Product Details

• Actors: Patrick McGoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
• Format: Color, DVD, Limited Edition, Restored, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• DVD Release Date: November 11, 2008
• Run Time: 287 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001DPHDCE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,455 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"On the southern coast of England/There’s a legend people tell/Of days long ago when the great Scarecrow/Would ride from the jaws of hell/And laugh with a fiendish yell." Okay, it may not be as catchy as "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," but anyone who was glued to their TV sets in 1964 to watch the continuing adventures and heroic exploits of Dr. Syn on the Disney anthology series, The Wonderful World of Color, should feel a shiver of excitement that goes beyond mere nostalgia at hearing this theme song again. Old-fashioned to be sure, but The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh is still a ripping yarn and rousing family entertainment with its unforgettable hero, despicable villain, galloping chases and breathless escapes. Grandly produced in England, this three-part miniseries is "a story of high adventure and heart," as Walt Disney states in his folksy and avuncular episode introductions. Patrick McGoohan (known at the time for his iconic role as John Drake on Danger Man) stars as Dr. Syn, who leads a double life as a mild-mannered village vicar by day, and a fearsome avenger known as the Scarecrow by night. The haunting burlap-masked Scarecrow is a folk hero to the villagers, who are overtaxed by King George III, and brutalized by his press-gangs, who violently shanghai men into Navy service. Only two know the Scarecrow’s true identity, his sexton Mipps (George Cole), and the local Justice of the Peace’s son, John (Sean Scully, from Disney’s The Prince and the Pauper). There is a love story between John’s older sister and conflicted and compassionate English soldier Lt. Brackenbury (Eric Flynn), but it doesn’t slow things down or get too yucky. Over the course of three near-hour-long episodes, the Scarecrow foils attempts by his nemesis, General Pugh (Geoffrey Keen) to capture him, or intimidate villagers into giving him up. Leonard Maltin does his usual sterling job as enthusiastic host, who introduces the series, reflects on its place in the Disney canon, and credits the restoration efforts that made this pristine presentation possible. This two-disc set presents the miniseries as it originally aired, and also includes the widescreen feature film version that was released overseas. Disc one contains an interesting featurette about Dr. Syn’s historical and literary origins. Disc two features a segment about the British films that launched Disney’s live-action feature film career. This welcome addition to the Walt Disney Treasures line does full justice to one of Disney’s most wanted titles. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great memento of Disney's epic, grand days of television, November 14, 2008

By 

Greg Ehrbar "'MouseTracksOnline'" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures) (DVD)

Of the three newest Walt Disney Treasures DVD packages, this is perhaps the lesser known, but it is by no means the least important. It's what used to be known as "rip-roaring" great adventure, produced on a rich, grand scale unheard-of during the period in which it first appeared.

"Dr. Syn," which was based on British novels and legends explained on a fascinating documentary also included on disc one, is a Robin Hood or Zorro of sorts. But the difference is that Dr. Syn is a highly respected minister who completely fools the pompous bad guys. Yet, in this three-part series, the villains are fleshed out and not caricatured. The dignity and seriousness of the drama holds up beautifully today without the slightest sense of cliché.

In this 2-disc set, you get all three WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR hours with introductions by Walt himself, plus the edited feature-length version released theatrically in Europe in the 60's and then in the U.S. in the 1970's. But the aspect ratio of the original print has been restored for this release so you'll even see the television versions in more depth than before, with gorgeous restored prints and sound that especially brings out the lush musical score (I wish it was on a separate track!)

And speaking of music, you'll get to see who sings the haunting "Scarecrow" theme--Terry Gilkyson, who also wrote "The Bare Necessities," along with George Patterson and The Wellingtons. The only detail left out is that The Wellingtons are best known for singing the Gilligan's Island theme in its first season (there's more about them in "Mouse Tracks").

The other mini-documentary traces Walt Disney's long and fruitful live-action movie enterprises in the United Kingdom with comments by several of those involved including director Ken Annakin. It's great that the live-action part of Walt Disney's art is getting recognized and appreciated.

Most of all, if you are a fan of the TV classics The Prisoner or Secret Agent, you have to have this because Patrick McGoohan is in top form in this film, even to his remarkably varied speaking voice which transforms his character as much as his mask.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ready to be petrified again, September 6, 2008

By 

J. Gambold "Boris Karloff''s Pal" (Wiltshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures) (DVD)

OK, so I'm a Limey from across the water. That said, I went wild when I saw that this is, at last, being released in a restored version. This movie 'changed my life' since it was the first film I ever saw at a cinema as the 'B' film with 'The Sword and the Stone' and frightened me so much (Pat MacGoohan's make-up and voice) that it was instilled in a six year old's memory as his first 'horror' movie! I have try to find this for about twenty years, reading that Disney were to release it and then not. I even bought a rather poor quality video of the movie which, at least gave me a taste of what I had seen so many years ago, but wished that the problems that seemed to stop it being released on DVD could be eradicated.
Now, it finally gets its release and I can't wait!
Does anyone know if there any extras on it? A Leonard Maltin introduction and history of the TV series/Movie would be great.
Joth (Scarecrow) Gambold UK

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Time Classic, August 6, 2008

By 

Glenn Geiss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures) (DVD)

This Disney classic was based on the novel "Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh" written by Russell Thorndike and premiered on the TV Show World of Disney in 1963. This three part series was later edited as a movie and released theatrically six years later. Both the original three part series as well as the theatrical movie are included here.

Essentially an updated Robin Hood style tale set in the 1700s it's a great family movie. While it is a bit dated now compared to other swashbuckling summer blockbusters (after all, it was made for TV originally) it offers a simple moral story and excellent acting, especially by Patrick McGoohan, who plays the title role.

I loved this show as a kid, and it's well worth revisiting, young and old.