The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Part 1 (9 Feb. 1964)
"Disneyland" The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Part 1 (original title)

Dr. Syn, a country priest leads a rebel band against the King's naval press gangs. Press gangs (impressment) roam the country side beating young men into submission or unconsciousness, ... See full summary »

Director:

James Neilson

Writers:

Russell Thorndike (novel), Robert Westerby (teleplay),

Stars:

Patrick McGoohan, George Cole, Tony Britton

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick McGoohan	...	Dr. Christopher Syn / The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
George Cole	...	Mr. Mipps / Hellspite
Tony Britton	...	Simon Bates
Michael Hordern	...	Squire Thomas Banks
Geoffrey Keen	...	General Pugh
Kay Walsh	...	Mrs. Waggett
Eric Pohlmann	...	King George III
Patrick Wymark	...	Joseph Ransley
Alan Dobie	...	Mr. Frank Fragg - Prosecutor
Sean Scully	...	John Banks / The Curlew
Eric Flynn	...	Lt. Philip Brackenbury
David Buck	...	Harry Banks
Percy Herbert	...	Dover Castle Jailer
Robert Brown	...	Sam Farley
Jill Curzon	...	Katharine Banks

Storyline

Dr. Syn, a country priest leads a rebel band against the King's naval press gangs. Press gangs (impressment) roam the country side beating young men into submission or unconsciousness, usually at local inns and pubs, in order to enslave them in the Royal British Navy. Dr. Syn conceals his secret identity behind a sackcloth mask, and carries on activities ala Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro from his parish base.

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Plot Keywords:

scarecrow | press gang | secret identity | 18th century | mask | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | Family | Western

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1964 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Disney funded the rebuilding of Old Romney Church, which doubled for Dymchurch.

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Connections

Referenced in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

User Reviews

Among the late, great Disney TV films

"The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" is among the last of the classic films that Disney Studios produced in the 1960s before its releases started their long slide downward into the 1980s. This was made for TV but was even better than some contemporary theatrical releases from Disney. It is tense, well-written and well-performed. It also excels as a period piece; the costumes and sets really take the viewer back to the southern English coast in the late 18th century. It also reminds us that Patrick McGoohan didn't hesitate to work for Disney at this time (in "Thomasina," too) in his usual sauve and understated but also intense way. If you ever find yourself shut in on a cold, rainy night this winter, no problem. Get the kids together, order some pizza and pop this gem into the VCR. You'll be pleased.