Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Barbara Stanwyck, Christopher Plummer, Jean Simmons Directed By: Daryl Duke Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Collector's Edition, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Dolby, Miniseries, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: February 03, 2004 Running Time: 487 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 27, 1983
Product Description: Television epic story of interpersonal drama set against Australia's outback. When a priest does not return the affections of the owner of a large sheep ranch, she vows to influence him-- even from the grave. Genre: Television Rating: NR Release Date: 3-FEB-2004 Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com essential video: The second most-watched miniseries (after Roots) of all time, The Thorn Birds was originally broadcast in 1983 and captivated viewers with its story of a lifelong conflict between the spirit and the flesh. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Colleen McCullough, the production stars Richard Chamberlain as a Catholic priest named Ralph de Bricassart, whose life in Australia between 1920 and 1962 is one long torment as he pines for his lover, Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward), while seeking advancement in his clergyman career. The passion and the guilt make for compelling drama, but a stellar cast of supporting players adds muscle to the proceedings: Barbara Stanwyck (who won an Emmy for her work as Meggie's tough aunt), Jean Simmons, Richard Kiley, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Brown, and Mare Winningham. Chamberlain, who was something of the king of the miniseries form at the time, is very good in the lead, as is the often-underrated Ward. Their affair is indeed irresistible to watch, which proves to be true, too, of the story's thick weave of church politics, forbidden desire, social change over decades, and family secrets. --Tom Keogh
great I first saw this series when I was a child and found it to be wonderful. It still stands as a terrific miniseries, even if it is melodramatic. Ward is radiant, Chamberlain is excellent, Stanwyck and Simmons are remarkable. Incredibly tragic and romantic.
A Simple Review The Thornbirds
Its been almost thirty years since the novel The ThornBirds was Published and this miniseries captures the feel,depth,and asepect of this Novel by Colleen McCullough. I recommend though reading the novel first and then watching the miniseries .
Great movie I got this movie, Beautiful movie, My daughter got out of work around 5pm I asked her to look at some of the movie with me around 10pm I went to sleep, Around 3 PM I heard my daughter who is 22 yrs old crying and crying I thought something happen bad to her. I run into the TV room to see her still sitting in front of the TV looking at the movie telling me mom it is such a sad movie her eyes puffy red telling me. I love this movie. I had to laugh going back to my bedroom.
"What Sin Did You Commit?" ~ Necessary Sacrifices On The Journey To Becoming The Perfect Priest The `70's and early `80's were the "Golden Age" of the television mini-series producing such excellent films as; `QB VII' ('74), `Rich Man, Poor Man' ('76), `Roots' ('77), `Shogun' ('80) and of course `The Thorn Birds' ('83).
`The Thorn Birds' boasts an excellent cast of well-knowns and lesser-knowns along with some bright, new faces that for the most part delivered the most memorable performances of the production. Of course if you've seen the film you already know that when I speak of bright new faces I'm primary referring to the enchanting, adorable Sydney Penny in the role of little Meggie Cleary as the child who steals the heart of Father Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain), the ambitious Catholic priest who is to become trapped forever between his desires for both divine and human love.
The first half of the film featuring Sydney Penny is by far my favorite. Her relationship with the adoring Priest is innocent and nurturing and Sydney's smile lights up the screen with such warmth and love you can't help but fall in love with both her and the storyline.
Eventually Meggie grows up and is replaced by the stunning Rachel Ward, definitely not a bad swap but unfortunately from that point onward the film takes on the mood and texture of a harlequin romance dominated by Father Ralph's inability to act decisively and choose who he loves more, God or Meggie. The portrayal of his constant "inner struggle" made the plot a little too redundant at times. I think if I had heard him say "but I love God more" just one more time I might go mad.
Of course what irritates one viewer is quite often just what other viewers are looking for and I'm certain that some of what I've written will be preceived as a lack of sensitivity and experience in the ways of the heart (such is the fate of men). Be that as it may, the long enduring popularity of this film certainly cannot be denied, nor dismissed and its long overdue release on DVD is without doubt going to find a large, passionate audience anxiously awaiting to have their hearts broken all over again.
My Rating: -4 ½ Stars-.
Excellent no matter what version its in (The first one,anyway) I bought the video version years ago. I remember when The Thorn Birds first aired on broadcast TV. It was of such good quality. I thought the acting was excellent. I saw it multiple times on TV, and then bought the video when it first came out and was very expensive. I still cry when I watch it. It continues to be hard for me emotionally to get through it, but I watch it at least once a year. But I have to get the DVD, because the video is going the way of the dinosaur...
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