bagger Vance: Music from the Motion Picture (2000 Film)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must first say that this is the third score of Rachel Portman's that I have, and she keeps getting better every time! The first I got was "Emma", which is nice orchestal music, and pleasant to listen to. However, it all seemed pretty much the same, with little depth and life to it. I hardly listen to it anymore. The next I got, "The Cider House Rules", was much better, and had more depth and emotion to it. It is one that I have listened to on a fairly regular basis, and really enjoy.

So, when I read from anpother reputable film score reviewer (Probably the same one as the reviewer mentions below) that this was even better, and was in fact one of the best he'd heard, I looked forward to listening to it. I actually saw the movie first, and loved the music in the movie, and it made the movie, in so many ways.

When I listened to the score I had to agree: this is one of the best scores I've ever heard, and that's from almost 150! It is much more full of depth, life, and emotion than even "The Cider House Rules" was, and the main theme is very beautiful! Another thing about this score that is different than Portman's previous scores, is the different themes in it. Generally she only uses one main theme and variations in her scores, but that is not the case here.

It does still sound like Rachel Portman though, who, for all the talk about James Horner re-hashing his own scores, does much more of that than Horner even does. But I do not consider that a negative. I look at it like the growth of a child into an adult: you go from being a kid, to a teen, to an adult, but you still look very similar to how you did when you were a kid, and you're still pretty much the same. It's a matter of maturity, and that's what I see here in Rachel Portman's music. "Emma" is like the "Kid", "The Cider House Rules" is like the "Teen", and "The Legend of Bagger Vance" is like the "Adult", mature. We are seeing the maturing of Rachel Portman as a composer, and her music reflects that.

I could go into details of the music, and what it sounds like, but you should really hear that for yourself, because I can't do it justice. It IS very introspective and inspirational, and I definitely recommend getting this score if you like music at all. It's not just one I listen to a lot, it's right up there among the top of my list of favorites. The only thing keeping me from saying it's the best score of the year is the beautiful and inspiring masterpiece that was John Williams' "The Patriot", from earlier this year. But two 5 star + scores in one year is pretty amazing, and "The Patriot"'s greatness does nothing to diminish the greatness that is "The Legend of Bagger Vance"!

I purchased this CD to find a music selection for my daughter's skating routine. I had previously purchased "Cider House Rules" soundtrack and thoroughly enjoyed it, so we purchased this after listening to the samples on Amazon.com. This soundtrack has to be the best one I have heard! I watched the movie after I had listened to the CD, and I must say that Rachel Portman's music brings the movie to a whole new emotional level. I, too, wonder why this was not nominated for an Oscar. Rachel Portman has that special gift to communicate through her music. I look forward to purchasing more of her works.

Simply put, this soundtrack will take your breath away. I'm not a student of music history, and I don't know about "emotional nuances" or "plaintive resolve". I just know that I got chills when I listened to the beautiful score. Rachel Portman really outdid herself this time-- and that takes some doing, considering she's written such great music for other movies like Sirens, Emma and Cider House Rules. I would rank her works equal or above even that of such great composers as John Barry, Michael Kamen, and Hans Zimmer. I loved the music while watching the movie, but sometimes you really can't fully appreciate it until you listen to the soundtrack only. When I did, I liked it even more! Way to go, Rachel! (And kudos to Robert Redford for selecting her.)

An absolutely gorgeous score that, like the movie itself, was overlooked at Oscar time. Why was Portman's score for "Chocolat" nominated over this? Probably because that film GOT several big nominations, while "Bagger Vance" got none. Anyway, like the score for "The Cider House Rules", parts of this score are achingly beautiful. It captures the spirituality as well as the lighter moments of the movie. Highly recommended - and see the movie if you haven't already!

Although this work doesn't rate as high with me as the music from Cider House Rules, this is still an excellent CD. I love Ms.Portman's work...it has feeling and mystery; which a lot of composers lack in their film scores. She has a wonderful with melodies. A lot of my friends who listen to her work magically fall under her music's spell.

You definately won't be disappointed with this one.

When I first saw the picture, the music was one of the two bigger impacts it had on me (cinematography being the other). I had one of those experiences where as soon as the credits were finished I was already planning on purchasing the soundtrack. Problem is the average CD store did not hold it. Lucky for all of us there is Amazon.com!
The music composed by Rachel Portman is nothing short of wonderful! Very American in its orchestration and has often reminded me of the score to JFK (John Williams) & The Natural (Randy Newman/ironically another Redford film). From the scenes where Damon's on the golf course and the camera performs its classic Hitchcock maneuver, to the humorous driving sound as Theron's character takes on the city councilmen, this score proves to be one that must be cherished by all movie music goers.
This is a soundtrack that can inspire people with imagination and heighten the experience of outdoor activities. I myself have played this score while hiking back home and it has performed beautifully. When I play this in my free time it has allowed me to drift away from troubles and distress.
As for the tracks that aren't Portman's composition, they are equally enjoyable. The sound of Muggsy Spanier, Ellington, & Fats Waller are just pure boogie, woogie, oogie know what I mean? Makes you wanna swing.
It's a good soundtrack, one that I am lucky to have in my horde. If you can get it, I highly recommend it.

Great soundtrack, very relaxing and emotional. Very pleased with the cd music, but disappointed in what I had to pay for it. Also, the seller represented it as NEW and it was not. It had been resealed!

When I saw this film I remember thinking, "what an extraordinary soundtrack" and I immediately went out and got the cd. And now a few years later it almost always is in my cd player. I love, love, love soundtracks and this is a homerun to me. I don't remember what the competititon was for the oscars that year but I wish it would have won. I don't even remember if it got a nomination. If you like Randy Newman's work, Aaron Copeland and maybe Hans Zimmer, you will like this cd. She did a really wonderful job. I wish I knew more about the composer.

As I watched this beautiful, wonderful film, I kept thinking "who wrote this AWESOME soundtrack?". While the credits were rolling and Ms. Portman's name rolled by, I thought "who?". I can guarantee you I will be checking out her other works. This soundtrack intertwines itself through the movie and becomes the movie, unlike other soundtracks which are simply a collection of "tunes" and stand apart of the film. This is definitely in a class with "Last of the Mohicans".

Ahh, another excellent score by Rachael! First of all, I must agree with "A Music Fan from the USA" that this score should have been nomninated for an Oscar. The main theme is an incredible one, the rest of the songs are great, and the length is good. This CD isn't very easy to find where I live, so please get it for yourself and enjoy!