The Thorn Birds

The Thorn Birds (1983)

Genres - Drama, Action, Adventure  |   Sub-Genres - Period Film, Religious Drama, Romantic Epic  |   Run Time - 180 min.  |   Countries - Australia, United States  |  
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen McCullough, the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds was set in Australia and covered the life of Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain), a Roman Catholic priest engaged in a constant struggle between his calling and his carnal desires. The miniseries concluded with part four, first telecast in a three-hour slot on March 30, 1983. Covering a time span of nearly 30 years (1935-1962), this final chapter focuses on the lives of Meggie's (Rachel Ward) children -- flamboyant aspiring actress Justine (Mare Winningham) and would-be priest Dane (Philip Anglim) -- neither of which have any inkling (at least, not at first) of the past relationship between their mother and Cardinal de Bricassart, aka Father Ralph.

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Keywords

priest, love-vs-duty, rancher, struggle, Catholicism