Stars: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill, Harve Presnell, Thomas Jay Ryan, Danny Nelson, Jack Lemmon, Karen Moncrieff, Dermot Crowley, Joel Gretsch, Michael O'Neill, Carrie Preston

Director: Robert Redford

Summary: An adaptation of the novel by Steven Pressfield. This is the story of Rannulph Junuh, an amateur golfer, who after serving in World War I, lost his confidence and drifted into alcholism. He is persuaded to take part in a local tournament and soon it becomes apparent that he has also lost his golf skills. A stranger by the name of Bagger Vance becomes Rannulph's caddy and helps him get back into the swing.

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.

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Based on the bestselling novel by Steven Pressfield, The Legend of Bagger Vanceis 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 Vancefinds 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 Vanceon 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

Aspect Ratio:	1.85 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Robert Redford Insights Video, Making Of Featurette, Production Notes, Cast And Crew Biographies, Original Theatrical Trailer, Domestic Teaser Trailer, New Butch Cassidy Trailer
Subtitles:	English
Year:	2000
Release Date:	February 11, 2002
Runtime:	121 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	19943 D V D
Keywords:	Comedy, General, Wide, Screen, Legend, Drama, Vance, Bagger
Genre:	Drama