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The Legend of Bagger Vance [VHS]
 
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The Legend of Bagger Vance [VHS] (2000)

Will Smith (Actor), Matt Damon (Actor), Robert Redford (Director) | Rated: PG-13 | Format: VHS Tape
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews) |

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Product Details

  • Actors: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Bruce McGill, Joel Gretsch
  • Directors: Robert Redford
  • Writers: Jeremy Leven, Steven Pressfield
  • Producers: Chris Brigham, Jake Eberts, Joseph P. Reidy, Karen Tenkhoff, Michael Nozik
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: English
  • Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Run Time: 126 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005UWNA
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #461,801 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Legend of Bagger Vance doesn't break any new ground, but with Steven Pressfield's inspirational novel to guide them, director Robert Redford and screenwriter Jeremy Leven have tilled fertile soil with a graceful touch. Redford does for golf what A River Runs Through It did for fly-fishing: the sport is a conduit for a philosophy of living, and Redford achieves the small miracle of making golf a central metaphor that's visually compelling.

Set in Savannah, Georgia, during the early '30s, the story charts the redemption of disillusioned World War I veteran and former golf champion Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), who emerges from self-imposed obscurity in an exhibition match against legendary golfers Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill). Having earlier abandoned the socialite (Charlize Theron) who has organized the tournament to promote her late father's spectacular golf resort, Junuh now depends on the support of a young fan (perfectly cast newcomer J. Michael Moncrief) and the mysterious Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a smiling Jiminy Cricket who serves as Junuh's caddy, golf guru, and Socratic angel of mercy.

As Junuh regains the "authentic swing" he feared was lost forever, Redford guides his splendid cast through a spiritual journey that is specific to the discipline of golf and yet potently universal. As always, Redford also conveys his respect for nature and the rhythms of life as well as a sweet nostalgia for simpler times and purer values. With the casting of Jack Lemmon as the film's present-day narrator and elderly version of Moncrief's character, The Legend of Bagger Vance gains even greater dignity and, indeed, the glowing aura of legend. --Jeff Shannon

From The New Yorker

Robert Redford, directing in pastoral-elegy mode: the light is golden, the colors are blended, and drama is nowhere to be found. He's made a tall tale about golf in the early thirties, with Matt Damon as a Savannah athlete demoralized by the First World War and Will Smith as an angelic black caddie who emerges from the gloaming and restores Damon by whispering incomprehensible remarks in his ear about feeling his way to an "authentic stroke." With Charlize Theron around, Damon shouldn't have any trouble restoring himself through love, but the movie is too dreamy and silly for sex. Again and again, the camera takes the point of view of a golf ball on simulated flights through the air. The ball lands with a thunk-and so does the movie. -David Denby
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Drama at its finest. May 19, 2003
Format:DVD
This is a drama. Don't watch it looking for action of a lot of laughs, but don't think you won't enjoy it just because it doesn't have tons of humor or action. It deals with very real pain and develops some very strong characters.

The movie is set in the Savannah, Georgia in the middle of the Great Depression. Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon, is a war veteran and former golfer who at one time possesed a lot of talent, but has now lost his "swing", not to mention his faith. Despite this he has been asked to play in an exhibition match against the two greatest golfers of his day. His caddy is Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith. Bagger is an angel, Junuh's gaurdian angel. He is the guide who shows Junuh the way to rid himself of his inner demons, and move on with his life.

This movie is wonderful film, and another of Redford's works of art. The acting is superb, and will be hard to surpass. The casting was done very well, and the story extremely well written. Don't miss this one.

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of the things I love best about Robert Redford's movies is the singular visual quality he employs in each, and the way he uses the environment to add to the telling of the tale. Whether it be in the breath-taking "A River Runs Through It", in which the stunning Montana countryside is a virtual unattributed co-star in the film, or "The Horse Whisperer", in which every rugged natural element about the pristine rural surroundings add to the tale, he always uses his topography, climate, and setting to charm the audience into the frame of reference he is using to spin his yarn. This is no less so here, where he uses the gorgeous background of the rural countryside in telling this tale of a man coming to terms with his potential.

This is a classic tale of a professional golfer with almost unlimited potential who is content to let it all ride because he is basically afraid of success. And with Matt Damon, he finds a believable and sympathetic protagonist who decides to take the chance and make the effort based on the mysterious appearance and subsequent profound influence of Bagger Vance, an almost angelic figure who we are finally left to wonder about. Will Smith steps out of his usual cocky roles to give a thoughtful and whimsical performance, and add immeasurably to the film.

Smith acts as a fulcrum throughout the movie, showing us the wisdom of homespun realism as opposed to city wisdom, of simple virtues as opposed to more sophisticated aims and pursuits, and of honesty and craftsmanship over gamesmanship and conniving.
This movie is very much in line with his previous efforts in "the Natural', another whimsical tale about a man coming to term with his talents and his demons, learning to finally accept both as coming from him at the same time he resolves his existential situation. This is the case here, too, and one walks away from the film feeling good about the world. And watching Charlize Theron support her man is enough to make anyone cheer.

This is beautifully filmed period piece, and all of the production values from costumes to dialogue to settings to historical accuracy are impeccable drawn together in service to the plot and resolution. The golf sequences are extremely well done, and there is hardly a golf fan in the world who wouldn't like the film just on that basis alone. For those of us who are fans of Redford's work, this is another in a series of thoughtful efforts to paint us a picture of an alternative side to this busy and frantic world we might otherwise never see. Enjoy!

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I absolutely love this movie. I know it gets some mixed reviews but I think it is because the world is way too cynical. Redford does and excellent job with view of sport as Metaphor for life. Juna has lost his swing which in life terms is his soul and must get it back if he is going to get back in the game. Bagger is a spiritual sage (caddy) of some sort who is there to help him find his way.

The cinematography is just breathtaking. The golfcourse looks like the Garden of Eden. I love stories about larger than life characters on a great journey. This is certainly one of them. The movie just makes you feel good about life. I find the score enchanting as it especially enhances the golf scenes. A very pleasing movie indeed. Will Smith does a great job in his untradional dramatic role although he has a few rather humorous parts.

The best is Lemmon's ending line as narrator. "Bagger always said it is a game that can't be won only played. So I played. I play on. I play for the moments yet to come. Looking for my place in the field."

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Gita of Bagger Vance
This movie is adapted from the Steven Pressfield's novel, "The Legend of Bagger Vance," in which the author discusses the metaphysics of Bhagavad-Gita in a golf game setting. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Rama Rao
Molls
I am collecting movies I have seen for a friend that loves golf and I feel this is one he'll love along with his family.
Published 1 month ago by molls
Got to see movie
I bought the movie for my husband and he is delighted with the movie and the condition of the product. He must have watched it 3 times in the first week. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rosie
A Alcoholic film
When I first saw this movie I thought it was about Golf, but when I really dialed in, it spoke of an alcoholic trying to find his way of life (his swing) and he needed help from a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Diz Titcher
Great
I bought this used, not a scratch on the DVD. If you're going to mind the very very slight wear on the case then its simple... buy your movie brand new. Very fast delivery... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Not_A_Critic
A beautiful parable about Life lessons to learn on a golf course
First, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" is a wonderful story played out on a golf course that beautifully demonstrates the attitude we should have about the challenges we face in our... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ray Gray
Will Smith Movie
I watched this so long ago that I really don't remember too much about it except that it was ok. I didn't dislike it. There was drama, romance and golf! It was ok.
Published 18 months ago by Dena Leasure
LACK OF CONFIRMATION OF AMAZON.COM
I mistakenly order the same item twice, simply because you're ordering procedure does not show a buy or confirm order. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Raymond E. Schneider Jr.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
One of the best of its kind: It's historical, funny, one of Matt Damon and Will Smith's best performances, and the last of Jack Lemmon's movie performances. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Jane Blazek
Review of the Book
The service of ordering and receiving the book was good. However I was disapointed with the book. It wasn't at all what I expected from the book.
Published on April 27, 2010 by Big Ed
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