The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Part 1

A magnificent look into a largely unknown period in which Dr. Syn disguises himself as the Scarecrow to promote his smuggling operations. It's interesting to note that The Scarecrow does not set out to become a hero. He terrifies his own men with a costume that does the Batman proud and a laugh that chills. He serves the towns really only to safeguard his operations. He almost by chance becomes a defender of the newly minted Americans simply because they share a common enemy--the Brits. Patrick McGoohan is eerie as the Scarecrow, and the clever scripting makes him an intelligent hero for whom you cheer. In short brilliant.

This is the kind of movie you hardly see anymore, full of adventure, action and intrigue without the "R" rating, mindless violence and profane language that so permeates modern movies. It would be wonderful if this could be re-released via DVD, hopefully that will be done in the not-too-distant future. Patrick McGoohan is incredible in this movie, you can see how young he is and what a great actor, before he became so well known. I used to have the comic book for this movie at one time and am still kicking myself for selling it. The story of the Scarecrow and his band of outlaw smugglers is an exciting tale, to say the least. Another contemporary movie from the same time frame (1964) that covers the story of the Scarecrow is "Night Creatures" which I believe is soon to be re-released in DVD format, that one starred Peter Cushing. The masks used to cover their identities and their wild rides in the countryside from both movies are incredible. A must see and a must buy!

I first saw this as SCARECROW OF ROMNEY MARSH on DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR (1963). The whole mystique of the character has remained with me all these years. McGoohan is subperb in portraying both the kindly vicar and the horrific Scarecrow.

The cool thing I recalled most about this movie was that McGoohan's Dr Syn, the vicar of Dymchurch, would sit between General Pugh (obsessed with the Scarecrow's capture) and the Squire (the local law) and listen contentedly to the plans.

I've seen this movie on ebay for 200 doallrs. Why Disney has not re-released this again on video is beyond me

Although certain background matters are changed, THE SCARECROW OF ROMNEY MARSH is the remake of DR. SYN which was the final film in George Arliss' career. The basic plot is the same: a smuggling gang is headed by the local Anglican minister, Dr. Christopher Syn, in the village of Romney Marsh (in the Arliss movie it was Dymchurch, and the minister was an ex-pirate). But more of the problems of the reign of King George III was brought into this film. The press gangs that grabbed men where they could be found for the King's navy (this was not dealt with in the Arliss film). The appearance of an escaped American Revolutionary reminds the viewers that there were many in England who shared sympathies with their American cousins. The would be betrayal of Dr. Syn by a local schoolmaster is the subject of one of the stories (and is handled - quite differently - in the 1937 film). I must also admit that the performance of Patrick Macgoohan was a distinct plus, for while I liked Arliss's Dr. Syn, Macgoohan brought more to the role by being a wide bit younger and vigorous. I only wish it were possible to get a good video or DVD of the work - maybe Disney will release it one day.

Unfortunately, this gem of a film is now difficult to obtain, although this reviewer did see an old copy in a video rental store in Sydney! Patrick Mcgoohan (what an actor!) is at his suave and moral best as this eighteenth century Robin Hood type character preventing men from being "press ganged" into the British navy. Underrated, and one of Disney's best films. I agree with another imdb review that the masks Mcgoohan wears are indeed scary. I remember being scared out of my wits when I saw this film as a child in Britain.