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"The Thorn Birds" (1983)
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showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"The Thorn Birds" (1983) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series
Overview
User Rating:
Writer:
Lee Stanley (writer)
Seasons:
Release Date:
27 March 1983 (USA)
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Tagline:
Desire. Passion. Scandal.
Plot:
This mini series covers 60 years in the lives of the Cleary family, brought from New Zealand to Australia to run their aunt Mary Carson's ranch...
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Awards:
Won 4 Golden Globes.
Another 10 wins
&
17 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Review: The Thorn Birds, the musical - a tragic disaster in Swansea
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 22 April 2009, 8:41 AM, PDT)
How Much Is New Media Worth?
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 26 November 2008, 10:39 AM, PST)
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 22 April 2009, 8:41 AM, PDT)
How Much Is New Media Worth?
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 26 November 2008, 10:39 AM, PST)
User Comments:
My opinions
more (55 total)
Cast
(Series Cast Summary - 23 of 24)| Richard Chamberlain | ... | Ralph de Bricassart (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Rachel Ward | ... | Meggie Cleary (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Christopher Plummer | ... | Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Stephanie Faracy | ... | Judy (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Barry Corbin | ... | Pete (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| John de Lancie | ... | Alastair MacQueen (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Barbara Stanwyck | ... | Mary Carson (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Jean Simmons | ... | Fiona 'Fee' Cleary (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Bryan Brown | ... | Luke O'Neill (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Brett Cullen | ... | Bob Cleary (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Bill Morey | ... | Angus MacQueen (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Holly Palance | ... | Miss Carmichael (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Richard Kiley | ... | Paddy Cleary (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Piper Laurie | ... | Anne Mueller (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Earl Holliman | ... | Luddie Mueller (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Philip Anglim | ... | Dane O'Neill (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| John Friedrich | ... | Frank Cleary (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Stephen W. Burns | ... | Jack Cleary (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Richard Venture | ... | Harry Gough (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Chard Hayward | ... | Arne Swenson (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Dwier Brown | ... | Stuart Cleary (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Allyn Ann McLerie | ... | Mrs. Smith (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Antoinette Bower | ... | Sarah MacQueen (2 episodes, 1983) |
Additional Details
Runtime:
Israel:460 min | USA:477 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Kim Basinger was interested in and considered for the role of Meggie.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Mary Carson is discovered dead, you can see Barbara Stanwyck's chest moving as she continues to breathe.
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Quotes:
Meggie Cleary:
That dear and gentle God who has taken from me everyone that I've loved most in the world. One by one. Frank, and Hal... and Stuie... and my father. And you, of course. Always you. If God is merciful... left me no one else to grieve.
Ralph de Bricassart: He is merciful, I know you can't see that now, but he is. He spared the rose. He sent the rain.
Meggie Cleary: Oh Ralph... who sent the fire?
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Ralph de Bricassart: He is merciful, I know you can't see that now, but he is. He spared the rose. He sent the rain.
Meggie Cleary: Oh Ralph... who sent the fire?
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in O videoklabas (1987) (V)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (55 total)
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I was only 2 when the miniseries first came out, but when I was in the 6th grade it was on TV, and the part that I saw that hooked me, was when Meggie was coming down the stairs at Mary Carsons birthday party. Ever since then it has been my most loved film of all time. I even showed it to my boyfriend and he actually liked it.
I wouldn't change anything from the miniseries and I believe that everyone in it were excellent, especially Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, and Christopher Plummer. I believe if anyone was played by a different person, it wouldn't completely satisfy us viewers. About a year ago I created a webpage dedicated to The Thorn Birds (only) so if you would like to see it, e-mail me or click through under the photos link if it is listed. Or just go to yahoo and do a search.
I also am writing a sequal of my own to it so if anyone is curious as to what it's about, don't hesitate to email me.
On a down note, they shouldn't have made the sequal 'the missing years'. The people in it weren't good enough at their character, only Richard Chamberlain was in it, and the storyline just didn't do anything for the original. If you haven't seen The Thorn Birds yet, just see Thorn Birds, and do not see the sequal unless you just want to see it to see how disappointing it is compared to the original. It also wasn't good to alter the actual characteristics of the original characters (such as Fee). Quite disapointing in my opinion, and many others seem to agree with me.
Enjoy! Long live The Thorn Birds! P.S if anyone knows if thorn birds will be coming out on DVD or know where I can contact someone to ask, please please PLEASE let me know!