Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow (1963) - full transcript

"The naval press-gang is on its way,
under orders from the Garrison at Dover,

"to take every man they can lay hands upon.

"Hide, if you love your wives...

"Your freedom."

The world is a carousel of color

Color, color, color

Wonderful, wonderful color
- Color, color

Walt Disney presents...

A wonderful world of color

From Walt Disney's
wonderful world of color,

we bring you the story of
the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.



And now your host, Walt Disney.

Books of adventure, suspense and mystery

always have a special appeal for me
when they're about real people,

or based on the life of a real person.

Like these books by the English author,
Russell thorndike.

The hero of all the thorndike stories

is one of the strangest characters
who ever lived.

A real-life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

He lived in England nearly 200 years ago.

By day, he was a respected member
of his community,

and by night, he was the greatest
smuggler in the whole country.

But, like Robin Hood,

although he was a thorn
in the side of law and order,

he was a hero to the ordinary folk
of his time.



Because, whatever he made as a smuggler,
he gave away to the poor and the needy.

This is where he operated,
all along this coast here.

Better known to us today
as the white cliffs of Dover.

He was smuggling in cargoes from France,
Belgium and Holland.

And in this part of England, even today,

they still talk about
the Scarecrow's smuggling gang.

Now, his nickname came
from the disguise he wore.

And only two of all the men he led
knew who he really was.

They wore disguises, too.

Something like this.

This is called hellspite
and this one, curlew.

Now, there have been verses and songs
written about this Scarecrow leader,

like the one we have for you now,
which sets the stage for our first story.

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow...

on the southern coast of England

there's a legend people tell
of days long ago

when the great Scarecrow
would ride from the jaws of hell

and laugh -

With a fiendish yell

with his clothes all torn and tattered
through the black of night he'd ride

from the marsh to the coast
like a demon ghost

he'd show his face then hide and he'd laugh

Till he split his side

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow!

He would always help the farmer
when there was no gold to bring

he'd find a way for the poor to pay
the taxes of the king

Scarecrow!

Every man would sing

so the king told all his soldiers
hang him high or hang him low

but never return till the day I learn
he's gone in flames below

or you'll hang

with the great Scarecrow

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow! Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Load up and away, lads.
We'll tweak king George's nose.

Hurry, hurry, or I'll lose the tide.

Come on.

- He gives me the shudders.
- Do what he says.

Keep your eyes stretched,
or the revenue men will stretch our necks.

Nothing from the castle, Scarecrow.
All clear.

That's the whole cargo, monsieur Scarecrow.

Your payment, captain.

Horsemen on the sea road, Scarecrow!
Excise men!

Douse the lights and go.
You all know your orders.

Hellspite, curlew, follow me.

It's him, the Scarecrow.

After him.

There's nobody hiding in here, sir.

We headed them this way.
They must be around somewhere.

They've vanished.
What are they, ghosts?

Oh, no, they were real enough, sir.
But where the devil are they?

Search the place again.

All right, men.

We'll give it up.

There's nobody here.

They're gone.

They're miles away
from where our lads should be by now.

Light the lantern.

It's the reward for your capture
they're after, sir.

- Not the contraband we landed.
- Mmm.

John, give us five-minute start.

If you don't hear any shooting,
then you too can go on your way.

- When's our next run?
- Thursday night.

- The orders will go out tonight.
- How?

By my lord bishop's coach.

His poor lordship,
how he'd hate it if only he knew.

Five minutes, John, remember.

- Good night, master John.
- Good night, sir.

- My lord.
- Hmm?

I can't understand why you'd allow
riffraff like this in your coach.

Christian charity
knows no social barriers, my dear general.

The man seemed ill and tired,
and asked my help.

General pugh's right though, my lord.
You take chances.

And the marsh abounds
with the gentlemen at nights.

Gentlemen?

Well, that's what they call
the smugglers in these parts, sir.

Pack of scoundrels.
I'd give them gentlemen.

Eh?

I have my briefing here from the war office

and customs and excise.

We have plans to smash these gentlemen,
my lord.

Well, the whole countryside protects them,
general.

Their friends are everywhere.
I don't envy you your task.

No, I relish it.

The law enforcement's been too slack
down here.

You'll see a change, I promise you.

Douse the lanterns. Take the cart out.
And hurry yourselves!

Rest of you, into the house.

Scarecrow's orders.

Thursday's our next run, lads.

Fifteen pack ponies and...

Twenty men.

- No firearms to be carried.
- Oh, I don't hold with that.

The excise men will be armed.
Why shouldn't we be?

Because if they kill one of us,
that ain't murder under the law.

But if you kill one of them, you hang.

Now, Scarecrow's right.
Only he goes armed.

Except when there's something special on.

Yeah, well, he doesn't trust us,
that's all.

- Who says?
- Well, who's ever even spoken to him?

If he trusted us, he'd tell us who he is!

With that price on his head?

So you can whisper his name in the inn,
and some other loudmouth

can spread the word
and put a rope around his neck?

Aye! He shares the Booty
with us equal, don't he? Bless him.

We were poor as mice till he came.
You, too, Ben Davis.

Right!

The first time in your life that your farm
ain't behind with the taxes.

And that's his doing!

All right, all right.
I'm his man, like you, aren't I?

It's just that I...

All right, come along.
Good night, mother Hathaway.

Good night!

- Halt there in the king's name!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

- What's this? Why are we stopping?
- What?

We're looking for a... sir!

General, sir!

- Well, what are you looking for, sergeant?
- An escaped prisoner, sir!

Convicted for preaching treason.

Was to be hanged at Dover in the morning,
but he...

- He got away, sir.
- Treason?

Yeah, an American from the colonies,
my lord.

You, there!

There he is! After him!

You three, over there.
Search these bushes.

Go on, giddy up!

No sign of him, corporal.

But he can't be far away!
Try over there!

Come on, giddy up!

Two of you, take the stream!

Up, up, up! Come on!

Mr. Brackenbury!

- No sign of him, Mr. Brackenbury?
- No, sir.

The impertinent rogue.
Sergeant, continue the search.

Sir. Fonnard!

Help me, I'm hurt.

Oh, help me.

Who's after you, lad? The excise men?

No, soldiers. Soldiers out there.

They're always harrying decent people.

Lad, you're bleeding.

You must go to one...

I think can help you.

The vicar of Dymchurch, Dr. Syn.

Syn?

That's a strange name for a vicar, mother.

He has a heart of gold, has Dr. Syn.

- As mild and gentle as a dove, lad.
- He won't hand me over to the law?

Not if you ask him for sanctuary, he won't.

Not Dr. Syn. Say I sent you.

I'll tell you the way to go
to avoid the road.

Here you are, vicar.

Sixty eight kegs of Brandy...

And 19 bales...

Of silk.

Captain delacroix. On Thursday,
it's the dutchman's turn to deliver.

Oh, we are doing well, sexton.

Why do you go on
taking these chances, vicar?

You're not getting rich on it.

And since they don't know,
the parish don't thank you.

Well, they can live and clothe themselves
and their children,

and pay the taxes in a countryside

bled white by the king's parliament,
which represents them,

and which buys and sells votes
as if they were dealing in cattle.

Now, you can't change
the way of the world, vicar.

No?

Unjust laws can be altered,
as well as made by men.

There's a new spirit in the world, mipps.

Taxed out of existence,

robbed of their independence
by the king's government,

the people must fight back how they can.

- Well, men can't beat armies, sir.
- Ideas can.

Faith can move mountains.

What we're doing here is just a pinprick,
but 1,000 pinpricks put together will...

Who's that?

- Who are you, stranger?
- Gently, mipps.

Dr. Syn?

Mother Hathaway sent me, sir.
There are troops out searching for me.

Why? What have you done?

- You're American, are you not?
- Yes, sir.

I've been branded a traitor...

And sentenced to death
for preaching sedition.

You should know this
because I ask for sanctuary.

Sedition?

That's what king George calls our wish
for freedom and independence, yes.

- I can't deny you sanctuary, mister...
- Bates. Simon bates, sir.

Mr. Bates.

But it would not be safe for either of us
to hide you here.

- You'll give me up?
- No.

Mipps, take him to Mrs. Waggett's inn.

My sexton will know what to say to her.
She'll hide you till the coast is clear.

You say nothing.

Then take this.

- I stole it in my escape.
- Stole it? Why?

I thought to get it to someone hereabouts.

A man I heard about in prison.
I think they call him the Scarecrow?

It concerns him.

I was going to trade it to him
in the hope that he'd help me in return.

For all I hear,
I don't think you'll find him.

Many have tried and failed, Mr. Bates.

Aye, he's like the devil himself, they say.

Riding the marshes like a ghost.

He comes and goes, they say,
nobody knows where...

I'll deal with this if I can.
But you must go and quickly.

- Thank you, sir. And god bless you.
- Quickly.

"General pugh...

"Dispatch of troops,
subjugate the whole marsh area.

"Whatever means necessary."

Well, well, well.

I'm giving you fair warning, sir Thomas.

And if you're justice of the peace
in these parts,

you'll want to see justice carried out,
mine or any other.

And it hasn't been up till now,
has it, eh? Hmm?

Are you telling me my duty, sir?

I'm a blunt man.
I say what's in me mind.

You're the law here
and the law is being flouted,

revolutionaries and smugglers
walking the roads.

Wasn't I robbed last night,
not ten miles from here, in your district?

In your parish, parson?

Very well, then,
you wait and see myjustice.

I don't care for your manner, sir.

There is a definition of a gentleman
that says,

"he's one who never wittingly
gives offense."

And what do you think of that, sir?

And my definition of a good soldier, sir...

Not having had my commission
bought for me by a gentlemanly father,

but having made me own way in the army...

Is one who achieves his aim
and gets results.

And the end justifies the means.

- Father.
- General.

And what means do you intend to use, sir?

My son, John, general.

And know that everybody has a price,
young man.

And for the price of freedom
from the harrying of my troops,

someone will come fonnard in the end

and inform against this smuggling fellow,

this Scarecrow, as he calls himself.

And I'll not only be using troops, either.

What then, general?
I must warn you, I'm afraid,

that the men of this parish are sturdy,
independent folk.

- They do not frighten easily.
- And their women?

Women, sir?

Women? You will frighten women?

I'll do whatever I think fit
to achieve my purpose here.

I think the women will talk
when they start to lose their menfolk.

The Navy needs sailors.

And I've asked for the press-gangs,
whose job it is to get them,

to come and help themselves here
in the king's name,

- and none too gently.
- General pugh!

- Father, no!
- Now, keep out of this, Kate.

Press-gangs?

Don't dare mention those blaggards
in this house.

In fact, sir, I've had all your talk
I can stomach.

Good day to you.

Sir Thomas!

Well, what have I said wrong?

My brother was press-ganged
into the Navy, sir.

Clubbed insensible and dragged away
to sea on his 18th birthday.

- Four years ago.
- And no word from him, since.

Now, can you understand
my father's feelings?

I can, miss banks, believe me.

The Navy needs men and must get them
how it can, Mr. Brackenbury.

Do you deny that?

- No, sir.
- Then hold your tongue.

Thank you for your hospitality.
If I upset your father, I'm sorry for it.

But I'm under orders,
and orders are written to be obeyed.

Madam, Dr. Syn, master banks, good day.

Your men of the marshes
have asked for rough treatment,

and that's what they're gonna get.

The naval press-gangs are on their way.

Good farming country, eh?

And on a Wednesday,
not a man Jack to be seen at work.

Why not?

Come on, lads, step lively!
You're in the Royal Navy! Wake up!

There's Dymchurch spire ahead.
Quick march!

The naval press-gang's

on the road

amen

The reason
for this special midweek service is this.

Having talked with our squire
and landlord, sir Thomas,

a two-day public holiday has been declared

in honor of the birthday
of our beloved king George.

Furthermore...

He vanished. Like a ghost.

The Scarecrow.

"I order every able-bodied man to leave
the town immediately

"and hide himself in the marshes.

"The naval press-gang is on its way
under orders from the Garrison at Dover,

"to take every man they can lay hands upon.

"Hide, if you love your wives...

"Your freedom."

What authority has this man among you
to give such orders?

Stop! Listen to me!

Vicar, stop them!

Let it be on their conscience.

I command no man.

Amen

Church on a Wednesday?

Old men...

Women...

Brats.

- Ain't there a man here under 60?
- There's some trick going on.

Did they know we was coming, chief?

Blessing of god almighty,
the father, the son, the holy ghost,

to be with you and remain with you always.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Comely Lasses.

Children.

And no men!

Except those with one foot in the grave.

You know who we are?

We're the press-men for king George's Navy!

Just a minute, my pretty!
Where's your man?

And yours? And yours?
Hiding behind your skirts?

Well, they're going to come out
sometime, and when they do...

Leave these people in peace,
you loudmouth, with your threats!

- You go beyond the law!
- Oh, no, I don't.

I got a free hand here from the Navy
and general pugh himself

to scrag every man Jack in this place,
unless...

- That's enough, you hear!
- Unless one of you...

Any one of you that's living on
smugglers' gold, comes fonnard

and tells us where we can lay our hands
on the man you call the Scarecrow.

This is my church, petty officer stubbard.

You know me, reverend?

Oh, yes.
I've seen you at the assize courts

when you've offered service aboard ship
instead of prison to the... the guilty.

You'll find no one for your purpose here.

- You'd best be on your way.
- Aye, aye, sir.

To the inn.

We're dropping anchor here awhile.

A thousand pounds in gold, my pretties.

That's the reward...

For information.

It's yours for the getting.

Or we'll take your men...

Our way.

And it won't be gentle.

That's our orders...

And your choice!

- You insolent dog!
- Aye, aye, sir.

That's me.

Fonnard!

- Come back here!
- No, let them go, sir Thomas.

The parson. Milk and water. Half a man.
Turn the other cheek. Boy!

Follow them. Keep your eyes
and ears open to everything they do.

Oi! Oi!

Stop all this noise, you ruffians!
Stop all this noise!

And take your big boots off my table!

Who'll pay the reckoning
for the damage you do?

The king, my beauty, good king George!

- So don't you worry.
- Ha, ha, ha!

Come on, what about some more Brandy?

Get out of it!

How you can afford to stock Brandy
like this, missus, as if! Didn't know.

- What do you mean?
- Friends with the gentlemen, eh?

Maybe some of them would like to go to sea.

Those that don't swing on the end
of general pugh's gallows, eh, lads?

You touch me, you oaf...

And next time, I'll split your head.

We should have you in the Navy, missus!

All right, all right.

Let's take it nice and easy, eh, shipmates?

Or the lady's liable to cleave our chops!

So, uh, nice and easy, eh?

Good day to one and all.

Mrs. Waggett!

A mug of ale, missus?

You!

Where'll we find some able-bodied men
in these parts?

Oh, there ain't none, sailor.

Do you suppose I'd be a widow
for two years if there was?

The folks is either born old,
or die young here.

Unhealthy place, Matey.

And it's going to get unhealthier when I...

Mrs. Waggett, Mrs. Waggett, come quick!
My wife's in labor now!

Hurry, please!

Well, well.

A man at last!

Here's one likely lad for the Navy.

Run for it, Joe!

All right, shipmates, tie him up
and see what we can coax out of him.

Go to his wife, missus.

Leave this to me.

Don't argue.

Yes, go to his wife.

And tell her she'd better talk to us
if he don't.

Or she won't be seeing him
for a long, long time.

Murderers!

You hit him too hard, sailor!
You won't get no talking out of him.

But I'll talk to you because
I know what you want to know.

Talk, then.

Close the door, boy.
Let's keep it all between friends, eh?

You want to know about Scarecrow,
don't you?

You want to get your hands on him,
don't you?

- Well, better you than me, sailor.
- Talk, talk, come on!

I hope you catch him.
I hope you catch him.

I haven't always been bent
and stunted like this, Matey.

He done that.

He just stared at me.
It was like I'd been struck by lightning.

I've seen him up on the marsh
on a big, gray horse.

When? Where on the marsh?

Where he meets his men, on Thursday nights,

below gibbet corner, by the gallows!

He's a fiend, sailor. He's a devil.

- Gibbet corner, you say?
- Huh.

- Thursdays, you say?
- Huh.

Hear that, lads?

You won't tell no one I told you, sailor,

or my life won't be worth a tinker's curse.

But you'll... you'll split a golden pound
if you take him, eh?

- If? There's no "if" about it, Matey.
- Ah.

- You keep your mouth shut!
- Aye, aye. Aye, aye, shipmate!

I told you to keep your eyes
and your ears open.

You appear to have opened
your mouth as well.

The orders have already gone out

for the rendezvous at gibbet corner,
tomorrow.

- They can hardly be changed.
- I was confused, sir.

Stubbard had already threatened
the lad's wife, that unless he talked...

Yes, yes, his wife.
That's an added danger.

With a newborn baby
and her husband already taken,

she might well talk.
Who can blame her?

What are you going to do, sir?

I don't know yet. First things first.

There's a smuggling run tomorrow
and then...

You've set me a fine problem, haven't you?

Uh, I'm sorry, sir.

But isn't Mrs. Hadley's problem
more important?

She's lost a husband.
You'd only lose a shipment.

Don't you care about her?

I don't lose my head.

I keep it on my shoulders
and I suggest that you do the same.

I would start using mine now, you informer.

Well, we'll all meet tomorrow night
as arranged at gibbet corner.

But listen carefully.

The cripple was right, he is a ghost.

It's flesh and blood, and it can bleed.

After them!

Blindfold them!

You'll hang for this, you dog!
We're the king's men!

The king's vultures, sailor.

Bring the powder monkey fonnard.

You, my brave lad, are to be released
and led blindfold from here,

to take this letter to general pugh
at Dover.

The other bullies are to remain
prisoners here.

Off you go with him.

We'll go, too. Ungag the prisoners.

You have bread and water.

Bread without the weevil bug,
water that is pure.

Better than you give the prisoners
you drag aboard ship to serve the king.

You dog!

If I had you and your gang aboard ship,
I'd have you beaten till you died!

I've seen that, too!

Shout as much as you like!

You're miles from anyone to hear you!

"Deliver the man, Hadley,
the press-gang took,

"to the beach at smuggler's cove,
tonight at eight o' clock,

"and I will exchange my prisoners for him.

"Refuse me, and the king's service
will be short of six dogs."

Does this madman think he can blackmail
the crown, the law, me?

- You seen him?
- Yes, sir. He's a devil, sir.

He'll kill petty officer stubbard
for sure. And all of them.

Hold your tongue. Take him away.

I'll hang three men of Dymchurch
for every life this madman takes.

That won't bring the press-gang
back to life, sir.

No.

And I'm answerable to the admiralty
for the bungling fools.

Blackmail and ransom, is it?

The king exchanging prisoners with a rogue.

Very well, I'll agree.

- You'll agree, sir?
- Oh, yes.

I'll agree. Why not?

Sir, do you really think the general
will take Joe Hadley there tonight?

We'll see. If my signal comes,

you take your orders from mipps
and do your part.

Please, take care, tonight, sir.

General pugh's no fool.

Oh, don't worry. You go with mipps
and join Sam and the others.

There's mipps, now.

Scarecrow!

What are you doing here?
Who are you?

A volunteer, Scarecrow. I brought him.

- Why?
- To help you with your plan.

What do you know of my plan?

Only what I heard Mr. Mipps here
tell a man at the inn.

Loudmouth!

There was only Sam and me, Scarecrow,
and it's just as well he did overhear us.

We need someone to man that boat we've got.

There's a revenue cutter
lying just off the shore.

- So, I volunteered.
- But you're not one of my men.

No, but I've been cooped up,
hidden at that inn for so long,

I'm half off my head with boredom.

Whoever sails that boat
past the cutter to the beach

risks a hanging if he's taken.

Well, I'm condemned to hang already,
so, why not me?

Sounds fair.

Very well, come with me.
Sexton, go about your business.

You stubborn fool, you'll soon see

you mightjust as well have talked
and saved yourself a beating!

Are the other men posted
on all the escape routes?

- Yes, sir.
- Ah.

There must be no mistakes tonight,
Mr. Brackenbury.

And I want this man, this Scarecrow,
taken alive!

Yes, sir.

Untie him. He doesn't need
to be bound like that.

But, sir, the general...

- Untie him!
- Sir!

The revenue cutter's covering
the sea escape.

Now, bring her to the wind!

- Sail full inside!
- Aye, aye, sir!

When the Scarecrow delivers
the six naval hostages

in exchange for the man Hadley,
he'll bring an escort at least as strong.

Then we'll take the lot.

What if the Scarecrow himself
doesn't come, sir?

We'll hang the men we take, publicly,
tomorrow, unless he surrenders himself.

Two can play at the blackmail game.

Tricks is it, general?

Let Hadley go free,
or I'll blow your sergeant's brains out!

You're free to go, Hadley.

Run, man. Hide in the marshes.

But, sir?

I know what I'm doing. We have him now.

Surrender in the king's name!

We have you surrounded!

Give yourself up!

- General!
- Well, shoot him, you fool!

Front rank!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Fire a shot across her bow!

Aim! Fire!

- Cease firing! Get after him, you fool!
- Platoon, fonnard!

Fonnard! Follow me!

I'll get bates! Off with you two, quick!

Haul away there!

- Heave!
- Go on, pull harder!

- Heave!
- Put your backs into it!

Heave!

Halt! Now, heave those barrels
over the side

and roll them up on the beach
where it's high and dry.

Hold! Hold down. Halt!

We have the contraband, anyway, sir.

Blast the contraband!
The scoundrel's clear!

He tricked us! Lied to me!
We haven't even got his hostages!

- Well, you tricked him, sir.
- Tricked him? I'm the law!

General pugh!

Silence!

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Scarecrow!

On our next program, you'll see
another round in the battle of wits

between the Scarecrow
and the king's general pugh.

And in this round, the Scarecrow takes
on the crown prosecutor as well.

In just a minute, we'll be back to show
you some scenes from this story.

Save some space in your graveyard, parson,

for the Scarecrow.

Because I swear to you, he'll be there.

And soon!

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Next week, the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh

continues his campaign against tyranny
and the king's general...

Only to find one of his own men
turning traitor.

Tell me all you know
about the Scarecrow's smuggling gang.

Nobody will know you talked,
Ransley, but it's you or them.

So, what are you going to do now, sir?

We'll make an example of Ransley
that will teach the others a lesson

they won't forget in a hurry.

That's where you come in, John.

I was down at the harbor
working on my boat,

and I heard some men talking
about a smuggling run this week.

Why, there's enough
cover there for you to hide your soldiers

and catch the Scarecrow's men red-handed.

The Scarecrow?

Hold your fire!

The king's prosecutor was a determined man.

Give me the names of the rest ofyourgang,

so that I can bring them to trial.

I don't know who the Scarecrow is!

He'll come fonnard when we've
hanged a few of his men.

I have a better plan.

One that will teach a lesson
to all would-be traitors,

and to king George's revenue men,
who offer blood money.

Thief, liar, traitor.
Convicted by your own words.

And this court sentences you
to die accordingly.

What are you going to do?

Oh, no!

Be with us next week
for a surprising lesson in justice

in part two of
the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh

on Walt Disney's wonderful world of color.

So, what are you going to do now, sir?

Make an example of Ransley

that'll teach the others a lesson
they won't forget in a hurry.

Mutiny among the Scarecrow's men...

Is a worse danger than the soldiers are.

Cheat, liar, traitor.
Convicted by your own words.

And this court sentences you
to die accordingly.

Oh, no.

The world is a carousel of color

Color, color, color

Wonderful, wonderful color
- Color, color

Walt Disney presents...

A wonderful world of color

From Walt Disney's
wonderful world of color,

more adventures
of the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

And now your host, Walt Disney.

On this program,
we bring you part two of our story,

which has a strange hero
with an even stranger name.

Syn. S-y-n, not s-i-n.

Dr. Syn, whose alias was the Scarecrow.

He was a real-life character

who lived in England during the reign
of king George III,

just before the American colonies'
struggle for independence.

At that time, life for the ordinary people
of England was hard.

Taxation was heavy.
There was a great deal of poverty.

Our hero, here, lived a double life.

A respectable clergyman by day,
and a smuggler by night.

He became a legend, a hero,
and a friend to the poor and needy.

For years, the king's army and Navy
tried to catch him

or to force those who followed him
to reveal his identity.

In our story, you'll see
how this strange man, the Scarecrow,

matched his wits

against all the king's horses
and all the king's men.

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow

on the southern coast of England

there's a legend people tell
of days long ago

when the great Scarecrow would ride
from the jaws of hell

and laugh -

With a fiendish yell

with his clothes all torn and tattered
through the black of night he'd ride

from the marsh to the coast
like a demon ghost

he'd show his face then hide

and he'd laugh

Till he split his side

so the king told all his soldiers
hang him high or hang him iow

but never return till the day I learn
he's gone in flames below

-or you'll hang with the great Scarecrow
-ooh

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king

feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow!

He would always help the farmer
when there was no gold to bring

he'd find a way for the poor to pay
the taxes of the king

Scarecrow! Every man would sing
-ooh

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Scarecrow!

I tell you, I will not tolerate
your troops burning cottages

on my land.
- Why not?

Because the people here
are my people, general pugh.

My family have been squires of Dymchurch
for 200 years.

I'm acting under orders that you're under,
too, to maintain the law.

- You're justice of the peace.
- Peace, yes.

- And you've brought war here.
- This is a war against time.

Offering a reward for the capture
of the Scarecrow fellow

who leads this rabble has been useless.

Yes, and so will be burning, terrorizing.
My people hate you.

All right.

I'll make a bargain with you, hmm?

I'll call off my men
if you'll help me try another way.

- Yes, well?
- Now then.

The marsh people share equally
the proceeds of these smuggling runs.

That's the story, is it not? So...

You're the squire here.

Who among your tenants
has been behind in his rents

and then paid up recently, suddenly,
inexplicably perhaps?

Well?

Yes, I see what you're getting at.
I'll go through my accounts.

Yes, do that.

Give me the names and get the fellows round

to your house for questioning.

They won't suspect anything
if you ask them there.

Then you leave them to me.

There's one that comes to mind.
You might make a start with him.

- Mm-hmm.
- A difficult fellow. Bad farmer, too.

A widower with two sons
and an old mother he treats none too well.

- Ransley's the name.
- Right. He'll do for one. Send for him.

Very well.

He'll be round
at my house tomorrow morning.

- Stop this burning, do you hear?
- Your servant, sir.

Come in.

Sir Thomas sent for me. Joe Ransley.

This way.

I'll show him in, William. Hello, Ransley.

Morning, master John.

- What does sir Thomas want to see me for?
- I don't know.

It isn't my father, anyway. Come on.

Come in.

Joe Ransley, sir.

Morning, sir.

Joseph Ransley, north farm, bonnington?

You're not much of a farmer, are you?

Three years of bad harvests,
your sheep flock down to 60 head.

- It's poor land, sir. I do my best.
- Yet you've stayed on it.

You got six months behind
with your rent and suddenly paid it.

And you've been paying it ever since.

- Yes, sir. Well, I...
- How?

I've been selling off
some off my sheep, sir.

- Sir Thomas never questioned it, sir.
- No? Well, I do.

I don't think you sold your sheep,
Ransley. I think you're a smuggler.

- Smuggler? I'm an honest man, sir.
- Yes?

You suddenly raised money
from selling sheep?

Where? To whom?
Prove it with dates and bills of sale.

I don't keep no bills, sir.

Don't try lying to me, Ransley.
You paid with smuggler's gold.

You know who I'm after. The man
who leads you, who pays you off.

- I don't know what you mean, sir.
- Oh, yes, you do.

And I'll give you a simple choice.

I'll throw you into jail on suspicion

and I'll keep you there for questioning
until you rot, or...

- Jail, sir?
- Let me finish.

Or you'll turn king's evidence,

tell me all you know
about the Scarecrow's smuggling gang.

Their movements, where they meet, and when.

Nobody will know you talked, Ransley,
but it's you or them.

I don't know nothing, sir.
I swear I don't know.

- You're under arrest.
- No, no, wait, sir, wait.

Well?

I said I don't know nothing, sir,
and I don't.

But I may be able to find out, sir.

I'd try, if you'd give me
a little time, sir.

I give you 48 hours.

You'll either come fonnard
with the names of the men

you know to be in this madman's gang,

these so-called gentlemen of the marshes,
or you can rot in jail.

You've got 48 hours, Ransley,
you understand?

- Now get out.
- Yes, sir.

I'll find out all I can, sir.

You'd better.

Well, that's what I heard, sir.

And one traitor's enough to get you hanged,

and the rest of us as well.

Hmm, and there's a shipment due
from France tomorrow.

Uh, general pugh
is staying at your father's, you say?

Your head's really
in the lion's mouth, isn't it?

Oh, they don't notice me, sir.

You're going to let me ride with you
tomorrow night, aren't you?

No, I'm afraid not. It's too risky.

- I don't see why.
- I said no, and you'll obey orders.

Your task is to keep your eyes
on general pugh.

And what about Ransley, sir?
He's under orders for tomorrow's run.

Ransley's one of my men,
and has to be protected.

I'm going to bonnington this afternoon.
I'll see what frame of mind he's in.

- Afternoon to you, vicar.
- Afternoon, George.

Brought some things for your grandmother.

- Oh, I'll tell her you're here, sir.
- All right.

Granny, the vicar's here to see you.

- Is, uh, your father about, George?
- He's round in the back, sir.

- I'll tell him you're here.
- Thank you.

Hello, Mrs. Ransley. Nice
to see you getting about again.

Thank you, vicar.

I've, uh, brought something
to cheer you up.

Oh, vicar. You shouldn't.
And to come all this way.

I have a big parish, Mrs. Ransley.

Not as big as your heart, vicar.
You're too kind.

Well, how are you? Joe and the boys
looking after you properly?

Joe? My stepson looks after himself, sir.

- He don't care for nobody else.
- Oh, that can't be true.

Whatever comforts we have here, sir,
me and the boys, is no thanks to him.

It's because of the...

You won't say I told you?
I'm not supposed to tell nobody.

I'm as secret as the grave,
Mrs. Ransley, you know that.

It's because
of the Scarecrow and his smugglers

that we ain't in debt no more.
And Joe's one of them. I know it.

Surely not. That villain?

He's no villain, sir, to us poor folk.

Believe me, sir, if it weren't for him,
there's many hereabouts would starve.

Joe would betray the Scarecrow himself.

I heard him today, telling the boys.

Making them agree to what he's going to do.

They're afraid of him, sir, and I'm...

Well, vicar, you wanted to see me?

Just to say good day to you, Ransley.

And I... I brought these few things
for your mother.

Stepmother.

Time for your rest. Upstairs.

Yes, Joe. Yes, Joe.
Yes, I'm going. I'm going.

Can I get you a glass of Brandy
before you go, vicar?

Why, thank you, yes, you may indeed.

- Oh, vicar, I wanted...
- Take care of yourself, Mrs. Ransley.

- Thank you, sir.
- I'll call again.

- God bless you, sir.
- And you, Mrs. Ransley.

Well.

You're very generous with the Brandy,
my friend, at the price it is today.

Aye.

It's a bigger price than you think.

I regret to say that a great deal of it
in this parish has been smuggled in

by some misguided men under the leadership
of this, uh, this Scarecrow fellow.

I don't know about that.

"Scarecrow, Scarecrow."

Why don't nobody talk about somebody else?

I'm surprised that among all the men
who work for him,

none has betrayed him yet.

Ah, 'cause many of them are scared of him,
that's why.

Othennise they would betray him?

I don't know.
I don't aim to stay and find out.

There's many men don't want to spend
the rest of their lives in this part.

Some have no choice.

But there's ways and means of getting away.

Don't you forget that. I've got plans.

Well, never mind.

Thank you for calling, vicar. Good health.

Well, I must get on my rounds.
I have a busy afternoon ahead of me.

So have I.

- And good day to you, Ransley.
- Good day to you.

And goodbye.

I've got another horse and cart, dad.

Good. Leave it in the barn, Jim.

You, George, load everything we can take
on our cart, and you help him.

Take it up to the old oast house,
at knoll hill. I'll meet you there.

Dad, what are you planning?

I'll tell you when we get
to the oast house. Go on, hurry.

Whoa.

Go on, George, get on with it.

Now, when we get the bonnington share
of the contraband tomorrow night,

we'll bring it back here,

and then we'll stow our stuff on top of it.

- And then clear out.
- Clear out?

Yeah. Clear out.

I've got to. Away from here
and the Scarecrow, general pugh, the lot.

We'll sell the Brandy bit by bit
on the way to London,

- then we can go where we want.
- But the Scarecrow will find out.

Ah, we'll be well on our way
before he does.

And with money in our pockets.

- Dad, you can't do this.
- Shut up. I tell you, I got to.

Or else pugh will have me in jail.
Come on, get on with it.

What are you going to do now, sir?

Make an example of Ransley
that'll teach the others a lesson

they won't forget in a hurry.

Mutiny among the Scarecrow's men
is a worse danger than the soldiers are.

Will you have
to postpone tomorrow's run, then?

No, no. That cargo from France
is too valuable for that.

Yes, but if Ransley thieves part of it,

he'll make the Scarecrow look a fool
to all the rest.

The government has sent an army
to protect us.

The army shall protect us.

That's where you come in, John. Um...

General, there's, uh, something I...

Why are you scowling?

I'm sorry, Kate.
I was thinking about the general.

He dislikes me and he thinks I'm a fool.

But he thinks everybody's a fool
except himself.

Why let it bother you?
I think you're the nicest man I ever met.

Oh, Kate.

If only I had a chance to do something
to make him sit up and take notice.

Mr. Brackenbury,
can I talk to you a minute?

- I've something to tell you, sir.
- Where have you been?

He's always disappearing for hours on end.

Please, quiet.

I was down at the harbor,
working on my boat,

and I heard some men talking
about a smuggling run this week.

- Oh. Where? And when?
- Tomorrow night.

They didn't say
where the cargo'd be landed,

only where they'd be taking
their part of it.

- It's a cargo of Brandy.
- And where are they taking it?

To knoll hill, oast house, they said.

I could show you the place on a map.

Why there's... there's enough cover
there for you to hide your soldiers

and catch the Scarecrow's men red-handed.

The Scarecrow? These were his men?

From the way they spoke of him.

I don't know who they were.
I've... I've never seen them before.

- My, this is wonderful.
- Will you report it to the general?

No, and don't you either.
I'll take care of this myself.

All right,

but you won't let anybody know
that I told you what I heard, sir.

The Scarecrow's men would kill me.

I'll draw you a map
and take it to your room.

Hmm.

It's true, Philip. They would kill him.
They're desperate men.

Kate, this is the chance
I've been waiting for.

I'm sorry.

Help unload.

Come on. Hurry, lads.

Steady. Hold it.

- For your captain.
- Throw the kegs out first.

Scannel, Davis,
this is the romnet village share.

Take the marsh road eastward.

- Hurry!
- Right, load.

Sam, to Hathaway's.
This load is for Dymchurch.

Sir.

Ransley, your load is for the people
of bonnington.

Here we go, lads.

Get a move on, George. Hurry up.

Whoa!

Now, load our gear. Come on.
We've no time to waste.

What are you going to do about granny, dad?

Nothing. Leave her. She'd be in the way.

- Yeah, but, dad...
- Come on, get on with it.

Halt, in the king's name.

Run for it, lads.

Halt, Ransley!

Hold your fire!

The court has heard
the evidence against these...

Wretched men.

They were caught red-handed

with 20 kegs of contraband spirit
in their possession.

Defrauding his majesty's revenue.

They have no defense.

I demand that an example
should be made of them,

as a warning to all men
and to their infamous leader.

I demand

that they suffer the extreme penalty...

Of the law.

Unless?

Unless, as I am instructed by general pugh,

they here and now... confide the name...

Of their leader, called the Scarecrow.

In which case, the crown
will not press for their death by hanging.

I don't know who the Scarecrow is, sir.

I tell you, I don't know. Nobody knows.

But you've seen him, spoken to him.

Only to get orders.
When he called a meeting, I haven't...

Where does he hold his meetings?
Tell me that.

Different places, sir.
Different every time.

On the beach, on the marsh,

in somebody's barn.

Why protect him now?
He betrayed you.

Who is the man, Ransley?

I don't know, sir.
Or else I'd tell the court.

I don't want to swing for the likes of him.

Silence.

Silence in court.

That concludes the case
for the prosecution, your worship.

Joseph Ransley...
George Ransley, James Ransley.

The court is left with no alternative

- but to...
- By your leave, your worship,

I... I've just returned home,
and I've found this note.

Um, it's a threat, sir,
and I... I do not care for threats.

What's this, hmm?

"If the reverend Dr. Syn speaks
for the prisoners on trial,

"he will answer to the Scarecrow
with his own life."

Who would want to threaten you, parson?

Were you about to speak
for these ruffians in the dock?

How would he know that?

Well, general, words get spread, isuppose.

I had mentioned to my sexton, mipps,

uh, a point of law that had occurred
to me, regarding this case,

and, uh, mipps is not averse
to an audience at the inn,

where many people spend their evenings.

What point of law, vicar?

Well, one which, if you will allow me,
would certainly save

these unhappy prisoners from punishment,
were it proved true.

I object to this interruption,
your worship.

- The crown demands...
- If you please, Mr. Fragg.

What is this point of law
that occurred to you, vicar?

Well... well, sir, uh,
would this arch-smuggler,

knowing that the prisoners
were false to him, as undoubtedly he did,

would he waste 20 kegs of expensive spirit
to bait his trap?

I... I wondered if the contents
of the kegs had been examined.

If... if indeed they contained contraband,

then, of course,
the prisoners must stand condemned.

But, uh, should they not be examined first?

Has counsel for the crown
any objection to this?

No. No, of course not.

Beadle.

Go and open the kegs.

And general, I trust I can rely
on the protection of your troops

for coming fonnard after this threat
to my safety.

Of course, of course.

Well, beadle?

Your worship,
the kegs are filled with sea water.

Every one we've tried.

- Sea water?
- Sea water?

There is no law in England
that can hang a man,

or even imprison him,
for carrying kegs of water.

The case is dismissed.

The prisoners Ransley can go free.

You incompetent.

I thought you were a fool,
and now I know you are.

- You bungled this whole business.
- Yes, general.

Trying to take the law into your own hands.

Get out of my sight.
Report back to Dover castle.

Thank you, vicar.
Thank you for what you've done.

You've escaped the law, Ransley,

but your Scarecrow leader
won't let you escape him,

nor any of his men
who know you for a traitor,

if you stay in this district.

You'd best get away, as far as you can.

You got off this hook,
but you're still on mine, Ransley.

You've till tonight, that's all.

Keep close watch on Ransley. Off you go.

And you can watch Mr. Fragg,
the prosecutor.

Here we go. Here we go.

- Sherry, please.
- Rum for me, Mrs. Waggett, please.

This case you came down for

must have been a great disappointment
to you, sir.

And who might you be?

Me, sir? Uh, Mr. Mipps, sir.

Sexton, verger, carpenter, and undertaker.

And what is more, right-hand man,
in matters spiritual and othennise,

to the vicar, Dr. Syn.

Indeed.

You seem to mind every kind of business,
except your own.

Oh. That's very good, sir.
Very good.

If you want to know anything about anyone
in these parts, I'm the man to come to.

And, being a servant of the church,
the soul of discretion

and on the side of the law.

Hmm.

Well, I suppose you'll be on your way
back to London tomorrow,

now that your business here is over.

Perhaps it isn't, Mr. Mipps.
Perhaps it isn't.

Allow me, sir. It's an honor for me.

- Thank you.
- To your very good health, sir.

- Yes, I felt for you in the court today.
- Did you?

Hmm.

Well, and your very good health, too.

You say you are on the side
of the law, sexton?

Why, naturally I am, sir.

The law was thwarted today.
You realize that.

Ah, that Ransley's a villain, sir.
A villain.

It was a wicked miscarriage of justice.

How far away does this Ransley live?

Oh, about an hour's ride
on a good horse, sir.

Can you get me a good horse,
without all the world knowing, tonight?

Tonight, sir?

- Why tonight?
- Can you get me a good horse, sexton?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, I can...
I can get that for you, sir, but, um,

mum's the word, eh?

I'll meet you at the fork
in the sea road in half an hour.

I'll have the horse for you there. Right?

Oh, well.

Time for home and bed.
Good night, Mrs. Waggett.

Good night, sir. Good night, boys.

Good night, Mr. Mipps.

Oh. It's you, eh?

- What do you want with me?
- To talk to you.

- The prosecutor's just gone in.
- I know. I followed him here.

- Are all the Ransleys there?
- No, only him.

The boys have run away,
and the old lady's gone.

- How can we hear what's going on?
- Well, this door leads to the kitchen.

I'm getting out of here.

Run away?
Where are you going to run?

This Scarecrow fellow
or his followers will stop you going.

- Unless you stop them first.
- Your life isn't worth that.

Unless I help you, which I won't do,

without you help me.

You can't touch me, now.

You can't try me twice
for the same offense.

You were acquitted by a trick.

You didn't know there was water
in those kegs.

The Scarecrow knew it, Ransley,

and if he knew that,
he knows you plan to run.

I've got to run.
Not only from him and the others.

- General pugh's after me, too.
- General pugh?

To put me in jail...
Unless I turn king's evidence.

You tell me what I want to know,

and I'll offer you something
much better than that.

What do you mean?
The reward for your leader, Ransley.

Give me the names of the rest ofyourgang,

so that I can bring them to trial.

And get me throat cut for certain?

You'll get it out if you stay,
and if you run.

Oh, leave me alone, can't you?

Listen to me. The department
of revenue will protect you, if you talk.

- I can't talk.
- They won't even know it was you,

and even if they did,
you'll be a hundred miles away,

with enough money to start another life.

- They'll kill me for sure!
- They won't know.

You won't even have to appear in court.

Your written statement's all I need,
and the signal system,

and the hiding places for your loot.

That'll do you no good.

I don't know who the Scarecrow is!

He'll come fonnard
when we've hanged a few of his men.

Or someone will give him up.
You leave that to me.

Give me some names, Ransley.

You owe him nothing.
And you can buy your freedom.

You...

The Scarecrow...

General pugh...

You're driving me out of my head.

Talk, and there'll be 999 more like this.

The reward, you fool.
Keep out of general pugh's way.

Bring your list of names to me.
Twenty will do.

I'll meet you this time tomorrow night
at the castle ruins,

and you can have the rest.
Then you will be safe.

Safe from general pugh
because you will have done your duty.

And safe from all the rest as well.

Fail me... and you are finished.

- Nobody'll know?
- Nobody.

Come in.

Well, Mr. Prosecutor.

What do you want at this hour?

I thought you left
on the London mail coach?

I'll leave when my business here
is finished.

You called me incompetent
after today's fiasco.

I've come to tell you
that I'll make you eat those words.

You have, have you?
And how will you make me do that?

By bringing to justice
enough of the smugglers here

to smash the Scarecrow gang.

- And probably catch him, too.
- Just like that, eh?

Well, well, well.

And when will this haul take place,
may I ask?

- This time tomorrow night.
- Hmm.

I want to make sure
you'll be here to help me.

Help you? How?

Supply me with an armed escort
when I go to round up these criminals.

I don't imagine they'll come along
without a struggle, general.

- What have you found out, lawyer?
- Have a squadron of your troops ready

standing by at the old monastery,
tomorrow night at this hour.

And I'll tell you then.
I'll show you, general.

Tomorrow night, at this hour, eh?

Very well,
I'll ride with the troops myself.

- Thank you. Good night to you, general.
- Mr. Fragg.

I hope this time you've not bitten off
more than you can chew.

It's a good thing there are more brains
in my profession

than the evidence would seem
to show there are in yours.

Good night again.

Ransley will sell us all,
you can be sure of that.

Selling the freedom, even the lives,

of 20 of his fellow marshmen
won't bother him.

We should stop him now.
Get rid of him, sir.

There'd be plenty willing to do it.

Ransley's planning to hand over to the law.

I have a better plan.

One that'll teach a lesson
to all would-be traitors

and to king George's revenue men
who offer blood money.

Ransley?

Ransley?

Why have you brought me here like this?

I ain't done nothing.

Untie me, curse you.
I'll fight any two of you.

What's wrong with you? You're my mates.

I'm one of you, ain't I?

No, Ransley.

This court is now in session.

Uncover the second prisoner's eyes,

so that he can see the Scarecrow's justice.

You pack of scoundrels.

In the king's name,
I demand that you release me.

Gag him.

Now, the indictment
against the first prisoner.

Joseph Ransley,
you stand charged with treachery.

How say you, guilty or not guilty?

- I ain't hurt you none, Scarecrow.
- Guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty, curse you!

First witness, curlew.

"I, the undersigned, witnessed
the accused Ransley's conversation

"with the prosecutor
for his majesty's department

"of customs and excise

- "on the night of the 16th."
- What?

"During which conversation,
the said Ransley,

"agreed to turn king's evidence
against the rest of us assembled here."

Silence.

"Further, the accused agreed to hand over

"20 names of men in our organization

"and to sell this list for gold
to prosecutor fragg."

That's a lie. I ain't even spoken to him,

except in the court.
That time the parson got me off.

You're lying, Ransley.

You were offered gold
to betray your friends.

- No.
- This gold!

Taken from prosecutor fragg,
who came to keep his bargain with you.

Next witness. Hellspite.

"I, the undersigned, witnessed
the second prisoner, prosecutor fragg,

"in the company of mipps,
the sexton of Dymchurch,

"at the fork in the sea road.

"I followed the said fragg
across the marsh to the accused's cottage.

"This, on the night of the 16th."

Lies. It's all lies.

Silence.

Stand down.

And now my deposition, Ransley.

On the last run of my gentlemen,

you attempted to steal from us,
were caught, and put on trial.

I didn't hurt you none,
and I was acquitted.

Through the intercession of a parson

who disobeyed
my instructions not to interfere.

I'll deal with him later.

You told the prosecutor at your trial
that you would betray me if you could.

In spite of the oath you made with me.
The oath that every man here has taken.

If a man thinks he's going to be hanged,

and his sons with him, he'll say anything.

What kind of man will sell his friends
to the hangman for gold, Ransley?

- I ain't done that.
- And never intended to?

- No!
- Empty his pockets.

Here are the names he would sell.

Perhaps your names are among them.

You were taking that note
to the prisoner fragg tonight?

All right, curse you, so I was.

You think you own us all.

You were going to kill me,
you drove me sons away,

and the army was after me.

Cheat, liar, traitor.
Convicted by your own words.

Gentlemen of the jury, how say you?
Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?

Guilty! Guilty!

Guilty it is.

And this court sentences you
to die accordingly.

You dog, you're not fit to live.

What are you going to do?

- Oh, no.
- Gag him, hellspite.

No, no, don't.

And spare us seeing him die
a coward as well as a traitor.

You, curlew, cover the lanterns.

Uncover the lanterns.

Justice is done. So end all men
who would betray the Scarecrow

and the people of the marshes.

Let him go.

Curlew, give my gentlemen the king's gold.

Share it among you.
And remember the Scarecrow's justice.

Now go, quickly.

Let him down.

Hmm.

Oh. I thought...
I thought he was...

No. He's fainted.
I was afraid he'd come to

while fragg was still here.

Ransley!

Oh, no, no. No.

You're dead, Ransley. Dead.

To all the men of the marsh,
who would othennise kill you.

I give you one hour to cross
the county line and away from here.

Othennise, you'll really die.

You're dead. Run for your life!

Is the coffin ready?

Aye, sir. I finished it yesterday.

Laughter, sexton?
Have you no respect for the dead?

Drive on. Drive on.

Well, sir, as you said,
"so end all traitors."

And the Scarecrow's men
still ride the marshes.

Can nobody stop the villain?

They'll still try, sir, don't worry,
they'll still try. Look.

Save some space in your graveyard, parson,
for the Scarecrow.

Because I swear to you he'll be there.

And soon.

Well, good luck to you, general, and...
And take care with that cold you have.

Fonnard.

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king

feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
- Ooh, ooh

just the same - Ooh

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Scarecrow!

On our next program, we'll bring you
the third and final adventure

of Dr. Syn, alias the Scarecrow.

It's one of the most daring
and dangerous exploits of them all.

We'll be back in just a minute
with a few scenes

from this exciting story.

Next week,
an encounter with a figure from the past

leads the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
on his most dangerous mission.

If you're the deserter,
we're here to help, not harm you.

I'm Dr. Syn.

Now, Harry, this is Simon bates,
an American. He's hunted by the law, too.

- Mr. Banks.
- How do you do, Mr. Bates?

- Deserter?
- No.

Preaching sedition.
Freedom for the colonies.

- Then you're taking a big risk.
- So are you.

And you're wasting time.
Come on, off you go.

Halt in the king's name.

There are some prisoners in the castle.
They've asked for my help.

- I intend to release them.
- Release them, Scarecrow?

You will be led
by the vicar of Dymchurch, Dr. Syn.

- Halt!
- Be with us

as the Scarecrow
brings his fight for freedom

to the king's general's stronghold.

Next week, in the conclusion of our story,

the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

On Walt Disney's wonderful world of color.

There are some prisoners in the castle.
They have asked for my help.

- I intend to release them.
- Release them, Scarecrow?

You will be led by the vicar of Dymchurch,
Dr. Syn.

Ben Davis, do you trust me? All of you?

Or will you stand fonnard now
and say that you're afraid?

The world is a carousel of color

Color, color, color

Wonderful, wonderful color
- Color, color

Walt Disney presents...

A wonderful world of color

This week, we bring you more adventures

of the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

And now your host, Walt Disney.

On this program, we bring you the third
and concluding adventure

of the most wanted man
in England 200 years ago.

He had two names, two identities.

One of them, he was Dr. Syn,
vicar of Dymchurch parish.

And the other, he was known only
by his nickname,

the Scarecrow.

And under this alias,
he led the greatest smuggling gang

in the country.

All around here, on the southeast coast
of England, where he lived.

They still talk about him
in some of the old inns there today.

And you can see rooms he hid or slept in.

And the parish church
where he preached as vicar.

In those days,
ordinary folk found life very, very hard.

They were poor,
and the laws of the land were harsh.

So, because this strange character,
the Scarecrow,

robbed the government of revenue,
to help the poor,

he became a hero and a legend.

And all the forces of law and order
that tried to stop him

were outwitted so often that even
the king himself intervened personally

to try and put an end to the Scarecrow.

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow...

on the southern coast of England
there's a legend people tell

of days long ago when the great Scarecrow
would ride from the jaws of hell

and laugh -

With a fiendish yell

with his clothes all torn and tattered
through the black of night he'd ride

from the marsh to the coast
like a demon ghost

he'd show his face then hide

and he'd laugh

Till he split his side

so the king told all his soldiers
hang him high or hang him iow

but never return till the day I learn
he's gone in flames below

or you'll hang with the great Scarecrow
- Ooh

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow!

He would always help the farmer
when there was no gold to bring

he'd find a way for the poor to pay
the taxes of the king

Scarecrow! Every man would sing
-ooh

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Scarecrow!

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

I sent for you.

So you could explain to me
this enormous loss in the revenue.

Your orders were to stamp out
this smuggling,

yet in the weeks you've been down there,
it's grown worse.

Well, sir? Well?

The whole countryside protects

the smugglers and their leader,
your majesty.

They see him as a benefactor.

Protects! Protects!

My home secretary bombards me
with figures of the drop in excise duties.

I have to listen to sly jokes
at my expense and my army's expense.

Cartoons appear in the public press,

showing me dancing
like a puppet on strings,

held by this fellow
they call the Scarecrow.

I sent you extra troops
and what happens? Nothing! Nothing!

By making a fool of yourself,
you make a fool of me.

I'm doing my best, sir, but as I said...

Your best is not good enough, general.

You let this scoundrel
slip through your fingers, didn't you?

Well, sir?

- Well?
- I did everything in my power...

Silence!

I should relieve you of your command,
perhaps.

Eh? Eh, sir?

- If you'll give me a little more time...
- Time! Time!

I have a war in France,
rumors of insurrection in america,

and I must give you time?

More money, more men

to deal with a pack of smuggling yokels
in my own country?

You're incompetent and lax, general.

I'll stamp out this business,
your majesty. I give you my word.

Just one month, sir.

I'll give you one month.

The war office said that you were
a hard man, general.

Well, sir, be hard. Do you hear me, eh?

Be hard.

Now, go back to your command
and use your brains.

Made by men.
There's a new spirit in the world, mipps.

Taxed out of existence,
robbed of their independence

by the king's government,
the people must fight back how they can.

- Men can't beat armies, sir.
- Ideas can.

Faith can move mountains.

What we're doing here is just a pinprick,

but 1,000 pinpricks put together will...

Who's that?

- Who are you, stranger?
- Gently, mipps.

Dr. Syn. Mother Hathaway sent me, sir.

- There are troops out searching for me.
- Why? What have you done?

- You're an American, are you not?
- Yes, sir.

I've been branded a traitor,

and sentenced to death
for preaching sedition.

You should know this
because I ask for sanctuary.

Sedition?

That's what king George calls our wish
for freedom and independence, yes.

- I can't deny you sanctuary, mister...
- Bates. Simon bates, sir.

Mr. Bates. But it would not be safe
for either of us to hide you here.

- You'll give me up?
- No.

But, mipps,
take him to Mrs. Waggett's inn.

My sexton will know what to say to her.

She'll hide you till the coast is clear.
You say nothing.

- Any sign of him?
- No, sergeant.

All right. Let's make for the hills.
Fonnard!

Oh, hang it all, vicar, you'd think
I might beat you once in a while.

- He's as clever as a fox.
- Do you play, general?

No, I haven't got the Patience for games.

But you hunt the fox though,
don't you, sir?

- Well?
- General pugh, sir.

Squadron searching the marshes,
cooperating with the naval pickets.

- I know, I know.
- All the press-gang men

who jumped ship at Dover
have been recaptured, sir.

- Good.
- Except one.

- What?
- A man was seen heading for Dymchurch

an hour ago, but we lost him.

Permission to carry out
house-to-house search, sir?

- Yes.
- Sir.

Every house, you understand.
And thoroughly. Spare no one.

This is the chance I've been waiting for
to turn this place inside out.

I don't wonder a deserter would
head this way.

Why, general?

Because your people
here are lawless themselves.

They shield this Scarecrow
and his smugglers, don't they?

- You have no proof of that.
- They do.

And if I find one of them, any of them,
hiding a deserter,

there'll be some hanging here.

Well, good night, sir Thomas.
It's time I was getting home.

Good night to you, vicar.

- I'll see you to the gate, sir.
- Good night, sir.

General.

If they search every house,
they'll find Mr. Bates,

- the American rebel you're hiding.
- We'll have to move him.

Come on.

If you're the deserter,
we're here to help. Not harm you.

I'm Dr. Syn, vicar of Dymchurch.

Dr. Syn?

I can't believe it after all these years.
Do you know him, John?

It's Harry, your brother.

I didn't recognize you, either.

You've grown so much.

And you with a beard.

And you used to be fat!

- Have you just come?
- I had to wait till it was dark.

Anyone here would know me.

Why, Harry, come in the house.
Well, father's there and...

Really, I can't. There's soldiers there.
I saw them through the window.

- Harry.
- You heard general pugh.

They hang deserters from the Navy.
Harry's the man they're looking for.

The marshes are now
under military law, sir.

I have my authority from the king.

If you have any objection,
complain to him, sir. Not to me.

Thank you for dinner and good night.

Good night to you, sir.

- Madam, Mr. Brackenbury.
- General.

Won't you let Philip stay a little longer?
Just as a favor to me? Please?

Very well.

Speak to father now.

All right, Kate.

Could I talk to you a moment, sir?

Hmm?

Have I your permission to ask
for Kate's hand, sir?

No, sir. You have not.

I understand that your family regards you
as independent and rebellious,

and they've cut you off. Am I right?

Well, yes, sir, it's true.
My father and I...

And that you live on your army pay.

How am I to know
that you're not more interested

in Kate's fortune than her hand?

As Kate's father, sir, you may consider it
your privilege to question my honor,

but I'm afraid I do not.

- Good night, sir Thomas.
- Good night, Mr. Brackenbury.

I'm leaving.
There's nothing more to say after that.

Isn't there something to say to me?
Father fights everybody.

He only respects those
who fight him back, and so do I.

Aren't you going to fight for me?

Oh, Kate.

Do you know when we're in port,
we're netted below decks like cattle?

Fed and watered and penned
and driven to the slaughter, we...

What's this, vicar?

Hello, father.

Harry?

Harry.

It can't be! It can't be you.

After all these years, boy.

I thought you...

I thought you were dead.

Only half dead, father.

You look it. Why are you here,
hiding like a criminal, hmm?

I am a criminal, sir.

Harry's the deserter they're looking for,
sir Thomas.

- You deserted?
- Escaped.

They took me by force,
and I got away by force.

Four years of my life they've had.

Want to see the decorations I got
in the king's service?

I'm no longer going to be treated
like a dog.

My dear boy.

Come over to the house, you look starved.

I am, sir.

You can't go to the house, sir.
Philip brackenbury's still there.

I must get you away.
Leave this to me, sir Thomas, will you?

- Yes, but how will you...
- And ask no questions.

If you know nothing,

then you'll not have to lie
when the Navy comes searching.

I'll see you again, boy. As soon as I can.

Don't worry, my sexton
and I will deal with this.

Now go with your father, John.

Good night, sir.

Do you think he heard or saw anything?

I don't know, sir. But if he did,
we'll soon find out, and so will Dr. Syn.

I must warn him to get Harry away at once.

My family.

Hundreds of years of pride and privilege.

I wonder what they'd think of me now,

running away like a stray dog.

Cover that lantern.

- All well, mipps?
- Yes, sir.

John warned me just in time.
I got Mr. Bates here out of the inn,

five minutes before the soldiers came.

Mr. Harry, I couldn't believe it
when I heard. It's good to see you, sir.

Harry, this is Simon bates from america.
He's hunted by the law, too.

- Mr. Banks.
- How do you do, Mr. Bates?

- Deserter?
- No, preaching sedition.

Freedom for the colonies.

- Mipps, tell them where they're to go.
- Yes, sir.

Yes. Mr. Bates, you remember
broken barn in the bonnington hills?

Take Mr. Harry with you and hide there
till I send word.

Enter through the barn doors.
And under the fourth beam,

there's a trap door
leading to an underground stable.

- An underground stable?
- That's right.

You'll be perfectly safe there.
We'll get food to you as you need it,

but whatever you do, keep undercover.

Mr. Mipps, Dr. Syn,
you're taking a big risk.

So are you, and you're wasting time.
Come on, off you go.

There are soldiers and pickets
everywhere, sir.

How are you going to get
the two of them out?

By the first ship that delivers
for the Scarecrow.

You hope.

Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.

Two men coming.

Halt, in the king's name.

What's this?

We caught him and another one besides, sir.

Call off the search, we have them.

That... that's Mr. Harry, sir Thomas' son.

Who are you?

All right.

You'll find your tongue, I promise you.

You're going to be sorry
you were ever born, the pair of you.

Take them both to Dover castle.

They took them off in a cart, sir.
Trussed like chickens.

To Dover, you say?

That means pugh,
and that's just what he wants.

He'll know that bates
has been harbored here.

And he'll do everything in his power
to force him to say by whom.

That puts Mrs. Waggett in danger,
and yourself.

- And you in worse danger, sir.
- Yes, but it's my fault.

Then there's Harry and his family.

Now, if brackenbury has discovered
anything and reports it...

Are you going to warn sir Thomas
that Harry's been taken?

No, he'll find out soon enough.

I think I'll go to Dover.
See what I can learn.

You'll either give me the information
I want...

Here and now...

Or I'll hand you over
to more forcible persuasion.

I could have you hanged today, both of you.

Apart from your stealing from me,

you're already condemned,
and you stand condemned a deserter.

But turn king's evidence,
I'll spare your lives.

Who sheltered you all this time?

This Scarecrow who flouts the law
down here?

- No.
- Then one of his men?

Must have been.

Answer me.

No.

And why did you head for these parts?
Who did you think would hide you?

This Scarecrow,
because he helped another scoundrel

escape the king's service?

Who are your friends here?

Talk and I'll exchange their lives
for yours.

Take them to the dungeons,
and see what answers you can get,

- by whatever means.
- Yes, sir. March!

The vicar of Dymchurch, sir. Dr. Syn.

Well, what do you want here, parson?

I have my duties, general.
I'm chaplain to the jail.

I'm here to serve holy communion
to the prisoners.

I normally report
to the Garrison commander before I do so.

And master banks?

To assist me, sir.

Well, it's not a duty I'd relish, myself.
The stench in the dungeon

is strong enough to build another wall on.

Our duties are not always made easy.

For any of us.

But the end justifies the means, eh?

Even when
those means include torture, general?

Mr. Brackenbury's talking
of those swine who just left.

To be tortured?

They hold the key to unlock
the conspiracy of silence

which protects this Scarecrow madman,
and I intend to get it. That's my duty.

Tell me one thing, sir.

If they had told you what they knew
when you promised them their lives,

would you have kept
your side of the bargain?

Don't be a fool.
They're to hang, anyway.

Of course, sir.

With your permission, sir,
I'll go to the dungeons now.

Your servant, sir.

I need an ally here.
I wonder if I've found one.

Wake up! On your feet.

Show some respect
to the chaplain, you dogs.

Kneel.

Lift up your hearts in hope and trust.

Let us pray.

Open up! Naval picket!

By your leave, reverence.

I want six men.

Come on, step lively if you don't want
a rope's end across your backs.

Get them chained!

Press-ganged. Poor devils.

You iot'll board the lugger
for h. Ms defiant.

Wave your mates goodbye, you dogs.

We're gonna make men of you.

You obstinate dogs.

We haven't finished with you yet.

Here we are again, mate.

Six less mouths for you to feed.

March!

God be with you.

And have mercy on you.

I'm about to conduct a service here,
jailer.

I should like to be alone
with the prisoners.

- But it ain't safe, your reverence.
- Let me be the judge of that.

Leave us.

Oh, Harry!

They didn't make us talk.

Hello, vicar. We ran out of luck.

Get up, John.

Get up.

Rest of you, kneel again.

And listen to me.

Does the naval picket come and go
like that to take men to the ships?

Yes, sir, we never know when.

I see.

Harry, Mr. Bates,

I don't know by what means, but somehow,
I'm going to get you away from here

before pugh breaks your spirit
as well as your body.

He'll never break us.

And we'll never talk.

There's no way out of here,
except in a coffin. Not for us.

There must be.

Trust me.

All of you. Somehow, I will get you free.

- Free? Free, sir?
- Not so loud.

Repeat after me. "Letteth now
thy servant depart in peace."

"Letteth now thy servant
depart in peace."

"For mine eyes have beheld
thy salvation."

"For mine eyes have beheld
thy salvation."

I wanted to fly at them
for what they've done to Harry.

- Poor bates.
- You did very well in there, John.

Do you... you really think you...
You'll be able to help them escape, sir?

I... I don't know.

I have an idea.

It's a wild gamble, an outside chance.

Stand against the door a minute, boy.

Hmm, pretty good, though I say so myself.

Here it is, sir.

I hope it works. It's the key...

- To the whole plan.
- What is the plan, sir?

The Scarecrow will tell you that tonight.
Get word to all our men

there'll be a meeting at ten o' clock
tonight at five-mile barn.

Tonight?

Time is running out.
Get on your way, mipps.

Here they are.

- All here?
- All who were asked for.

A shipment's due from Holland
tomorrow night.

There's a change of plan.

We will not be taking the cargo.
We shall take the ship!

I have business. Export business,
not import, to transact from Dover.

There are some prisoners in the castle.
They have asked for my help.

I intend to release them.

Release them, Scarecrow? How?

Twelve men will board the dutchman's ship.

Force him to sail her
into St. Margaret's bay,

this side of Dover.

Heave to there, bring two boats ashore.

Six others will report to hellspite,

masked at Dymchurch graveyard,
eight o' clock.

Sam, Ben Davis, you will be required
to enter the castle dungeon.

You will be led by the vicar of Dymchurch,
Dr. Syn.

- The vicar?
- Why's that?

He's under my orders, too.
He has no choice.

And the squire's son, John.

I have proof that they gave shelter
to a deserter from the Navy.

This proof will be given to general pugh
if they refuse to help me with my plan.

- They will hang.
- You mean you blackmailed the vicar?

To keep my word to those who ask
for help, I'd blackmail the king himself.

My plan is set.

Ben Davis? You trust me? All of you?

Or will you stand fonnard now,
and say that you're afraid?

I trust you, Scarecrow. I ain't afraid.

Nor me. But the vicar?

Leave Dr. Syn to me.
I have him like that.

And the boy.

Tomorrow night,

the Scarecrow and his gentlemen
will thumb their noses at general pugh

and the king's injustice.
Be on time!

Our orders are to get
the press-gang uniforms.

- Who are these men?
- Never you mind.

Put this on, young master.

Now, follow me.

To you fair ladies now at land

we men at sea indict

but first would have you understand

how hard it is to write...

Mrs. Waggett'll look after
the drummer boy.

Right. Off with their uniforms,
mates, and don't tear them.

You'll come to no harm, lad.
Go on, take off your uniform.

Then tie the buzzards up.

Upstairs, missus.

Upstairs!

Now, come on, hurry up, lads.

Halt!

Who goes there?

Naval picket
for the pressed-men in the jail, sir.

- I'll escort them.
- Sir.

Fonnard.

You wait outside the gate, powder monkey.

What are you trying to do, sir?

Release the prisoners
from injustice and torture.

Isn't that what you want?

How will you open the dungeon?

Even the vicar will hang,
dressed like that, if they catch us now.

Why don't you give up, then?

No.

I'm finished, anyway.

- And it's time for me to do the rounds.
- Sit down. Later for that.

- I'm late already.
- Sit down. Your deal.

I give the orders here.

Come on, your deal.

You didn't shuffle them cards
very well, did you?

Yes, I did. You saw me.
It was a fair deal.

Fair to you, maybe.

My trick.

All right, but you can take
that grin off your face.

What's wrong?

It was your idea to go on playing, anyway.

- My trick.
- Your trick? Your trick?

It's unnatural.

There. Take that one.

And the next two. Your deal.

Wait. Give me that card.

What was that?

I'm Dr. Syn.

Keep quiet and do as you're told.
We'll get you away from here.

Will you be able to walk?
Feel strong enough?

No noise.

We have to chain you together,

so that it looks correct
when you are crossing the courtyard,

so that one of you doesn't make
a break for it and spoil everything.

Shush. Down!

All right. Quickly.

Quickly.

Nothing.
The louts have probably been fighting.

Let's get on with the game.

It don't make any difference.
I haven't won a hand yet.

I'm not surprised, the way you play.

All right, then, we'll play one more hand.

Double or quit.

How are you gonna settle ifyoulose?

You owe me a week's pay already.

Oh, stop gabbing!

If I could get half
the talk out of them two prisoners

pugh gave me to work
on as I get out of you...

Wait a minute.

- My trick.
- It's my trick.

It's my trick!

- It's mine, I played the king.
- It's mine, I played the king!

No, you didn't, you played the Jack.

- No, I didn't.
- Yes, you did.

- You played the Jack.
- Are you calling me a liar?

You played the Jack!

Halt!

- What's this?
- Naval picket for the pressed men, sir.

Straighten up, you mangy dogs!

You're in the king's service now.
Quick march!

What the devil?

Hellspite of the gentlemen,
at your service, squire.

The gentlemen? You smuggling scoundrels,
what do you want in my house?

You, squire, and your daughter.

- Why you...
- Quiet and easy, now, squire.

No hollering for servants, or my friend
here'll have something to say.

- The Scarecrow needs you.
- The Scarecrow!

To act as hostage
while he does a little business, squire.

Come quiet, you'll not be harmed.
Make trouble, I'll blow your brains out.

There's a carriage waiting in the Lane.
Now, not a word so no one gets hurt.

I was told to bring you as far as here,
then leave you.

God bless you all.

- I have to leave you, Harry.
- You're a brave boy.

Give my love to father and to Kate,
and say I wish I could have seen them.

- Hurry, John.
- Coming. Goodbye, Harry.

Good luck.

All right, now.

We'll move down onto the beach,
further ahead.

Their boats will come in and pick you up.

Here's payment for some
passengers you're to take to Holland.

- Passengers? From here?
- Scarecrow.

You rogue, what do you want
with my daughter and me?

You'll thank me before the night is out,
squire.

What the devil?

Here are your passengers, dutchman.

Come on, hurry, hurry!

Harry! Harry, you're free. How?

What do you say now, squire?

Kate, it's your brother.

Harry?

Is it really you?

Why, you've grown into a beauty.

Take them to Holland
where they can board a boat for america.

- America?
- Take them off, mijnheer.

You're in enemy waters,
you smuggling rogue.

Time to go, Mr. Banks.
My men will escort you home, sir.

Your servant, Mr. Banks. Good luck.

So short a time. Goodbye, Harry.
Take care. Write to us, remember us.

- I will. Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Harry.

Hurry. Get aboard.

A new life, gentlemen,
the new world and freedom very soon.

Bon voyage!

And you suspected nothing when
you took the picket to the dungeons?

I had no reason to, sir.
Their papers were in order.

They didn't come to me for the key, sir.

- Neither did you.
- But they had a key.

How?

Didn't that seem strange to you?

No, sir.
I'm not familiar with jail procedure.

The men's actions seemed
normal and natural.

The deserter, the American,
they had the answer to everything I want.

Through them, I'd have smashed
the smuggling here.

You fool. Why didn't you see them
or hear them taken, if you were on duty?

Unless you were drunk or fighting.

- No. No, sir.
- Get out!

Yes, sir.

Imposters walk into the castle
and out again with prisoners

right under your very nose?

You saw them, sir. You were at the gate
when they marched through.

- It's all in my report, sir.
- Yes. Yes, it's all in your report.

I sent a copy to the admiral, sir,
about the deserter's escape.

To the admiral?

And another copy to the director
of public prosecutions, sir.

The director of public prosecutions
who will report to the king.

Thank you, Mr. Brackenbury,
that was very thorough of you.

- My duty, sir.
- Duty?

Dismissed!

"General pugh was at the gate."

Well, sir Thomas,
this is a strange story you tell me.

But, scoundrel or no, this Scarecrow
fellow freed Harry where I couldn't,

and arranged for you to say farewell.

As parson and squire,
we must hope for his capture,

but tonight, let's drink to him, shall we?

Hmm, well... I suppose so.

We may see
Harry again sooner than you think.

Both you and I.

I'm not staying in the army, Kate.
I can't after this.

I'm resigning my commission.

And let's drink to the young people, too.

He's a good lad and right for Kate,
you'll see.

Yes.

Yes, let's drink to them.

To Philip, to Kate,
and the Scarecrow fellow.

Whoever and wherever he may be,
the scoundrel.

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The soldiers of the king feared his name

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

The country folk all loved him
just the same

Scarecrow! Scarecrow!

Scarecrow!