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

User Rating:

7.9/10   

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 | Literature | 1960s

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)
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)

(more)

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
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:

Olivia Newton-John auditioned for the part of Meggie.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Fiona was playing the piano and Frank walked in while it was raining outside, you can see some equipment in the window.

Quotes:

Ralph de Bricassart: What kind of man is this Luke O'Neill, who roams about and doesn't even make a home for Meggie?
Fiona 'Fee' Cleary: The ambitious kind.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: An Offer She Can't Refuse (#3.13)" (1995)

Definitely among the best mini-series ever; worth watching, if only to catch outstanding performances by Barbara Stanwyck and Christopher Plummer.

Very well done; highly watchable. Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward are okay as the tortured lovers, but the acting kudos go to Barbara Stanwyck and Christopher Plummer. Stanwyck won an emmy for her role and Plummer was nominated for his. (He should have won.) Ms. Stanwyck's final scene is wrenching--the emotion came straight out of her guts and no matter how many times I see it, it chokes me up. She was one of the greats and it shows in this performance. Christopher Plummer's portrayal of "Vittorio," Ralph's friend and mentor in the church, is delightful and oh, so perceptive. He sees right through Ralph and we see what he knows in his eyes--subtle and convincing; a good role for Plummer. Numerous plot lines, interesting locations, adventure, romance, tragedy, strong cast, great music, thought-provoking theme, engaging script--I recommend it!