This is a story of hardship, devastation, and redemption. Junuh (Mat Damon), was perhaps the finest young golfer of his day. He won the state championship and by all opinions was sure to be one of the best pro golfers ever to come along. When WWI came along, it was just natural for him to join up, and being placed in charge of his group, they all went off to war together. By an unfortunate event, all of his men are killed, except him. He is awarded a Medal of Honor, but is haunted by the fact that he lived. Nobody ever said it, but he imagined that everybody somehow always blamed him for living, and for everybody else dying. After the war, he never went back to golf. Junuh's girlfriend when he was in college, was the daughter of probably the richest man in town, Charlize Theron. They were in love and everyone expected them to marry and just live the storybook life. Junuh wasn't right in the head for quite a while after the war, and didn't return for several years. When he did, he lived pretty much like a hermit until the Great Depression hit and everybody went broke. His old girlfriend's daddy had spent everything he had to build a premiere golf course and resort complex. Facing a loss of everything, he killed himself. Now his daughter is being squeezed by the creditors to sell for just cents on the dollar. As a last ditch effort to gain publicity and excite the golfing public from around the country, she proposes a $10,000, "Winner take all" tournament between Bobby Jones, and Walter Hagan, the two best golfers in the country. The City Council wants a local golfer to also participate, but there isn't one. A small child who is a golf fan suggests Junuh. Everybody agrees and they try to do whatever they can to entice him. He says NO! His old girlfriend visits him and eventually gets him to compete. But there is a problem. . .He hasn't played in more than ten years, and he has lost his swing. While trying to hit a few balls in the dark, a mysterious black man appears. He apparently is just passing thru and Junuh offers him some food. While watching Junuh, he tells him that "it looks like you lost your swing". Jujuh is stunned, but listens to him. His name is Bagger Vance (Will Smith). Together, Junuh overcomes his past demons and goes on to compete. Thru all sorts of problems, Junuh keeps on fighting back. Once ten strokes back, he keeps on fighting, and eventually regains his control until the event ends in a three-way tie. The Bagger Vance character is a virtually "supernatural" force not only teaching Junuh about golf, but of the spiritual redemption of self-forgiveness and moving ahead with ones life. Really beautiful movie.Read full review
Excellent film with great characters. Matt Damon and Charlieze Theron are spectacular and Will Smith is perfect. Great story, improvement on book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE, based on the book of the same title by Steve Pressfield, uses golf as the basis for this spiritual tale of friendship, self-discovery, and faith. His incredible prowess at the game of golf makes young Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) the pride of Savannah, Georgia in 1916. When Junuh enlists and is sent overseas to fight in World War I, the reality of war proves too much for him. Rather than return to Savannah a broken man, he simply disappears, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, feisty socialite Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). When Junuh finally does return to Savannah in 1931, he is coerced into representing his hometown in a golf tournament against legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. But Junuh has lost his swing, and only begins to find it again with the help of Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a mysterious drifter who appears out of the night and offers his services as a caddy. Ultimately, Vance is a spiritual force, teaching Junuh not only about the game, but also about life in this beautifully filmed work directed by Robert Redford (ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE HORSE WHISPERER). Jack Lemmon narrates and makes a brief appearance in the film.Read full review
Will Smith plays an dynamic role in this film. Glad to make it part of my collection. Great service with this seller too. I may see if there are any more Smith dvd available.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Fantastic movie a la Robert Redford style. He weaves life themes and lessons into a story about a has been golf extraordinaire. The movie encompasses the themes of loyalty, dignity, adversity, and gives new meaning to the idea that all of us is a unique in some divine way. The trick is to stop living in the past, forgive yourself, and find and live in your "authentic self." No psychobabble. Pacing is perfect. I watched it maybe 10x since I rediscovered it. Superb performance by a young Jack Lemmon. Brought back the nostalgia of sport inspired community bonding in the days before contracts, big money, and power. A true delight to watch Will Smith play Bagger Vance character. Redford always has a theme about perfect timing in his movies, and it appears he directs with the same grounded freedom. Absolutely not to be missed. Matt Damon believable without going over the top-another of Redford's trademarks is his movies that touch your heart and inspire mindful thoughts about the human condition. Beautiful piece of work. A true pleasure to watch again and again. Thank you!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great story with Jack Lemon narration and Robert Redford’s lovely images.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This movie, directed by Robert Redford and very well performed by Damon and specially Theron, talks about life through a simply golf game. A retired golfer (Damon), overthrowned by his war expierence, is put back to the fields in a competition where hi will face his past and his fear again.However, his perfomance is not as satisfactory as it's been expected due to his lack of confidence. It will take a miraculous caddy to make him overcome his gosths. That is how he reach the top of his game but also falls again as he remains his faliure in war. This movie teaches us about life, how we live; how we face our victories and our defeats. Both not in one nor the other we are alone, that we have people surronding us that will help us to move on. So I recomend this movie, not as a spectacularone, but as an important and recomfortingone. I think is very touching. A well made drama and not a melodrama.Read full review
As an aspiring writer, I have to say that this film proves why I never run out of fascination for what the human-mind can generate . . . In my humble opinion this film / story / is right up there among the classic *Mythical-Spiritual-Classics* such as *The Bishop's Wife* & *It's a Wondefull Life* . . . + *The Green Mile* . . . Cast: Will Smith / Like Michael Clarke Duncan / (as John Coffey in *The Green Mile*), sets a high mark that is matched by Theron, Damon, & the entire Cast . . . and Jack Lemon's (uncredited)involvement / and narration / just tops off the cast . . . + the actor who plays Bobby Jones could be his almost-exact Twin . . . even his swing is a virtual-carbon-copy . . . Golf segments, depression settings, story line, are all very realistic & believable . . . I highly recommend that you add this film to your collection . . . just plain *100%-ENTERTAINING* . . . Best to all [ dsm8488 ] . . .Read full review
I have this product for my personal collection on both DVD and VHS. I have purchased it as gifts for golfing friends.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A Very Good Movie, for a couple to watch alone, or for the whole family to watch. gives you that unspoken encouragement to just do better, gives simple words on the way to move forward with life for someone who's dealt with war or a deep burden for your fellowman. fondness in looking through the eyes of the young boy who seems very grown up for his age. a hint of seductive romance, and the unspoken attraction that this couple has for each other. the story is based on one intense game of golf in a hometown southern setting and a time in the life of a very handsome young single man. not a tear jerker, just all around goodness.
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