Search - Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures) on DVD


Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Walt Disney Treasures)
Dr Syn The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
Walt Disney Treasures
Actors: Patrick McGoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
Genres: Action & Adventure, Drama, Kids & Family, Television
NR     2008     4hr 47min

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...  more »

     

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Movie Details

Actors: Patrick McGoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
Creators: Paul Beeson, Gerard Schurmann
Genres: Action & Adventure, Drama, Kids & Family, Television
Sub-Genres: Swashbucklers, Family Life, Adventure, Classics, Television
Studio: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
Format: DVD - Color
DVD Release Date: 11/11/2008
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1964
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 4hr 47min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 44
Edition: Limited Edition
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

DISNEY...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!
YLD | anderson in | 12/14/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)

"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."
All Time Classic
Glenn Geiss | 08/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
A great memento of Disney's epic, grand days of television
Gregory Ehrbar | Orlando, FL | 11/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.
"
Ready to be petrified again
J. Gambold | Wiltshire, UK | 09/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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"