The Thorn Birds (1983)

Covering three generations of a family, "The Thorn Birds" is a big canvas. It's packed with emotional highs and lows that stretched the abilities of the cast, and over-stretched them occasionally. But the camera loved the three leads: Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown, while veteran actors Barbara Stanwyck and Jean Simmons added a touch of class.After the Cleary family arrive in Australia from New Zealand to work on Drogheda, the sheep station owned by Aunt Maggie Carson (Barbara Stanwyck), they meet Father Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain). He takes their daughter, 8-year old Meghann (Meggie), under his wing leading to a lifelong love between them. Meggie was played by Sydney Penny as a child and Rachel Ward as an adult. Although presented as benign and paternal, after all the revelations about child abuse within the church since the series was made, the relationship between Father Ralph and young Meggie is a bit disturbing. When Meggie reaches adulthood, Father Ralph can hardly control his feelings for her, but his faith and ambition hold him back, except for the odd moment of weakness. Father Ralph's rise within the church is reminiscent of Otto Preminger's "The Cardinal", especially the way his motives are challenged by a mentor played by Christopher Plummer in this case.The Cleary's fortunes ebb and flow and Meggie marries Luke O'Neill, a shearer played by Bryan Brown. One of the most fascinating sequences is when they head off to the cane fields in Queensland before their marriage falls apart. Megan and Father Ralph come together at the end where they are forced to confront the difficulties their love created. "The Thorn Birds" was filmed in California with Hawaii standing in for Queensland. The scenes of sheep and shearing are convincing and impressive. Not quite as convincing are the dodgy Irish accents of the mainly American cast. Maybe they would have been better off tackling dodgy Aussie ones instead. No problem with Henry Mancini's score though. He created a memorable theme inspired by songs such as "Bound for Botany Bay", and "Queensland Drover". "The Thorn Birds" endures with beautiful stars and a script full of insights into the nature of love and faith drawn from Colleen McCullough's novel. There are worse ways to spend a wet weekend.

My wife wanted to see this so I rented it on DVD & we saw it last night.There was one thing that bothered me during the movie...When Meggie went to and from Matlock Island, she had to be shuttled by boat. When Ralph showed up on the same island, he was dropped off by car. Why didn't he need a boat as well? I believe this deserves a filming oops! Perhaps as a holy man, he could drive on water??BTW, I also thought that Father Ralph and the other priest had a great chemistry together! Itis too bad the movie wasn't about a homosexual relationship within the church, cause those two appeared to be way into the man-on-man kissing scenes.

Wow! Best describes this brilliant film.No wonder Richard Chamberlain was known as the king of mini-series. He etched one unforgettable character after another.This time, he is Father Ralph Di Bricissart, who is loved by the town's wealthy Mary Carson. Barbara Stanwyck turned in a brilliant performance as Miss Carson. Her love for Father Ralph had no bounds. When he spurned her, she decided to fix him but good, even if it meant hurting her own family. That's exactly what she did by leaving her fortune to Father Ralph, thereby creating an embarrassing situation for him as well as the church.That being resolved, years pass and we are now finding out that a niece of Carson is romantically involved with Father Ralph. Dane is the result.The Australian outback is beautifully realized here. Jean Simmons, as the sister-in-law of Mary Carson is wonderful as well as the gentleman who portrayed her husband.A story of heartbreak and of the human spirit, "The Thorn Birds" is well recommended.

I have read the novel of "The Thorn Birds" and i love this novel a lot, just i wish to have the chance to see the movie or the series.i advise every one to read the novel. and i than Colleen McCullough for her genius brain. so if any one knows where i can find this series i will be thankful. please send me the link and i will download it. and any news about this novel tell me about it i wish Colleen McCullough all the best.i have to talk about the TV series but i didn't see it, please some one tell me what to do. it is difficult to talk about something you didn't see, but i will try my best and i will write about this TV series when i see it in the future so enough talking about it.thanks