SANTA MONICA, CA October 3 2000 - On November 7, Chapter III Records will release the soundtrack to the upcoming Dreamworks Film The Legend of Bagger Vance. The film stars Matt Damon and Will Smith, and is directed by Academy Award-winning director, Robert Redford. The film, based on the best selling novel about life, love and golf by Steven Pressfield, is one of this holiday season’s most widely anticipated releases.
The film, set in the American South in the 1930’s,features Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman’s trademark lush orchestral score and songs of the period. The album includes three of these classic original recordings by the legendary Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, as well as the lesser known Muggsy Spanier.
Ms. Portman was the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Music for her score to 1996’s Emma. She was nominated again in 1999 for the elegant music to The Cider House Rules. Some of the numerous other films scored by Portman include Benny & Joon, Joy Luck Club and Smoke.
Ms. Portman is known for the emotion she brings to films and was handpicked early in the film’s production by Redford himself to compose the score for the film. "He was keen to get me involved as early as possible and was closely involved in helping me find the right direction in the score," Portman recalls. "The inspiration for the music came from the themes and characters in the film. It is a story about a hero who has lost his will to succeed, and his spiritual journey."
The original motion picture soundtrack to The Legend of Bagger Vance will be in stores Nov. 7, the week the film opens nationally.
Chapter III Records is an independent label dedicated to releasing quality film and television soundtracks. It has released such soundtracks albums as Michael Jordan To The Max, Into The Arms of Strangers, Tomorrow Never Dies, 8MM and the best-selling Josh’s Blair Witch Mix, the companion album to the box office hit film The Blair Witch Project. It is distributed by RED Distribution in the United States, Song Entertainment in Canada and various top distributors around the world.