"The Thorn Birds" (1983) TV mini-series

Writer:

Lee Stanley (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

27 March 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

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...

Plot Keywords:

Ranch | Australia | Priest | Catholic Church | Cardinal

Awards:

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

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)

Series Directed by
Daryl Duke		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Writing credits
Carmen Culver		(4 episodes, 1983)
Colleen McCullough		(4 episodes, 1983)
Lee Stanley		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Irving Paul Lazar	....	associate producer (4 episodes, 1983)
Edward Lewis	....	executive producer (4 episodes, 1983)
Stan Margulies	....	producer (4 episodes, 1983)
David L. Wolper	....	executive producer (4 episodes, 1983)
Lee Stanley	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Henry Mancini		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Cinematography by
Bill Butler		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Film Editing by
Carroll Timothy O'Meara		(2 episodes, 1983)
Robert F. Shugrue		(2 episodes, 1983)

Series Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Production Design by
Robert MacKichan		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Art Direction by
Robert MacKichan		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Jerry Adams		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Costume Design by
Travilla		(4 episodes, 1983)

Series Makeup Department
Del Acevedo	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1983)
Lee Crawford	....	hair stylist (4 episodes, 1983)
Marina Hart	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Sharleen Rassi	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Henry Kline	....	unit production manager (4 episodes, 1983)
George Taylor	....	post-production supervisor (4 episodes, 1983)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Gardner	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1983)
Warren Gray	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1983)
Eric Jones	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1983)

Series Art Department
Victor E. Petrotta Sr.	....	property master (4 episodes, 1983)
Ray Pedler	....	scenic artist (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Richard Wagner	....	sound (4 episodes, 1983)
Don Crosby	....	sound effects editor (3 episodes, 1983)
Al Kajita	....	sound effects editor (3 episodes, 1983)
Larry Kaufman	....	sound effects editor (3 episodes, 1983)
Alan Potter	....	sound effects editor (3 episodes, 1983)

Series Special Effects by
Doug Hubbard	....	special effects (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
David Stipes	....	visual effects (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Carol Daniels	....	stunt double: Barbara Stanwyck, Rachel Ward (4 episodes, 1983)
Kim Kahana	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Colin J. Campbell	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)
Dave Friedman	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician (unknown episodes)
To Lee	....	camera assistant trainee (unknown episodes)
Johnny Walker	....	first assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Thomas S. Dawson	....	costume: men (4 episodes, 1983)
Donna Roberts	....	costume supervisor: women (4 episodes, 1983)
Jerry Herrin	....	costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Jay Alfred Smith	....	music editor (4 episodes, 1983)
Henry Mancini	....	composer: song "Anywhere the Heart Goes" (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Paul Pav	....	location manager (4 episodes, 1983)
Terry Sweeney	....	consultant (4 episodes, 1983)
Emmanuel Vouniozos	....	on-set technician (4 episodes, 1983)
Father Terrance Sweeney	....	technical advisor (3 episodes, 1983)
Anne Warner	....	script supervisor (3 episodes, 1983)
Elise Ganz	....	studio teacher (unknown episodes)
Carol Green	....	unit publicist (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• David Wolper-Stan Margulies Productions
• Edward Lewis Productions
• Warner Bros. Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1983) (USA) (TV)
• TV1 (1997) (Estonia) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Toni Howard & Associates  casting

Runtime:

Israel:460 min | USA:477 min

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

David Wolper-Stan Margulies Productions

Trivia:

Kim Basinger was interested in and considered for the role of Meggie.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Through out the miniseries you see cars driving on the right-hand side of the road. This story takes place in Australia where they have always driven on the left side of the road. Additionally, the cars in the film are left-hand drive instead of RHD.

Quotes:

Meggie Cleary: The day that I first saw you at the Gilly station, you smiled at me, then you said my name. Then you touched me.
[She kisses him]
Meggie Cleary: And since that day, I have somehow known, though I never saw you again, that my last thought this side of the grave would be of you.
[shrugs]
Meggie Cleary: And there's nothing I can do to change it. Do you know how terrifying it is, that power you have over me?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Sopranos: College (#1.5)" (1999)

The Thorn Birds was an absolute wonder!

A story of life changing decisions and love, ripped apart by ambition. A love so pure, so desirable, it's forbidden. The Thorn Birds speaks of true decisions...true love.

The cast was a wonder. Richard Chamberlain playing Father Ralph was brilliant. Rachel Ward playing Meggie Cleary was marvelous. And the others in their own part was superb. I cannot imagine any others playing their characters as well as they did. What I saw in them that I did not in other films, was pure dedication. And that's what makes it a cast like no other. (But really seeing them as if the part they played was meant for them.)

This story is so much more than what it seems. It's hate, passion, and love all developed by the difficulties of growing up in addition to simply living life. What each of the characters go through is significant and should be watched alongside the main idea.

Seeing this miniseries at the age of 17, I can safely say that it is a masterpiece. I compare it to an artist's second canvas of painting. The first will definitely have mistakes. And even though you correct those mistakes the second time around, there's bound to be a few more. And still, it's acceptable. The little mistakes made are what makes it resplendent.

I can only hope that if you ever obtain an opportunity to see this, you do not pass it off. You will watch it with a smile on your face, tears in your eyes, and always with passion in your heart. I can be certain that you will not only watch it once, but various more times. It's one of those miniseries/film that you will not be able to let go of...ever!

It goes without saying that I found it amazing! And definitely my favorite.