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Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh | 
| Actors: Patrick Mcgoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $32.99
Buy New: $24.99
You Save: $8.00 (24%)
New (17) Used (4) from $23.54
Rating:  60 reviews
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Limited Edition, Restored, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 287 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.9 x 1.1
UPC: 786936769005
EAN: 0786936769005
ASIN: B001DPHDCE
Theatrical Release Date: 1964
Release Date: November 11, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Album Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
Finally, after 44 years, the Scarecrow....and WOW !!!!!!! November 22, 2008
Stratog (Vermont U.S.A.)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 !!!!
Finally! - it only took 10 years - November 21, 2008
Jim (Tallahassee, FL)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Disney's all-time greatest live action movie, period. November 19, 2008
Mike (San Jose, CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
Worth the Price, Worth the Wait November 18, 2008
Jake
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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."
A genuine pleasure ... November 17, 2008
Denise Stoltenberg (USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
For many, many years ... since the advent of the DVD generation of committing classic films and television series to disks for preservation as more than just a cherished memory ... I've been eagerly awaiting such a treatment for "Doctor Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh". In 1964, when I first saw it on Disney's The Wonderful World of Color anthology program, I was 12 years old and it struck me as both wonderful entertaining and really fine storytelling. The performances, led by Patrick McGoohan's stellar turn as Vicar Christopher Syn, are all excellent. Incredibly, in watching it again over the weekend, I find that the film has not been "dated" at all. I never got the feeling while playing it of wondering what on Earth I'd seen in it back then as I do sometimes when looking back at movies and series that were a staple of my childhood.
Anyway, bravo to Disney for digging into its treasure trove vaults, unearthing this masterpiece, and giving it the grand restoration it deserves for a whole new generation to discover and enjoy!
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