The Legend of Bagger Vance | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Legend of Bagger Vance

      PG-13 Released Nov 3, 2000 2h 6m Drama TRAILER for The Legend of Bagger Vance: Trailer 1 List The Legend of Bagger Vance: Trailer 1 The Legend of Bagger Vance: Trailer 1 2:23 View more videos
      43% Tomatometer 130 Reviews 65% Audience Score 50,000+ Ratings During the Great Depression, Georgia socialite Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) announces a publicity-garnering high-stakes match at her struggling family golf course, featuring the greatest golfers of the era. Once-promising local golfer Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), whose career and life were derailed by World War I, is brought in to play alongside the stars, but his game is weak -- until the enigmatic Bagger Vance (Will Smith) offers to coach him back into the great golfer he once was. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      The Legend of Bagger Vance

      Fandango at Home Prime Video

      Rent The Legend of Bagger Vance on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

      The Legend of Bagger Vance

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      Despite the talent involved in The Legend of Bagger Vance, performances are hindered by an inadequate screenplay full of flat characters and bad dialogue. Also, not much happens, and some critics are offended by how the film glosses over issues of racism.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Critics Reviews

      View All (130) Critics Reviews
      David Ansen Newsweek The real sparks are between Damon and the mischievously enigmatic Smith, who dispenses wisdom like a cross between Krishnamurti and Uncle Remus. Mar 7, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Some people will find it simplistic and cliched. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Globe and Mail Rated: 1.5/4 Mar 22, 2002 Full Review Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Rated: 2/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Rated: 2/4 Jul 14, 2007 Full Review Michael Dequina Film Threat Benign, banal, and sometimes boring inspirational drama. Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (1000+) audience reviews
      Matt D This is such a wonderful movie. This movie hits hard if you’ve ever lost your way in life, lost a love one or simply love the game of golf. The movie takes place after the Great Depression and tells a bigger story than the game of golf. If you watch this movie and can fight back the tears or walk away not believing in the spirit of humanity or how there is something bigger than “us” in this universe, this movie isnt for you. I don’t know how critics can dog this movie or not give it at least 3 stars. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/24 Full Review Melodie W I don't understand all the haters. I thought it was an excellent movie. The cinematography, the actors, period costumes, and scenery bring you back in time to 1930s Savannah. Enjoyed Bobby Jones' character and the actor that played him. Matt, Will & Charlize all give great performances. Loved the intertwining wisdom of Baggar Vance (Baghavad Gita) with Golf and Life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/23 Full Review Emanuel Y This movie made me cry. Such a great movie that is parallel to our lives here on earth. We hide, trying to run from our pain, but those who have the eyes to see can see our ''grip'' when we have a bad grip because of the pain in our lives that we aren't willing to deal with. When we come to terms with our pain, and we quit going through life trying to prove something, it enables us to become who God truly created us to be. We are set free when we come out of hiding and quit pretending we are someone that we really aren't. A moving scene is towards the end when Bagger Vance steps away at the last hole and walks away before his final hit. It's a scene of him truly trusting Rannulph Junuh without him being there for his final swing of the game. A scene parallel to how Jesus came to earth for each one of us. He died and rose again. He came to show us The Way. He gave us everything we need. He gave us His spirit. He left this earth again, entrusting it to us, knowing each one of us has what it takes with the challenges of life. And just like Bagger Vance, He will return again to be with His children forever. What an amazing movie. Played so well. It truly ministered to my heart as I cried watching it. To God be the glory for who He is to us. We are His children, and He delights in us. He smiles on us and wants the very best for us. Thank you, thank you, to the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The God of Israel, who will return to Jerusalem and rest His feet on the Mt. of Olives, and judge with righteousness. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/04/23 Full Review Corbin W This really is a great movie with great moments of overcoming adversity. The critics really are full of it on this one. Superb, just watch it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/19/23 Full Review Lindsay M This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is profoundly contemplative and deeply inspiring with wonderful subtleties of sweet humor. Will Smith so perfectly states as Bagger Vance: "I'm trying to tell you a story about overcoming adversity... you don't want to hear about the fungus?". That is the whole point! It might not be for people who have no need for such, but I sure do and can't recommend it more. It speaks to the soul and makes you smile through tears. Give it a watch. Rotten Tomatoes has been wrong about films before, they're very wrong here. Please take my advice. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/01/23 Full Review Joseph H Some of theses critics are just terrible at their jobs I guess. This was a great movie. It reminds me of "The Natural" a little bit. I think I've rewatched it a few times and enjoyed viewing it each time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      73% 72% The Horse Whisperer 97% 87% Quiz Show 41% 70% Hardball 45% 35% Up at the Villa 32% 42% All the Pretty Horses Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Videos

      View All videos

      The Legend of Bagger Vance

      The Legend of Bagger Vance: Trailer 1 The Legend of Bagger Vance: Trailer 1 2:23 View more videos

      Photos

      View All The Legend of Bagger Vance photos

      The Legend of Bagger Vance

      Bagger Vance (WILL SMITH, center) and Rannulph Junuh (MATT DAMON, right) take heart as Junuh's game steadily improves. Bagger Vance (WILL SMITH) agrees to hire young Hardy Greaves (J. MICHAEL MONCRIEF) as Rannulph Junuh's forecaddie. Director ROBERT REDFORD demonstrates a golf swing for stars (left to right) MATT DAMON, WILL SMITH and J. MICHAEL MONCRIEF on the set. Director ROBERT REDFORD (right) confers with star WILL SMITH on the set. The mysterious caddie named Bagger Vance (WILL SMITH, left) hands a club to Rannulph Junuh (MATT DAMON, right) for the shot that will decide more than the match. The mysterious caddie named Bagger Vance (WILL SMITH, left) helps golfer Rannulph Junuh (MATT DAMON, right) decide his next move with the help of his young protégé Hardy (J. MICHAEL MONCRIEF). Hardy Greaves (J. MICHAEL MONCRIEF) goes looking for Rannulph Junuh to ask him to represent Savannah in a once-in-a-lifetime golf match. Rannulph Junuh (MATT DAMON) returns to Savannah an unassuming solitary figure who bears little resemblance to the hero who went off to war. J. Michael Moncrief as Hardy Greaves in Dreamworks' The Legend of Bagger Vance Bagger Vance (Will Smith) offers advice about more than the game to young golfer Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon, right) with the help of his young protege Hardy (J. Michael Moncrief, left). View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis During the Great Depression, Georgia socialite Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) announces a publicity-garnering high-stakes match at her struggling family golf course, featuring the greatest golfers of the era. Once-promising local golfer Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), whose career and life were derailed by World War I, is brought in to play alongside the stars, but his game is weak -- until the enigmatic Bagger Vance (Will Smith) offers to coach him back into the great golfer he once was.
      Director
      Robert Redford
      Producer
      Jake Eberts, Michael Nozik, Robert Redford
      Screenwriter
      Steven Pressfield, Jeremy Leven
      Distributor
      DreamWorks SKG, 20th Century Fox
      Production Co
      Allied Filmmakers, Wildwood Enterprises
      Rating
      PG-13 (Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 3, 2000, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 13, 2013
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $30.7M
      Runtime
      2h 6m
      Sound Mix
      Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.85:1)
      Most Popular at Home Now