When customs and excise men arrive at the village of Dymchurch in Kent, they uncover an intricate smuggling network being coordinated by the local parson, Dr Syn. Unknown to all but a few lo... Read allWhen customs and excise men arrive at the village of Dymchurch in Kent, they uncover an intricate smuggling network being coordinated by the local parson, Dr Syn. Unknown to all but a few locals Dr Syn also hides a secret past, that he was once the notorious pirate Captain Clegg.When customs and excise men arrive at the village of Dymchurch in Kent, they uncover an intricate smuggling network being coordinated by the local parson, Dr Syn. Unknown to all but a few locals Dr Syn also hides a secret past, that he was once the notorious pirate Captain Clegg.
- Spectator in Coroner's Court
- (uncredited)
- Revenue Man
- (uncredited)
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough, the Hammer remake of this film, i.e. Night Creatures (1962), follows this movie closely, and was made at a time of less stringent censorship, this film ends with Captain Clegg escaping to fight another day, whereas the remake has him being killed.
- GoofsWhen Denis is watching Mr. Rash put a necklace on Imogene, in the shots inside the tavern her left hand is down, but in the shots from outside the tavern looking in, her left hand is raised up.
- Quotes
Dr. Syn: You're very fond of Imogene, aren't you?
Denis Cobtree: I am.
Dr. Syn: So am I. Then we're rivals. You're going back to London. Don't leave her with a broken heart.
Denis Cobtree: There's no chance of that. If there's to be a broken heart, it's more likely to be mine.
Dr. Syn: I'm thinking of Imogene's happiness.
Denis Cobtree: You mean, she's not in my class?
Dr. Syn: Yes.
Denis Cobtree: That's an argument as old as the hills and it doesn't impress me!
Dr. Syn: Denis, promise me you'll go away from here and think it over.
Denis Cobtree: I won't go away, Dr Syn, but I promise you I'll think it over.
- ConnectionsRemade as Night Creatures (1962)
The character of "Dr Syn" is displayed as the quietly pious but genuine pastor looking after his flock, is a credible cover for his secretive nocturnal activities of much merit & substance in their justice. Such justice is something that hardliners would portray as an extravagance they can do without. Indeed, people without a breath of vision won't find much here. They can just listen to too many politicians or shock-jock media personalities who could have an immediate fix to any confrontation without justice but suitable to themselves.
Dr Syn might have appeared to be a bible basher. But that is where his common bond with bigots & hypocrites ceases. He was of principle & integrity in his justice, remaining committed to the marginalised outcasts he is sympathetic to the cause of. As such, his expression of two seemingly conflicting characters neatly blends into his one person of integrity. No hypocrisy. No injustice.
In a dictatorship of such historical authority of that time, he is forced to present a message faithful to his faith, but remain loyal to his kin of broader vision & concern for true justice & friendship beyond lip service. He is a bridge between kingdoms of much merit. Such as were his friends were people not intending to crucify a king of heaven or be unjust traffic cops, across time & place. In a modern world, harsh & unmoved in raking up revenues for corrupt governments, it has much relevance to its message.
Of course, such things as rum-runs were anti-authority & subjective in judgement - something black & white thinkers who don't like others having free will, prefer to oppose. But the drama presented in "Dr Syn" is anything but black & white. The dilemmas of the broad-thinking parson not engulfed by religiousness as he might have been, are passionately voiced by the protagonist in actor George Arliss. If this final movie of his life was his only offering, it would have been a substantial contribution in an otherwise productive life & varied acting career.
I think the plot is a realistic one & believable in the era of small churches were scattered along the English coast, & has been verified as historical fact. In such places, activities such as illegal liquor trade & potential invasion were commonly witnessed or experienced threats, that caused the citizens to be wary & vengeful in forming any trust bar their most trusted relationships.
In reality, this movie is much more than an historical piece. Certainly, it is much more than a black & white movie as some may dismiss it!
- spj-4
- Apr 28, 2006
Details
- Runtime1 hour 18 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1