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.

I remember seeing this as a 12 year old on The Wonderful World of Disney, I'm now 58 and I just watched it again on YouTube. I was blown away, absolutely fantastic, the best thing I've seen in many a year, do yourself a favour and watch this.

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.

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

This is a really rousing film, full of good deeds and chases, disguises and daring escapes. It's set in the late 1770's, since reference is made to the American fight for freedom from the British, and filmed in England.

Patrick McGoohan, one of my favorite actors, plays Dr. Syn, mild-mannered minister by day and rakish do-gooder by night, called the Scarecrow by the local people. George Cole plays Mipps, his assistant in both guises. The Scarecrow intercepts British government supplies and distributes them to the poor in the district, so he is greatly loved by the locals, and greatly sought by the government. The first half is taken up with the acts of a weak man who takes money from the army commander to turn in the Scarecrow. The Scarecrow finds out about this from a loyal local, and sets up a trap for the commander and the traitor. He wins the day, of course. The Scarecrow inventively and effectively deals with traitors in his network of thieves in his own fashion, but he's got a heart of gold underneath his rags; no one dies in this film. The Scarecrow and his right-hand men wear full head masks and disguises so that they are not recognized. These masks are pretty scary, and lend a lot to the flavor of the movie.

The Scarecrow also helps a local Lord's son; the man was shanghaied into the navy, escaped after 2 years of terrible slavery, made his way back to his family, but is discovered and thrown into jail. The Scarecrow springs the man by dressing up as a press gang leader, and marchs the son, as well as another man who was wrongfully accused, out of jail right under the commander's nose. He's helped in this by the lieutenant of the local guards, whose in love with the jailed man's sister. Michael Hordern plays the Lord; he's always wonderful.

I can't recommend this movie enough. Patrick McGoohan is perfect in the role, and I think it's one of his best. It's hard to find; Disney hasn't shown it for years. But they've started to bring a lot of their older things from the TV show out on video, and I sincerely hope this will be one of them. It's a great Saturday night movie, but younger kids might be scared by those masks.