The Thorn Birds - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Shine · 01-16-2012, 06:41 PM

Over the last week I've been watching that 1983 miniseries based upon Colleen McCullough's 1977 novel The Thorn Birds. I read the novel first and loved it! Going into it I wasn't sure if I would like it but was a moving story that really touched my heart. I wasn't sure about the miniseries either going into it since I wasn't sure televison could do justice to such an epic novel. I am not a fan of made for tv movies and television miniseries. However, like the book I really am loving the movie. I especially love Rachel Ward as Meggie Clearly. I'm sure lots of other people have seen this miniseries and/or read the book and I would be very interested in hearing what anyone has to say.

Goldilocks · 01-21-2012, 11:01 AM

It's a classic!! I've seen it several times over the years and of course, have read the book.

When it came out in 1983, the Catholic Church had a fit because it portrayed Father Ralph as "immoral". But dang, Richard Chamberlain was hot in his portrayal! (This was long before he came out of the closet.)

I especially loved Barbra Stanwyck's role in this. She was fabulous as Mary Carson.

Shine · 01-22-2012, 06:40 PM

I think Rachel Ward is great as Meggie. I'm surprised that she didn't have a longer career. Christopher Plummer is also really good.

pearlgem4 · 01-24-2012, 06:27 PM

I have been looking at clips of the classic on YouTube. It brings back memories of watching it with my family as a teen in the 80's. I did not know it ranked #2 in popularity next to ROOTS. I miss the mini-series dramas. Much of TV today is crap. Richard and Rachel do sizzle as a couple! I heard the Catholic Church had a nervous breakdown over this film back in the day. I can imagine. Rachel is now a director, I read she also went back to college and earned her degree. Good for her. She and her husband Bryan reside in Australia with their kids. I think I read one of their daughters is an actress too. It's great they have been married nearly 30 years( Hear that Kim K!).
Richard C ages well, it's hard to believe he is pushing 80. I too was shocked when he came out the closet. I know that broke a lot of his female fans hearts. It will be

cool to see how they celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film next year.

UMFaninMD · 01-24-2012, 06:56 PM

I watched it back at the tender age of eight years old and it was good but my favorite 80's miniseries is Lace. Rachel Ward met her husband Bryan Brown on the set. I do know that I personally would have picked Bryan over Father Ralph!

pearlgem4 · 01-24-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

I watched it back at the tender age of eight years old and it was good but my favorite 80's miniseries is Lace. Rachel Ward met her husband Bryan Brown on the set. I do know that I personally would have picked Bryan over Father Ralph!

Hi,

I saw LACE the movie and read the book back in the 90's. Phoebe Cates was a beautiful girl. I did not know she was part Filipino. I think she is still married to Kevin Kline. I will have to see the movie again. Luke was cute, but he was a jerk regarding his family. Meggie almost died giving birth and not once did he show concern, at least not in the film. I do think Meggie was foolish to pine over indecisive Father Ralph all her life. Although his love for her was true, he was never leaving his vocation to marry her. In the 2nd TB flick, I do feel kinda sorry for Luke when he discovers Dane is not his son. he did care about the boy. I was shocked also in the second film the lovemaking scenes between Meggie and Ralph was more graphic.

01-16-2012, 06:41 PM	#1
Shine Forum Veteran Jeff Bridges Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 22,796	The Thorn Birds Over the last week I've been watching that 1983 miniseries based upon Colleen McCullough's 1977 novel The Thorn Birds. I read the novel first and loved it! Going into it I wasn't sure if I would like it but was a moving story that really touched my heart. I wasn't sure about the miniseries either going into it since I wasn't sure televison could do justice to such an epic novel. I am not a fan of made for tv movies and television miniseries. However, like the book I really am loving the movie. I especially love Rachel Ward as Meggie Clearly. I'm sure lots of other people have seen this miniseries and/or read the book and I would be very interested in hearing what anyone has to say.

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01-21-2012, 11:01 AM	#2
Goldilocks Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 08, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 648	It's a classic!! I've seen it several times over the years and of course, have read the book. When it came out in 1983, the Catholic Church had a fit because it portrayed Father Ralph as "immoral". But dang, Richard Chamberlain was hot in his portrayal! (This was long before he came out of the closet.) I especially loved Barbra Stanwyck's role in this. She was fabulous as Mary Carson.

01-22-2012, 06:40 PM	#3
Shine Forum Veteran Jeff Bridges Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 22,796	I think Rachel Ward is great as Meggie. I'm surprised that she didn't have a longer career. Christopher Plummer is also really good.

01-24-2012, 06:27 PM	#4
pearlgem4 Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Jan 24, 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 4	I have been looking at clips of the classic on YouTube. It brings back memories of watching it with my family as a teen in the 80's. I did not know it ranked #2 in popularity next to ROOTS. I miss the mini-series dramas. Much of TV today is crap. Richard and Rachel do sizzle as a couple! I heard the Catholic Church had a nervous breakdown over this film back in the day. I can imagine. Rachel is now a director, I read she also went back to college and earned her degree. Good for her. She and her husband Bryan reside in Australia with their kids. I think I read one of their daughters is an actress too. It's great they have been married nearly 30 years( Hear that Kim K!). Richard C ages well, it's hard to believe he is pushing 80. I too was shocked when he came out the closet. I know that broke a lot of his female fans hearts. It will be cool to see how they celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film next year.

01-24-2012, 06:56 PM	#5
UMFaninMD Forum Regular Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 618	I watched it back at the tender age of eight years old and it was good but my favorite 80's miniseries is Lace. Rachel Ward met her husband Bryan Brown on the set. I do know that I personally would have picked Bryan over Father Ralph!