Original subtitles

Sure is some storm a- brewin'.

So, where you off to?

However far it takes.

- You don't expect me to stay around here, do you? - Oh, no, not me.

I consider it one of the six great miracles of the world you was even there at all today.

Let me help you with these bags.

You heard Adele.

Bobby Jones never finished lower than second in any tournament he ever played in.

I believe Miss Adele said he finished lower than second once.

Must've been the week he took his law exams.

Yeah, I believe it was.

Uh, you gonna be needin' these shoes where you're goin', Mr. Junuh?

They look like they just about my size.

- Keep 'em. - Thank you kindly, sir.

Yep, sure is some storm headin' this way.

It's a real pleasure to welcome you to our home.

It's a pleasure to be here, ma'am. Thank you.

Hardy, you take his belongin's up to his room.

- Then come right back. I got chores for you. - Yes'm.

I expect this is the most exciting sportin' event ever.

- Ain't it, Mr. Rice? - Why is that, son?

Why? 'Cause of Jones and Hagen. They's out for blood.

Oh, I didn't come for Jones or Hagen.

I came for Rannulph Junuh.

You come all the way down from New York City to see Junuh?

Uh-huh.

I saw Junuh play once. Then he disappeared.

I'd love to see him play again, especially against Jones and Hagen.

Go get 'em, Junuh! You go get 'em!

God bless you, Junuh! Show 'em what Savannah's made of!

- Go get 'em, Junuh! - Hey, Junuh, give 'em hell!

- "Give 'em hell. " - You can do it!

Damn.

So I takes it you was interested in bein'...

Mr. Junuh's forecaddie.

- No. - No?

- No! - No?

Well, maybe I was,

but I guess I just ain't got the nerve to ask you yet.

I ain't got the time to sit around and wait, so here's what I'm proposin'.

I'm gonna assume that just about the moment you gets up the nerve to ask me...

gonna be just about the same moment I decide I'm gonna tell you yeah.

How that suit you?

- That suits me just fine, sir. - Folks call me Bagger.

Yes, sir, Bagger, sir.

You may want to get to pickin' all the crud out of Mr. Junuh's shoes.

You through with that, we got us some measurin' to do out on the course.

Junuh knew now that if he were to have any chance at all in the tournament,

he had no choice but to come to terms with his demons.

The only question in Junuh's mind...

was which demon was givin' him the most aggravation.

Bagger Vance or Miss Adele Invergordon.

Mr. Jones?

Could you hold, please?

Thank you very much, Mr. Jones.

Any time now. Okay.

That's very nice.

Thank you very much, Mr. Hagen.

Dancin' picture, sir?

Thank you very much.

- ##- That's it. Very nice. Look right over here.

Big smile. No, don't stop dancin'. Stay together.

Just pretend there's music. Keep goin'. Keep goin'.

Look right over here. Okay.

Give me a smile.

Thank you very much.

- May I have the pleasure of this dance, please? - Yes.

Longer.

A little shorter.

How's that?

Yeah, that's good. One stride equals a yard.

You go on over to the tee and start countin'.

Top golfers always tried to get a leg up on the competition...

by havin' the men they trusted most sneak onto the course at night...

and do their own measurements.

So Bagger and I walked the course that night, measurin' away.

Bagger never wrote down a number.

He filed it all in his head.

Hit one a little harder.

Go on. Do that again.

Yeah, right here is where this game is won,

right here on the green, but first you got to see it.

Sun gonna be there in the mornin'

over there in the afternoon.

Funny thing is, the blades of grass...

are gonna follow the sun.

The grain is gonna shift.

That same putt...

is gonna go one way in the mornin',

the other in the afternoon.

One way in the mornin', the other in the afternoon.

You see that?

Yeah, a golf course put folk through quite a punishment.

It lives and breathes just like us.

Do you think Junuh can win?

Yeah, if he can find his authentic swing.

Authentic?

Go on. Hit one more for me.

Yep, inside each and every one of us...

is one true, authentic swing.

Somethin' we was born with, somethin' that's ours and ours alone.

Somethin' that can't be taught to you or learned.

Somethin' that got to be remembered.

Over time, the world can rob us of that swing.

It get buried inside us under...

all our wouldas and couldas and shouldas.

Some folk even forget what they swing was like.

Some folk even forget what they swing was like.

- You keep swingin'. - But I don't have any balls.

Don't worry about hittin' the ball the way it's gonna go.

Just swing the club, feel the club.

Now close your eyes.

- Close my- - You can't make that ball goin that hole.

You got to let it.

I want you to feel that club, feel the weight of the club.

Settle in deeper, then drop the ball soft as butter.

Listen to the sounds of the night.

You just keep swingin' that club until you feel the breeze comin' off the sea.

Inside every one of us is one true, authentic swing.

You just keep swingin' that club until your authentic swing-

You're part of the whole thing, somethin' you was born with.

That's a good thing.

I don't feel a thing.

You just keep swingin' that club until you're part of the whole thing.

That's a good thing.

Can you see it?

All right, time to go.

Why?

They say that God is happiest when His children are at play.

Well, it certainly seemed like God was in fine spirits when the day of the match dawned.

People came from far and wide.

There wasn't a room to be found in either boarding house or the Krewe Island Hotel.

The match had been designed as the ultimate championship.

thirty-six holes on Saturday...

followed by another grueling thirty-six holes on Sunday.

Good luck today.

Where's Hagen?

Oh, he'll be here.

- Hello, Mr. Junuh. How are you? Bob, how are you? - Walter.

They do put on a splendid show, don't they, O.B.?

I hear that later today they'll even be hittin' some golf balls.

Ladies and gentlemen.

By virtue of the draw,

Mr. Jones will hit first,

Mr. Hagen second,

and then Mr. Junuh.

Shh.

And then suddenly, in that moment,

I felt as if I could hear the earth breathin' beneath me.

Junuh hit a promising opening drive,

and I was sure he was on his way.

Nice shot. Absolutely.

It's hard to imagine three more different approaches to the game of golf.

Bobby Jones's swing was a study of grace in motion.

He had a way of making the difficult shots look easy...

and the easy shots look even easier.

Hagen, on the other hand, hit more bad shots in a single game...

than most golfers do in a season.

But Hagen had long ago learned one thing.

Three lousy shots and one brilliant shot can still make par.

And Junuh, well, even now I can't think of it without wincin'.

- Beach. - Go ball, go.

- Yep. Beach.

We sure got lovely weather for it this morning, though, don't we?

Let me get that from you, sir.

Any ideas?

Hmm. About what?

Could you give me a club?

Yeah. That's a good one there.

What the hell's wrong with his grip?

By the end of five holes, Junuh was five strokes behind...

with 67 holes to go.

And things would've been a lot worse if it weren't for Junuh's shot on the sixth.

- It was a birdie, one stroke under par...

for the hole, moving him to four behind Jones and Hagen...

and his only glimmer of hope for the entire round.

I think I found my game.

Good news, Mr. Junuh. Now all we gots to do is figure out what game that is.

By the 18th tee, at the close of the morning round,

Jones and Hagen were neck and neck.

- And as for Junuh- - This is becoming embarrassing.

Oh, no, sir. It's been embarrassing for quite some time now.

May I make a suggestion to you?

- What now? - Why don't you just hook it out of bounds?

Yeah. Just curve it out over them pretty trees into the ocean.

Really, just do what you been doin'. Then you'll be so far out the match,

man, we can just relax, enjoy ourselves the rest of the way.

Yeah.

What you waitin' for? Go on.

Just hook it to hell and gone. Put yourself out your misery.

You want to quit, Mr. Junuh?

You can just go ahead and creep off somewhere.

I'll tell folk you took sick. Truth be told, ain't nobody gonna really object.

Fact, they'd probably be happy as bugs in a bake shop, see you pack up and go home.

You know I can't quit.

I know.

Just makin' sure you know it too.

Man alive! The fairway.

Hello, Bagger. Hello. Mr. Bagger Vance.

I want an explanation. It better be a good one.

What on God's green earth are you tellin' him?

Sir, I'd sure be most appreciative if we talk about this a bit later.

Right now I'm busy assisting Mr. Junuh.

- You have done a hell of a job so far. - Okay, okay!

Let me talk to him, Neskaloosa.

Mr. Vance, I think what the judge is trying to determine here...

is what exactly your strategy is for helping poor Mr. Junuh find his game,

because to the untrained observer it appears you know as much about being a caddie...

as I do about driving a locomotive.

Oh, you-all want to know my strategy.

Well, right now my player is a little confused about who he is.

See, he still thinks he's Rannulph Junuh.

He is Rannulph Junuh, you damn twit.

Well, he is and he ain't.

- Thank you. Thank you.

Anybody drinkin'? Here. I'm gonna get a drink.

It'll come.

I had me a uncle named Rufus.

Lost his right arm in a cotton gin.

Learned how to do everything with his left arm.

Then he lost that changing a wagon wheel.

Axle snapped, chopped off his left arm. Learned to do everything with his teeth.

- It was a mistake. - One night he says some things to Mr. Johnny...

He shouldn't had said.

Mr. Johnny knock all the teeth out his head.

- So he learned how to do everything with his feet.

Up till he got this, uh, fungus. It grew-

- Stop it. - I'm trying to tell you about overcoming adversity.

Listen, you want to talk to me about my grip, fine.

- Talk about my swing, fine. - You don't wanna hear about the fungus?

He became a dancer. Oh, he made a fortune.

It was the most amazing thing to see this armless, toothless man sliding across the stage...

to the music of Bessie Smith and the Duke.

I don't care if I'm 12 strokes back. I just don't.

You don't even want to win?

- It's just a game, Bagger. - Ah. Yes, sir.

You done said it yourself now. Just a game.

So maybe, just maybe, there is something else that's rilin' you.

Maybe you thought you was just gonna sashay out onto that green...

and the old hero of Savannah just reappear all by himself.

Don't work that way, is all.

The Junuh you was, you ain't never gonna be again.

Ever. That's all I'm sayin'.

You don't know a damn thing about me.

I know one thing for sure. You gonna look pretty foolish...

with two different shoes on your feet.

Ah, Jesus.

You got an answer for everything, don't you, Bagger?

Let me tell you something. There's no difference between winning and losing...

and anything in between.

What's lost is lost. A man lives. A man dies.

And in the end it all turns out the same.

You're alone. And that's all you're ever gonna be.

Is that a fact? Alone.

So, a soul is born with everything that the Lord can give it,

and things don't go its way, so it just gives up, and the good Lord takes everything back?

- That's right. - And then the soul dies.

- Alone. Was that pretty much what you're sayin'? - That's right.

That's a sad story, Mr. Junuh.

- Yes, it is. - And that's just about the dumbest thing...

I heard any fool say... ever.

You got yourself a hard eye there, Mr. Junuh.

Soul is born with everything, it dies, and the good Lord-

You a funny man, Mr. Junuh.

Now, what I hear, Bobby's just waitin' to make his big move.

He doesn't wanna peak too early.

You think Walter doesn't know that?

He's keeping pace with Bobby step for step,

and when Bobby kicks his game into high gear, he's in for a big surprise.

What about Junuh?

Well, what about him, son?

Well, there's still three rounds to go, and that's 54 holes.

All he's got to do is pick up one stroke...

every four holes, and he wins.

- It's possible. - Well, it's possible, son, but it's not very likely.

I mean, I have been told that Junuh shows no sign of gettin' his game together.

He's playin' Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.

What do you know? You can't even get yourself a decent job!

Hardy! Hardy Greaves, you come back here.

Let him go, Ida.

Been a hard time for the boy.

There something you wanted to tell me?

Well, I'm tryin' to think of how to say it, Junuh.

There is a purpose to this visit,

and that's to apologize.

But I'm not a naturally apologetic woman, so it takes me longer...

to get my thoughts in order.

I want to seem properly contrite for having gotten you into this golf match...

but not seem that what I did was ill-intentioned, because it was not.

What exactly are you apologizin' for?

For publicly humiliating you.

Oh. Well, that'd be a good thing to apologize for.

However... I think that...

basically, what I'm trying to say is- is that I'm sorry.

But it's not my fault.

You're the one to blame.

That's one hell of an apology, Adele.

I'd stop the tournament in a flash, if I could.

I truly, truly would, because I know it's just gonna get worse.

And the way...

And the way you're playin'! You're simply destroyin' any chance...

Jones and Hagen have of playin' well.

And your supporters, who are every man, woman and child in Savannah,

are so demoralized that they can barely hold down their lunches.

-So, you want my apology or not? -No.

Well.

That's the Junuh I know.

-Just full of little surprises. -What was it, Adele?

What did you like about us?

I liked the way we danced.

What's your problem?

And they was just lookin' at me like I was stupid or crazy or something.

To think that you could beat Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen bein' 12 strokes behind,

even though I told them all you had to do was pick up one stroke...

every four holes for the next 54 holes, right?

-Yeah, right. -And who do you think was tellin' me...

what a hopeless case you was the most?

My very own father, who says that he was a good friend of yours...

until you lost your mind in the war.

He's right.

You can't win?

He was a good friend of mine.

He's sweepin' streets, Captain Junuh,

in the middle of Savannah where everybody can see him.

Me, my friends and everybody.

You feelin' sorry for yourself because your daddy's got to sweep streets?

He ain't the only man who can't get work.

Wilbur Charles's dad can't get work neither,

but he says he'd rather do nothin' at all than something beneath his dignity.

-Grow up, Hardy. -It ain't time for me to grow up, Mr. Junuh.

Your daddy's out sweepin' streets because he took every last dime he had...

and used it to pay up every man and woman he owed...

and every business who worked for him, instead of declaring bankruptcy...

Like everyone else in town, including your best friend Wilbur Charles's dad, Raymond,

which is why he's able to sit around all day long on his dignity.

You daddy stared adversity in the eye, Hardy,

and he beat it back with a broom.

You really love this game, don't you?

The greatest game there is.

You really think so?

Ask anybody. It's fun. It's hard.

You stand out there on that green, green grass,

and it's just you and the ball, and there ain't nobody to beat up on but yourself.

Just like Mr. Noonan keeps hittin' himself with a golf club every time he gets angry.

He's broken his toe three times on account of it.

This is the only game I know you can call a penalty on yourself-

if you're honest, which most people are.

There just ain't no other game like it.

I better get goin'.

In case you didn't see that, Bobby, remind me when we're out there.

I'll show you where it's at when your second shot catches up to it.

Oh, yes. Greatest game there is.

-Right, Hardy? -Yes, sir.

The greatest game there will ever be.

-Just you and the ball. -All by your lonesome.

I think it's time.

-Time for what? -Time for you to see the field.

The field? I see the field. It's 445 yards long.

It's got a little red flag at the end of it. It's 12 strokes ahead of me.

-Come on. -That ain't it.

'Cause if you was seein' the field, you wouldn't be hackin' at that ball...

Like you was choppin' weeds out from under your front porch.

Just gimme the club.

Sorry I bring it up. Here. You gonna take that. Hack away.

All right. What's the field?

Fix your eyes on Bobby Jones.

Here's a piece of work here right now.

Give the man room.

Knock it out there, Bobby.

Look at his practice swing.

Almost like he's searchin' for somethin'.

Then he finds it.

Watch how he settle himself right into the middle of it.

Feel that focus.

He got a lot of shots he could choose from.

Duffs and tops and skulls.

But there's only one shot that's in perfect harmony with the field.

One shot that's his... authentic shot.

And that shot is gonna choose him.

There's a perfect shot out there tryin' to find each and every one of us.

All we gotta do is get ourselves out of its way.

Let it choose us.

Mm. Look at him. He in the field.

Can't see that flag as some dragon you got to slay.

You got to look with soft eyes.

See the place where the tides and seasons...

and the turnin' of the earth...

all come together.

Where everything that is...

becomes one.

You got to seek that place with your soul, Junuh.

Seek it with your hands. Don't think about it.

Feel it. Your hands is wiser than your head ever gonna be.

I can't take you there, Junuh.

Just hopes I can help you find a way.

Just you, that ball,

that flag,

and all you are- seek it with your hands.

Don't think about it. Feel it. You're lookin' at it, Junuh.

Your authentic swing. That flag.

And all that you are.

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then, Bobby.

The rest of that afternoon is a blur.

Junuh kept asking question after question about the field,

while Bagger just acted like nothin' much had happened...

and kept makin' remarks about how much Hagen's socks must have cost...

and how long to dry tobacco leaves before they make a good smoke.

But somehow, in the middle of it all,

Junuh started playin' golf.

As the day and the second round came to an end, there was genuine excitement.

I do so enjoy this little game.

Why don't you ladies freshen up, and I'd love you to join me for dinner.

Hello, Hugh. Junuh.

-I'll have a double Scotch. -All right, sir.

Pretty entertaining out there today, huh?

That's what the people want. Entertainment.

I got a proposition, Junuh. Exhibitions are the thing now.

Five, ten grand for two days' work.

How'd you like to go on tour with me? We'd have some good matches.

I'd expect to win, of course. But then we'd split the money 70-30 afterwards.

You'd get the 30.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not just lookin' for another payday here.

I couldn't breathe if it weren't for this game of golf.

I once had the next king of England hold the pin for me while I putted!

Did you know that? I did.

Yes, I've paid back everything that golf gave me several times over,

and now I'm on the receiving end.

Whoo. It's the good life, Junuh.

-Why me? -The crowd likes you.

I think we have a lot in common, you and I.

You've got no illusions that there's anything out there worth gettin' riled up about.

The meaning of it all is that there is no meaning.

Ah, you'd be good company. That's all I'm sayin'.

Thanks, Walter. I'll think it over.

Hey. I admire the way you're dealing with this match, Junuh.

Fighting the way you are. It's damn noble.

But no matter how good a fighter you are,

just remember, I can ask the king to hold the flag for me when I putt.

But he's not gonna give me his crown. Neither is Bobby, and neither am I.

I'm not asking for your crown, Walter.

If I wanted it bad enough, I'd just take it.

Was there something you wished to discuss? Because this might not be the right time to-

I can win, Adele.

I can beat both of 'em.

Look in my eyes and tell me what you see.

Determination. Pure determination.

Panic, Adele. Pure panic.

I'm eight strokes behind the two greatest golfers in the history of the sport.

They've never blown a lead in their lives, and I'm gonna win. You know why?

-Panic? -That's right.

-Oh, Junuh. You don't, by any chance- -Yes.

Oh, I ought to go back to my guests.

Yes. I should go back to my guests.

You- You will stay in touch?

I don't think I can wait another 12 years for the next installment.

Was there something about me that you particularly missed?

Something that I can feel gratified about depriving you of all these years?

I like the way we danced.

Make sure you got enough balls in there. Got another sweater?

-Got enough water? -Driver. I need the driver.

This is gonna take everything I got.

Oh, that's for sure. That's a jigger. Help you keep it under the wind.

Bagger, my putter's got more loft than this thing.

-Well, actually, they just about the same. -Oh. Well, that's good.

I'll just putt the ball down the fairway, then. Anything else?

Just bash the livin' shit out of it.