|
|
 |
Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
 |
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
Find all by Walt Disney Video
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Theatrical Release: December 2, 1964
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
|
|
Starring: Patrick McGoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
Originally airing in three parts on "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," this thrilling adventure stars Patrick McGoohan as Dr. Syn, a kindly country vicar in 18th-century England. Only a few know that Syn is also the masked Scarecrow, notorious leader of a band of smugglers, who defends the villagers from unjust taxes and oppression by King George III's men. George Cole, Michael Hordern, Sean Scully also star. Includes all three episodes, along with the British theatrical version; 129 min./98 min. AKA: "Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow," "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh." Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono.
User Submitted Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh Reviews
December 1, 2008
Still available....
This DVD is still available at Disney online. Just ordered mine yesterday and it was shipped today!
November 26, 2008
Time Travel IS possible
Suddenly, thanks to this fabulous Disney release, I'm a boy again back in the early 60s. It looks, sounds, and IS great. Thanks Disney! Thanks!
November 26, 2008
Boo Who the Manufacturer!
Thirteen days after the long awaited release of this DVD the manufacturer pulled the plug on its supply. The note on the description says, "his item has been discontinued by the manufacturer!" Talk about a real "Limited Series!" Anyone who was alive to see the original airing of the Micky Mouse Club will pass on that one in favor of the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. I hope Patrick McGoohan got a copy for himself. No after Thanksgiving holiday gift giving of this DVD. If you did not purchase it in the first 13 days, then you may be out of luck.
This DVD is going to end up like the DVD version of Peter Pan with Mary Martin, Cyril Ritchard, Maureen Bailey, and Margaio Gillmore which at times has sold for 300 plus dollars new and used. A lot of these so-called new DVDs are actually DVD-R. I think pulling Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh is just going to promote bootleg DVD-R copies being sold in the internet. Another sad case of the manufacturer who could care less than the real fans of the movie and the Disney series.
I have not seen a DVD release and short run on the market like this one. I am wondering if they sold enough to make production value, or was it basically done as a right-off, and a public service. It it was done as a public service, then I would think they would have produced enough to have it being sold for sometime so new people learn about the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.
I guess this means there may be hope for a two week release of FOOL'S PARADE, FLIM-FLAM MAN, and LEADBELLY movie DVDs.
November 25, 2008
It Was One Of The Most Visceral Experiences I've Ever Had!
On 11/10/2008, I was chatting with my friend about all the cool things we watched when we were kids. When Disney Sunday's came up, the first thing I blurted was "Wow...the Scarecrow was GREAT!" My friend could not recall seeing it. "Oh...it had that British actor in it. He was AWESOME! He was also in 'The Prisoner' and 'Silver Streak'!" But I could not recall his name. So when I got home, I googled and discovered it was Patrick McGoohan. I went a bit further in my search and discovered Amazon's reviews of the VHS of 'The Scarecrow' that was released years ago. I eagerly read through the reviews to see if people of this time period liked the show as much as I did back in 1964. And to my relief, they did. I read one after the other until finally there was only one review left. It simply said "Thank God they're releasing the DVD on 11/11/2008!" OMG!!!! "That's tomorrow," I thought with glee! And sure enough, the next morning...there it was for sale on Disney.com! I immediately bought it. It came later in the week. I busted it open and popped in Disk One. From that moment until it ended some few hours later was one of the most visceral experiences of my life. Man...I mean I experienced some of the deepest, emotional, childhood memory trips of my life. It was all as I remember! The great story...the great acting...the great theme song...it was really like Tinkerbell had hit me over the head with her magic wand. Today, I found out that it has sold out of the 35,000 copies made. I see here on Amazon there might be a few left at the original pricing...but already there are some for sale for over $100. I go back now to the start of my review...discussing Disney on 11/10/2008...and then being able to buy something this awesome from my childhood...the very next day. I feel sorry for those who won't get to see it yet for awhile. But I think now that the Disney corporation has seen what a following this short little 3-part mini-series had that it won't be too long before they release it again on Blu-ray. And oh yes...I'll be buying it, too!
November 25, 2008
Lives up to the hype
At least from all the glowing reviews on here, which is why I decided to give it a try. Its not often anything on amazon has so many excellent reviews so this one caught my attention. I have no memories of watching it, as I was not even born when it aired, but I remember watching Disney on Sunday nights and it was always special.
To begin, this show has a collection of excellent actors, beginning with Patrick McGoohan as Dr. Syn/Scarecrow, a dual performance he pulls off magnificently. He commands the screen either as the quiet and calm Vicar or the intimidating and spooky Scarecrow. The rest of the cast is outstanding as well and is a reminder that a show doesnt need a huge budget and effects to be immensely entertaining.
From the opening scenes in episode 1, when Scarecrow, Hellspite and Curlew deflect the King's men from a smuggling operation to the ending, when they aid in freeing prisoners for a trip to 'soon to be free' America, there is not a dull moment to be found. I loved every moment, either in the tv episodes or in the edited movie form. They are both well worth the money.
I buy dvd's fairly often and especially new releases, but this is one of the most entertaining dvd's Ive bought. If you love quality acting, excellent storytelling and great adventure, get this while you can. Forget that it was made for tv in 1964. This is timeless entertainment.
November 24, 2008
Excellent Adventure
Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
I have been waiting years to own this excellent historical adventure and I was not disappointed. I remember watching "Dr. Syn, the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" when it first aired on the Wonderful World of Color and couldn't wait for the next episode. This was Patrick McGoohan at his best and I immediately fell in love with the cool, intelligent, handsome vicar. It's amazing how much of it I remembered after all these years so it definitely made a lasting impression on a 12-year-old. I'm so glad it has now been released so others can enjoy this timeless treasure. It was well worth the wait! Thank you, Walt Disney productions and Amazon!
November 22, 2008
Finally, after 44 years, the Scarecrow....and WOW !!!!!!!
After years of dreaming that Disney might bring this title to DVD, FINALLY it is here and oh man was it worth the wait. All three episodes have been digitally restored in high definition from the original negative and soundtrack. The episodes were originally filmed in movie aspect ratio and are now presented as they were originally filmed. The result is that you can now see and hear things that you never could before. The images and sounds will leap out of your screen/home theatre. And to top it off, the original introductions by Uncle Walt are included which I have not seen since I saw these episodes originally on the "Wonderful World of Color" in 1964. It is clear the people who produced this DVD made it a labor of love. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that I would have liked to have seen more interviews with some of the original cast and production personnel (though even the short pieces with Patrick McGoohan were enough to bring tears to my eyes.)
From all of us who have loved this story since we were small, thanks to Disney for doing it the justice it deserved. If you have not bought it yet, don't miss it !!!!
November 21, 2008
Finally! - it only took 10 years -
I have been working with a group on the web for 10 years constantly barraging Disney to please put this out in DVD format. Not sure why it took so long but I am thankful that it is finally here. I am not sure what drew me to this series when I saw it at age 8, but I clearly remember not being able to sleep the night before because I knew the next episode was coming the following day. My biggest problem is keeping in mind that this is happening in Southern England, for some reason I want to think this is right here in colonial USA. I really identified with young John when I saw it the first time, I recognized the actor from the Prince and the Pauper which in my opinion is another great film and that certainly added to my enjoyment. I was not aware that an economic disaster was responsible for all of my good fortune but I guess we need to be thankful that there was a silver lining there for both GB and Disney as well as the millions of fans that have seen these great films since then. Perhaps we will see something similar come out of the current economic crisis - you never know. As an eternal pessimist (I define a pessimist as an INFORMED optimist) I do not usually look on the bright side, but right now I need something to hold on to so I will hope that we will see something positive come out of this, in fact I think perhaps we already have, the USA has shown the world that we are still a land where a man who had very little could pull himself up and become president of the US. I would not have thought it possible 4 years ago.
November 19, 2008
Disney's all-time greatest live action movie, period.
This was well worth the wait. The picture is clear, crisp, and vivid. This 2-DVD set delivers the 3-part "Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" (I sat glued to the TV and thrilled to every minute of it as a kid) and the feature-length movie version that later surfaced on cable and elsewhere.
As Leonard Maltin mentions in his commentary, the "movie" version was so skillfully edited that you won't notice what's missing until you watch the 3-parter and take careful notes.
The justly-acclaimed actor Patrick McGoohan shines here. How many actors have pulled off THREE indelibly-stamped characters (The Scarecrow plus The Prisoner - Complete Series Megaset (40th Anniversary Edition) and Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) - The Complete Collection Megaset 2007)? He plays the Vicar / Scarecrow as an emotionally balanced character with a clearly defined sense of right and wrong. The "Joseph Ransley" betrayal arc is handled beautifully. As The Scarecrow, McGoohan can be cackling like a demon possessed, but within a split second of removing his mask he is once again cool, calm, and collected.
This film was a true rarity in the Disney universe. As a kid, I loved it. I thought McGoohan and his cohorts were terrifying. I eagerly awaited each weekly segment. As an adult, I can appreciate the beautiful cinematography, the tight script, the flawless acting.
For you trivia buffs, British horror experts Hammer Studios crafted their own version of the Dr. Syn saga, "Night Creatures," which can be found on 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).
This is without a doubt the easiest and most sincere 5-star rating I've ever given to a film. Buy it...for yourself, your kids, and their kids.
November 18, 2008
Worth the Price, Worth the Wait
I remember the thrill and chills from watching it as a 6 year old! I have waited all these years to watch this and hear the theme song. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! Disney did it right. The picture, the sound, and the show was everything I remembered and then some. I am a 50 year old man who for a few hours was that young boy who was mesmerized by the "The Scarecrow."
|
|
