Customer Reviews

Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures)

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3 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Well, we can all stop cheering, and anyone who didn't get "Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" in the nearly full month it sat on shelves will just have to go back to wringing their hands. Disney in their infinite and spasmodic commercial wisdom has pulled the plug on this highly anticipated and much discussed release. Now making it officially "out-of-print."
This is a laboriously baffling turn. I saw Dr. Syn advertised upon release and thought excitedly that I had my mother's Christmas all sewn up. But, like an idiot, I assumed a big ticket holiday release would at least last for the holiday shopping season before receding into that miserly Disney oblivion where so many of our favorites have languished over the years. As a result of my waiting nearly a month I had to shell out twice the msrp to make sure my mom gets a copy, and some are going on ebay for twice that!
So thanks Disney for the impressive Christmas tease. Oh, and while I'm at it, Thanks for Beverly Hills Chihuahua...you deranged psychos.

Like others, I was signed up to be notified by Amazon when this dvd was to be released, but never received any notification. Add to that Disney's BONEHEADED move of discontinuing it almost immediately, and you end up with a lot of frustrated customers. (Walt must be spinning in his grave.) I have a hard time paying 250% of the original price for a dvd that was just released.

I remember seeing this as a kid, but did not realize it was coming out on DVD until after it had already sold out, necessitating a purchase from a re-seller. The content of the discs is brilliant - the restoration is excellent, the wide-screen picture is awesome, the sound is incredible (note - if you want the 5.1 surround sound you have to select it from the set-up menu - default sound is mono) and the extra features are interesting. The acting is terrific - Patrick McGoohan is excellent, as is the supporting cast (I especially liked the actors playing the sexton, Mipps, and the villian, General Pugh). I also like the fact it includes all the opening and closing credits from "The Wonderful World of Color" and Walt's introductions to the individual episodes (oddly, though, Walt says Dr. Syn/the Scarecrow was a real person, where he is clearly a fictional character). I don't think I saw it when it first came out in February of '64, as I was only 4 1/2 at the time, and don't think my parents would have let me watch it then, as even though it's Disney, they would have thought it too violent and scary for a very small child, so I must have seen a re-run a few years later. I didn't remember many details apart from what the Scarecrow looked like and the song ("Scarecrow, Scarecrow, the soldiers of the King feared his name . . ."). Even as an adult the story was absorbing - I liked the full, three part three hour version better than the shortened film. It inspired me to buy the Russell Thorndike (also spelled "Thorndyke") "Dr. Syn" series on my Kindle (6 of the 7 original books). The Dr. Syn Series They are old-fashioned "ripping yarns," although much different from the Disney version (warning - they are most certainly NOT politically correct). The Hammer Films version with Peter Cushing ("Captain Clegg" - "Night Creatures" in the U.S.) Hammer Horror Series (Brides of Dracula / Curse of the Werewolf / Phantom of the Opera (1962) / Paranoiac / Kiss of the Vampire / Nightmare / Night Creatures / Evil of Frankenstein) is fairly closely based on the first book (the first book written, but the last in the series, chronologically, as Dr. Syn is killed off at the end - the later books are "flashbacks" to Dr. Syn's earlier life & adventures), "Dr. Syn - a Smuggler's Tale of Romney Marsh" (although they called the main character "Dr. Bliss" due to legal difficulties with Disney, as the 2 films were made around the same time). The Disney film is based upon a later book by Thorndike and Buchanan called "Christopher Syn," which came out in 1960, is out of print and only available at very high prices indeed. (Shout out to Amazon - please get this one on Kindle, too, as well as the book missing from the Kindle set, "The Courageous Exploits of Dr. Syn.") The only negative is Disney releasing it as a "limited edition," which is good for the re-selling profiteers, but not very good for someone like me, who liked the program but does not follow things Disney very closely, and had no idea it was being released until after it was already gone.

This was definately my all-time favorite episode or mini-series from the Wonderful World of Disney. No other episode came close. I have always wanted my own home copy; but unfortunately, Disney has only released it to DVD once, and then, made far too few copies (39,500) to meet the demand. It was out of stores before I even knew it had been released.

You would think Disney would re-issue it with the current demand so high, especially when used copies are selling for more than $170! I don't understand Disney's inability to understand modern consumers. Their old policy of re-issuing children's classics on 7-year cycles is just obsolete in today's market. If they don't release movies in high demand, consumers will find alternate sources that deprive them of profits. Disney is just plain losing money by not re-issuing this classic with significant numbers of copies to satisfy the demand.

"Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" features all three original TV episodes of the Wonderful World of Disney miniseries. It is presented for the first time ever in widescreen format, with an all-new digital restoration 5.1 audio mix as well as the original restored mono track. Fans have waited a long time for this one on DVD, and it has been well worth the wait. As Leonard Maltin describes in the introduction, both the picture and the audio have undergone extensive restoration, going back to the original film and sound elements. Seriously, folks: the 5.1 sound mix will blow you away; sounds as if it was recorded yesterday...the hooves of the horses, the beautiful score...truly amazing. The DVD also includes the theatrical film version, released exclusively in England.

Based on the popular series of three novels created by Russell Thorndike, "Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" tells the story of a mild-mannered parson by day who becomes the Scarecrow, an anonymous champion of the oppressed by night. Kind of a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde meets Robin Hood. He robs the greedy King of England and gives the money to the overtaxed citizens of his parish. Patrick McGoohan is fantastic in the lead role; mild in the role of the parson, and chilling (especially the voice) as The Scarecrow. Filmed in England, the cinematography is lush and vibrant.

Bonus features include:

* Dr. Syn: The History of the Legend - A look at the evolution of the legend of Dr. Syn from his literary origins to the Walt Disney film version. Includes interviews with Patrick McGoohan.

* Walt Disney: From Burbank To London - A featurette about the first satellite studio established by Walt Disney in the 1950s in England as a way to spend monies that had been "frozen" overseas.

* Walt Disney TV Introductions in Widescreen. Always thinking forward, Walt had these introductions shot in widescreen, even though TVs of the 60s would cut off both sides of the picture.

This set also includes a Certificate of Authenticity (set limited to 39,500 copies) as well as a postcard size publicity photo of Dr. Syn (Patrick McGoohan).

Long awaited and eagerly anticipated release of Disney's excellent three part series about a parson in England who is a smuggler by night to help the down trodden of his parish. Good acting, production values and theme song. Perhaps slightly edgier than standard Disney fare. My order is going in today. Never saw the movie that was put together from the series so will be looking forward to that as well. Highly recommended. Update 2011 - not disappointed upon viewing. Intelligent three part series. Disney should have made more!

I recall this Disney production and even have fond memories, as a boy, of high adventure on 'the southern coast of England'; but the cost of revisiting those fond memories is just too high. Perhaps a more reasonable price would prompt myself, and others, to take that trip back to more youthful times. High marks for the series but zero stars for over-the-top pricing.