Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney
Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures)
starring Patrick McGoohan, George
Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric
Flynn
Dr. Syn Review
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 1 964 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 compassio nate 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
Personal Review: Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
(Walt Disney Treasures) starring Patrick McGoohan, George
Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
It's been a long wait. The picture and sound are great. Thoroughly enjoyed
this. Yes, I am one of those who sat with my family and watched this on
the Wonderful World of Disney. What a thrill it was back then and even
today. Love the theme song. I've read the books by Russell Thorndike
about Dr. Syn. I would love to see what they could do today with this
character. Now if Disney would release Song of the South and stop
sweatin over it. I mean Gone with the Wind is out there?? Anyway, Thanks
to the people at Disney for doing a great job and releasing the Scarecrow
to roam free again!!
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