Although almost 95 years old, the tale of Dr Syn aka the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh remains as popular as ever thanks to its charismatic rogue lead character, enthralling plot lines and the timeless setting of Romney Marsh. Romney Marsh Times sets the DVD to region 1 and settles down for an evening with Dymchurch's most famous smuggler.

Believed by some to be true, the tales of Dr Syn - the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Amazon link) are in fact a work of fiction by British actor and novelist Russell Thorndike. It's a testament to the historical, social and geographic accuracy and vivid plot lines that Thorndike packed into his stories that many believe them to be a genuine story.

The Scarecrow and Dr Syn Story
The story of Dr Syn follows the life and exploits of a brilliant Oxford scholar and preacher Christopher Syn. In second book of the series - the books don't follow the story timeline - Doctor Syn on the High Seas - the story of Syn emerges. It records a man happy with a quiet life until he is betrayed in love. Seeing his love seduced he casts aside his religious calling and sets off on a quest for vengeance across the world adopting the name of Captain Clegg, feared pirate.

In Doctor Syn Returns, he tries in vein to relinquish his life of vengeance and pirate captain and returns to Dymchurch, Romney Marsh, to settle down as the vicar only to be drawn back the life of the smuggler becoming the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

Further Adventures of Doctor Syn, followed by The Courageous Exploits of Doctor Syn and The Amazing Quest of Doctor Syn, recounts the continuing exploits of the Syn's dual life, at once respectable vicar and feared 'Scarecrow' head of the smugglers gang.

The Shadow of Doctor Syn has Syn rescuing people from the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution before he falls in love only to see the focus of his desires die, Syn then becomes much darker paving the way for bloodthirsty character in the first book Doctor Syn.

The seven books were published 1915 to 1944. Sadly only the first book is in print, following a republishing in 1998 by the Romney Bookshop.

Dr Syn Novels: Doctor Syn (1915) Doctor Syn Returns (1936) The Shadow of Doctor Syn (1944) Doctor Syn on the High Seas (1935) The Amazing Quest of Doctor Syn (1939) The Courageous Exploits of Doctor Syn (1938) The Further Adventures of Doctor Syn (1936)

Dr Syn on Film
In 1937, the story was converted to film by London Films Ltd and released as 'Doctor Syn'. In 1964, Disney commissioned a three part TV mini-series - 'The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh' - released as 'Dr. Syn, Alias The Scarecrow' in the UK - staring Patrick Mc Goohan which was later released as a feature film.

Hammer Film Productions released a horror version featuring Peter Cushing, as Captain Clegg renamed to Parson Blyss to avoid copyright problems with Disney.

In 2008, Disney released a limited edition Disney Treasures collection, called 'Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh'.

Dr Syn on stage & re-enactments
In 2001, a theatrical performance based on the Dr Syn story was performed at churches across Romney Marsh by a troop of professional actors, with the author's son - Daniel Thorndike, Michael Fields, Steven Povey and Ben Barton taking part. The last production was held at Dymchurch.

Every alternate year, Dymchurch holds the "Days of Syn" festival for fundraising, the last being in August 2008 with church services; talks and re-enactments at pubs and key locations from the stories. The pictures on this page are from the event.

Hopefully, another Dr Syn film will be released before Dymchurch's most famous smuggler celebrates his second century - rumour has it that Johnny Depp and Disney are discussing a remake but nothing has been confirmed.