Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh

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.

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.

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."

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!

I had just turned six when this started airing on Disney back in 1964. I remember being riveted to my seat and then waiting for the following weeks episode. The third week came and I sat glued to the television. Then half way through, my 17 year old brother came home and turned it to Ed Sullivan to watch the Beatles. For 44 years I never saw the last half hour of the Scarecrow until this week. After all these years, I sat riveted to my chair like I was still 6. The one memory that stuck all those years was how atmospheric and intense the movie was and after all these years it still is. Awesome Disney! Thank you. PS: I now forgive my brother.