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Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh | 
 enlarge | Actors: Patrick Mcgoohan, George Cole, Kay Cole, Alan Dobie, Eric Flynn
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
Buy New: $56.89
New (52) Collectible (4) from $56.89
Rating:  89 reviews
Sales Rank: 1587
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Limited Edition, Restored, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 287
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.9 x 1.1
MPN: D57822D
UPC: 786936769005
EAN: 0786936769005
ASIN: B001DPHDCE
Theatrical Release Date: 1964
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 11/11/2008
Amazon.com
"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 1964 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 compassionate 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 84 more reviews...
 Booooo to Disney for limited release! January 8, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've been waiting for this release for a long time, but didn't order until December 12. Amazon took my order, but it was supposed to be shipped from Big Rock Media. I waited until January 5, but no DVD. Only then did I learn that the release was sold out. E-mail to Big Rock went unanswered. Naturally, I canceled, but Big Rock ignored all e-mails after that for information on when it would be available. So I bought one on Ebay for more than I would have had to pay. From now on, that's where I'll check first, rather than Amazon. If they choose to do business with a shoddy company like Big Rock, who won't follow up on customer e-mail, I'll do my business elsewhere.
The three stars are for the movie. I took off one star for poor (actually, NO) service. I get better customer service from my cell phone company, and everybody knows how bad that is. I took off another star for the very limited number of copies produced by Disney, who had to have known that a LOT of people wanted this film.
fantastic..but.. January 8, 2009
like most other reviewers, i loved this as a kid. i got it as a christmas present and have watched it every night since! (9 days as of this posting). my only question is- in the 3rd installment, it repeats the scene when simon bates taps on the vicars window- this scene is also in the first installment. i don't remember this repeated scene as a kid- what do you other fans have to say about it? other than this, i am completely mesmerized by the dvd and it's made me completely giddy!
confused, disappointed, but hoping DVD arrives January 6, 2009
I signed up on Amazon YEARS ago to be notified if this title came out in any form, and at one point was almost able to order a VHS copy, but it never materialised. Never received any notice of the DVD release, so I can't understand the one reviewer who is so grateful to Amazon for receiving a copy (and for only $30). I'm buying a copy (I hope) from one of the 3d party sellers, hope it arrives and is as described since I'm paying way more than $30! There is very little information available on these 3d party entities, so I'm more than a little leery of buying this way but have wanted this title ever since I first saw it the first time on TV as a child. The only format I've ever been able to buy was the Beta release Disney did sometime in the late 80's, which I can still play because I still have my Betamax (yeah really, there are still some of those out there and functioning; Sony makes good stuff). I can't wait to get the DVD, it sounds wonderful, but Amazon, if you offer a notice service, please follow through! I just checked lately out of curiosity, found all these reviews and checked out the few offers available.
Dr. Syn January 5, 2009
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have all the earlier Treasures and just didn't get them pre-ordered this year. Oh, my chagrin when it was out of stock. As a Disneyland Premium Annual Passholder I had to go to the source to find my copy, but they did had them in the park. The certificate notes that they only made 35,000 copies.
Not to be missed! Walt at his best! January 2, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What a fantastic film! It has stuck in my mind since I was a nine year old kid, and though I had to pay twice what it cost, the dvd was worth every penny. The only thing that infuriates me is that the Disney corp only released about 40,000 of the dvd's. It deserves a far wider release. Why? Simple.
1. It's scary. Watching it, I shivered again just like I did when I was a boy when the Scarecrow appeared--better than any horror movie.
2. It's noble. Robin Hood like, Dr. Syn takes from the evil English and gives to the good guys.
3. The story of the Scarlet Pimpernel can be told many ways. This is one of them and one of the best.
4. The movie is beautiful. Lush photography, most of it on location.
5. The acting is spectacular. The whole cast is very special and Patrick McGoohan gives a tour de force performance.
6. Story, story, story. No matter how good the special effects, no matter how good the director or actors, you have to have good material. Walt Disney knew a good story when he saw it. Face it-- Dr. Syn was very obscure material--Disney hunted and came up with a great trophy.
If you have never seen this--find a copy. They simply do not make films like this any more.
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