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Season 1 – The Thorn Birds

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Thorn Birds Mar 1983 Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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Richard Chamberlain stars as a priest forced to make a choice between his feelings and his ambitions in this sweeping adaptation of Colleen McCullough's novel. Set in the early 1900s on a sheep station in the Australian outback, the 1983 miniseries follows members of the Cleary family, whose move to the sheep station leads to a pivotal relationship between young Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph. When the attraction between Meggie and Father Ralph becomes obvious, Meggie's wealthy aunt forces Father Ralph to choose between Meggie and his ambition to rise within the Catholic Church. Though he chooses the church, as decades pass he continues to be drawn back to Meggie, with sometimes disastrous consequences.
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The Thorn Birds — Season 1

Audience Reviews

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Laurian D @Laurian Apr 18 A masterpiece on all aspects. Unforgettable story, cast, music and cinematography overall. God bless everyone involved in this beautiful project. See more Marcus J @RT44134429 05/08/2024 Right up there with Shogun and Lonesome Dove as the best miniseries of the 80's. A little bit of magic and whimsy in this work. See more Read all reviews
The Thorn Birds — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Chamberlain

Father Ralph de Bricassart

Rachel Ward

Meggie Cleary

Barbara Stanwyck

Mary Carson

Christopher Plummer

Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese

Jean Simmons

Fiona "Fee" Cleary

Richard Kiley

Paddy Cleary

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 27, 1983 Father Ralph (Richard Chamberlain) must choose between his affection for Meggie (Rachel Ward) and the church. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 28, 1983 The tragic results of a fire bring Father Ralph (Richard Chamberlain) back to Drogheda; Meggie (Rachel Ward) agrees to marry sheep shearer Luke O'Neill (Bryan Brown). Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 29, 1983 Meggie (Rachel Ward) gives birth to a daughter, Justine; Meggie unexpectedly meets Father Ralph (Richard Chamberlain) while recuperating on a secluded island. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 30, 1983 Cardinal de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain) returns to Australia and takes Meggie's (Rachel Ward) son to Rome to study for the priesthood; Justine (Mare Winningham) finds love with a German diplomat (Ken Howard). Details
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The Thorn Birds — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Daryl Duke
Screenwriter
Colleen McCullough, Carmen Culver, Lee Stanley
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-14 (S)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 27, 1983