A great memento of Disney's epic, grand days of television
Of the three newest Walt Disney Treasures DVD packages, this is perhaps the lesser known, but it is by no means the least important. It's what used to be known as "rip-roaring" great adventure, produced on a rich, grand scale unheard-of during the period in which it first appeared.
"Dr. Syn," which was based on British novels and legends explained on a fascinating documentary also included on disc one, is a Robin Hood or Zorro of sorts. But the difference is that Dr. Syn is a highly respected minister who completely fools the pompous bad guys. Yet, in this three-part series, the villains are fleshed out and not caricatured. The dignity and seriousness of the drama holds up beautifully today without the slightest sense of cliché.
In this 2-disc set, you get all three WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR hours with introductions by Walt himself, plus the edited feature-length version released theatrically in Europe in the 60's and then in the U.S. in the 1970's. But the...
Ready to be petrified again
OK, so I'm a Limey from across the water. That said, I went wild when I saw that this is, at last, being released in a restored version. This movie 'changed my life' since it was the first film I ever saw at a cinema as the 'B' film with 'The Sword and the Stone' and frightened me so much (Pat MacGoohan's make-up and voice) that it was instilled in a six year old's memory as his first 'horror' movie! I have try to find this for about twenty years, reading that Disney were to release it and then not. I even bought a rather poor quality video of the movie which, at least gave me a taste of what I had seen so many years ago, but wished that the problems that seemed to stop it being released on DVD could be eradicated.
Now, it finally gets its release and I can't wait!
Does anyone know if there any extras on it? A Leonard Maltin introduction and history of the TV series/Movie would be great.
Joth (Scarecrow) Gambold UK
All Time Classic
This Disney classic was based on the novel "Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh" written by Russell Thorndike and premiered on the TV Show World of Disney in 1963. This three part series was later edited as a movie and released theatrically six years later. Both the original three part series as well as the theatrical movie are included here.
Essentially an updated Robin Hood style tale set in the 1700s it's a great family movie. While it is a bit dated now compared to other swashbuckling summer blockbusters (after all, it was made for TV originally) it offers a simple moral story and excellent acting, especially by Patrick McGoohan, who plays the title role.
I loved this show as a kid, and it's well worth revisiting, young and old.
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