Love. Unattainable. Forbidden. Forever.
The Thorn Birds
A priest torn between God and human passion. A beautiful girl desiring only what she cannot have. Five decades of ambition, fear, longing and revenge. From Colleen McCullough's bestseller, The Thorn Birds tells this epic story against the limitless horizons of Australia's Outback. With a brilliant all-star cast, this TV landmark won six Emmy Awards and remains one of the most beloved miniseries of all time.
Disc 1
Side A: Episode 1
Mary Carson (Barbara Stanwyck), the owner of a large sheep ranch, becomes enamored of parish priest Ralph de Briccasart (Richard Chamberlain) even as he takes notice of Mary's niece Meggie Cleary (Sydney Penny, later Rachel Ward). When Ralph does not return her ardor, Mary plots to influence his destiny - even from the grave.
Side B: Episode 2
Although drawn to Meggie, Rev. de Bricassart leaves the parish to begin his climb in the Church hierarchy. The Clearys (Jean Simmons and Richard Kiley) agree to run Drogheda, a decision that leads to catastrophe and death.
Disc 2
Side C: Episode 3
Ordained an archbishop in Rome, Ralph is still tormented by his love for Meggie, who marries Luke (Bryan Brown) in a desperate bid to forget him. Ralph returns to Australia to share his sensuous idyll with Meggie, although they both know their happiness cannot last.
Side D: Episode 4
Years after Ralph and Meggie consummate their love, Dane (Philip Anglim), the child of that union, enters the priesthood. Meggie is embittered that both the men she loves chose the church over her. But tragedy forces Meggie to make peace with Ralph, her family and herself.
The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years
What happened to Father Ralph de Bricassart and Meggie Cleary during the mystery years not covered in the original 1983 hit miniseries? The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years provides the spellbinding answer.
Richard Chamberlain returns as de Bricassart in this riveting companion to The Thorn Birds, based on Colleen McCullough's bestseller. During World War II, de Bricassart heroically rescues refugees in Rome, then is sent by the Vatican to the sprawling Australian sheep ranch he thought he had left behind forever. A reunion with Meggie (Amanda Donohoe) leads to new temptations and a profound crises: Meggie may lose custody of the beloved son conceived during the season of forbidden love they shared years earlier.
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