- Actors: George Arliss, Margaret Lockwood, John Loder, Roy Emerton, Graham Moffatt
- Directors: Roy William Neill
- Writers: Michael Hogan, Roger Burford, Russell Thorndike
- Producers: Edward Black, Michael Balcon
- Classification: U
- Studio: Carlton
- VHS Release Date: 26 Jan 2000
- Run Time: 78 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CQBK
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 6,928 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
When the customs and excise men of King George III are dispatched to Dymchurch in Kent to investigate the local smuggling, they uncover an intricate network coordinated by the local vicar, Dr Syn. As the plot thickens, Dr Syns secret pirating past is also uncovered. This is George Arliss' final movie, and whilst not quite his best (how could he ever top Disraeli?) it still remains a highly enjoyable yarn with more plot crammed into 80 minutes than most films these days twice its length. Arliss is supported admirably by a variety of colourful characters including a very young Margaret Lockwood, as Imogene, a local girl who unknowingly holds the key to Dr Syns true past identity. This movie is a little un-PC in places however is nonetheless definitely worth catching. It was also remade later with Patrick McGoohan and Peter Cushing in the lead roles. Whilst this version is probably truest to Thorndikes original novel, the best Dr Syn film still remains a matter of taste. Having not seen the Cushing version yet though, my moneys on this one.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's nice to see this film make the transfer from vhs to dvd. The b&w print quality is grainy and could probably have benefited from some restoration, but it's watchable.
Quite different in contrast from the later technicolour Walt Disney version, this inferior but not unlikeable adaption features George Arliss (in one of his last roles) playing a much older, wiley & clever parson than the dashing, masked "Robin Hood" outlaw portrayed by Patrick McGoohan.
More of a romantic adventure & morality play, the film is slow paced, somewhat un-pc at times, and aimed squarely for adults. It seems fairly faithful to the book.
More obtainable than the rare & ultra expensive Disney version, it's worth giving this film a go especially as you get to see Arliss in another complex role.
You may also like to watch "Night Creatures" aka Captain Clegg starring Peter Cushing. Yet another version of the Thorndike character, this time made by Hammer around the same time as Disney (who acquired the rights before them) Hence, they were forced to change certain things such as the main character's name. Dr Syn became Dr Blyss, formerly the pirate Clegg. The Scarecrow identity this time was covered by one of his henchman, played by Oliver Reed.
It's a fun adaption and quite creepy as only Hammer can be. A worthy second to the Disney version, I suggest watching them in thus order :
Dr Syn aka The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh - Night Creatures aka Captain Clegg - Dr Syn (Arliss)
Quite different in contrast from the later technicolour Walt Disney version, this inferior but not unlikeable adaption features George Arliss (in one of his last roles) playing a much older, wiley & clever parson than the dashing, masked "Robin Hood" outlaw portrayed by Patrick McGoohan.
More of a romantic adventure & morality play, the film is slow paced, somewhat un-pc at times, and aimed squarely for adults. It seems fairly faithful to the book.
More obtainable than the rare & ultra expensive Disney version, it's worth giving this film a go especially as you get to see Arliss in another complex role.
You may also like to watch "Night Creatures" aka Captain Clegg starring Peter Cushing. Yet another version of the Thorndike character, this time made by Hammer around the same time as Disney (who acquired the rights before them) Hence, they were forced to change certain things such as the main character's name. Dr Syn became Dr Blyss, formerly the pirate Clegg. The Scarecrow identity this time was covered by one of his henchman, played by Oliver Reed.
It's a fun adaption and quite creepy as only Hammer can be. A worthy second to the Disney version, I suggest watching them in thus order :
Dr Syn aka The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh - Night Creatures aka Captain Clegg - Dr Syn (Arliss)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A great old film, really enjoyable to see this again.
Some wonderful acting of the time and a very enjoyable romp over the marshes.
A very good example of that period of film making
Some wonderful acting of the time and a very enjoyable romp over the marshes.
A very good example of that period of film making
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great film, but needs a better DVD transfer
This is a classic British film from 1937. George Arliss is superb as always.
However, there are a few problems:
1. Read more
However, there are a few problems:
1. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Scott H. Ochiltree
The good Doctor Syn [A boys own adventure]
I had been listening to the serial of Dr Syn on radio 7 read by Rufus Sewell, It seemed to me that these stories contained all the elements of the boys own adventures that i grew... Read more
Published 13 months ago by P. Ridley-thomas
Dr Syn
Good story in keeping with the books which makes a nice change. Poor quality copy though and even worse watching on a bigger screen!
Published 20 months ago by Kevbloke
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