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The Thorn Birds
The Thorn Birds
Based on the bestselling novel, the film follows a priest and his struggle between his calling and his carnal lusts.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 Carson (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 grandmother), Jean Simmons, Richard Kiley, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Brown, and Mare Winningham. Chamberlain, who was something of the king of the miniseries fo
Rating: (out of 277 reviews)
List Price: $ 29.98
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Anonymous
October 7, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Review by for The Thorn Birds
Rating:
For anyone who has suffered through the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune in love, this 1983 mini-series will touch their hearts like no other film or tv series ever made. The casting was perfect in every way to bring the story of the Australian Cleary family to life so vividly (Jean Simmons as the mother “Fee” won the Emmy Award that year; unfortunately Henry Mancini didn’t for his gorgeous musical score, and he deserved to win!). While the main thrust of this story and film appears on the surface to be the love of a Roman Catholic priest for a young girl whom he sees grow into adulthood, the underlying, truly poignant aspect of this story is about the long-term affects of what happens to children when mothers love one child more than another. This theme is the real heart tugger here. Meggie is an afterthought to her mother Fee until the very end of the story (Frank is her favorite child, even though he is troubled, because Frank was the love child of an extra-marital affair), and later on when Meggie becomes a mother Dane is her favorite child (also a product of a clandestine love), and her daughter Justine is the afterthought. It is this basic lack of love that each child feels from his or her mother that determines the choices they make in life (i.e. Meggie choses to love someone who cannot commit to her, Justine choses to avoid love altogether and throw herself into acting to escape reality, Frank goes off and kills a man because he cannot deal with loving his mother too much, Ralph reveals his mother abandoned him early so he too inclines towards a non-committal type of love with Meggie and escapes through the church, etc.) The pattern develops early and continues throughout the lives of the Clearys. That is why, to me, the most profoundly moving scenes in this entire series are right near the end: 1) when the old Fee has to tell Meggie that her son Dane has died, and she caresses Meggie’s face for the first time in both their lives, and 2) the scene in the stable barn, between Meggie and Justine, as they confront the truth: that Meggie does love Justine, but Dane WAS the favorite child, for reasons beyond Justine’s control. In hugging Fee and crying in grief, and in resolving her differences with Justine, Meggie finally finds the peace she needs in life; she is then able to let go of Ralph when the inevitable takes him from her for good.
D. Knouse
October 7, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Review by D. Knouse for The Thorn Birds
Rating:
4.5 stars. There is really only one glaring flaw in this production, and it is that at the end of each section (there are 4 in all) there are snippets of foreshadowing taken from what will happen in the next section that are shown in montage form as a teaser to get the viewers to come back and watch. It made sense when showing it on television to try and sustain the viewers’ interest in this way, but on DVD it was a little annoying to see major plot elements revealed before I saw them unfold in due time. I wish that someone would have edited these snippets out for the DVD release. However, that is my only gripe. The story, acting, immense production value, and the romance all combine to create a fine show. The sheer size of this production is impressive, but it is the characters that are eventually the most memorable aspect of the story. It wasn’t until the end of the show that I realized I had formed an emotional connection to the characters that transcended the time in which this show was made. I was transported into their world, if only for a short while. It is certainly a journey worth taking. The price for this DVD package is excellent, as well. If you love epic romance stories then “The Thorn Birds” should be in your DVD collection.
Eric Pregosin
October 7, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Review by Eric Pregosin for The Thorn Birds
Rating:
Since I’ve already reviewed and bought both of these as separate items, I’m not gonna repeat anything about each show (see individual reviews for that). I will just rehash what I have all along. Despite its missing pieces from the book, the Original is still 5 star material. The “in betweener” is only worth it’s value because it is a disc copy (as opposed to a tape copy). My advice, buy the Original separately, and read the book to get the “real missing years”. If you are building a library of “ALL Richard Chamberlain”, then buy both or this combo. But be prepared to be disappointed in what the alleged “Missing Years” has to offer (again see separate review). By the way for those who pay attention to cosmetic details, in most places that sell this combo, The Missing Years is in a thin case “attached” to the box of the original while the separate release is in a see through normal size case. The notes on both programs are the same as on the separate copies.
Anonymous
October 7, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Review by for The Thorn Birds
Rating:
I first saw this mini series in 1983 when it first aired, I was 13! I watched each subsequent rerun and taped it. Even though I had it on tape I would always watch it again if it’s on, like on the Love Stories channel. In a word, “unforgettable”. If you are into romance novels, this is the ultimate romance. Forget the sappy, brainless, shallow Harlequins, this is the real thing. If you are into romance but haven’t read this book or seen the movie, you are missing out on something magical. Trust me, buy the book, rent the movie or buy it. You won’t regret it. You won’t ever forget it.The acting is first rate. I disagree with the previous reviewer about Rachel Ward, she does fine, in fact once you watch it you’ll want these people to be real. You’ll want to visit Drogheda! Barbara Stanwyck is amazing as the vindictive Mary Carson. The birthday party is one of many high points. Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Piper Laurie, Christopher Plummer, Mare Winningham, Earl Holliman, Richard Kiley, Jean Simmons, Bryan Brown are all excellent.The story starts out in 1920’s Australia and begins with Paddy Cleary and his family, including the very young Meggie Cleary (played by Sydney Penny of All My Children!) arriving at the Gilley Station, Father Ralph meets them and sees Meggie for the first time. I’ll leave it at that. From there, you won’t want to get up to go to the bathroom or get a snack until you have to change tapes.This is, in my opinion, the best mini-series ever on TV by far. The impact of this story was so great that they made a second mini-series in 1996 to satisfy fans. This time, without any of the original actors except Richard Chamberlain. It’s not horrible but doesn’t have any of the magic of the original. Even with that, you’ll want to see “The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years” after you’ve watched the original.Disregard the two reviews by the “Aussie’s”. They are completely off base and misinformed. First, the movie was filmed in AUSTRALIA, not OREGON. I live in Oregon and no where in Oregon looks like that. I remember reading that it was indeed filmed in Australia. Second, the accents are fine. Third, no Aussie actors? Bryan Brown anyone?The Thorn Birds is unforgettable. Take a rainy Saturday and watch it alone. The day will go by so fast, it will be dark when it ends and you won’t have noticed but you’ll have a big smile on your face and tears in your eyes at the end, if only because it is the end of the story.
Raquel L. Brassfield
October 7, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Review by Raquel L. Brassfield for The Thorn Birds
Rating:
Ok… first, I have to say that Tom Keogh, whose review sits above as the standard review for Amazon, needs to actually watch the movie. Opinion is one thing, but at least get the facts correct. Rachel Ward plays Meggie Cleary (not Meggie Carson) and Barbara Stanwyck plays her greedy, manipulative, devil-incarnate aunt…. not her grandmother. That aside…this still stands…for me at least, as the greatest mini-series ever! And, considering all the recent scandal surrounding the Catholic Church today, it is as relevant and thought provoking today as it was in 1983 when so many were incenced not only by the content and plot of the movie, but by its time of airing (holy week-the days leading up to Easter). The cast is perfection and makes an already engaging story about the inner battles of an ambitious Austrailan Priest (played by Richard Chamberlain who never looked more gorgeous)even more amazing. Not a single miscast here. The performances are phenomenal. This is a movie with that searing edge of forbidden love and the torment of unrequited love combined with a heavy dose of romance, great characters, manipulation, greed, and the progress of a family torn apart by various maladies. The chemistry between the all the characters is so apparent. It is a movie that makes you think and makes you cheer for something that is deliciously guilt-ridden. In case you couldn’t tell… I love this movie!!!!!!! This is a guilty pleasure to the highest degree… like the most decadent Godiva chocolate if it could be made in the form of a film. Buy it…keep it… watch it over and over. Perfect for a girls only party or a rainy saturday afternoon. Get some snacks… sit back and know that 8 hours will seem to float by.